Monday 3rd September 2012

Peugeot 208 GTI: pictures

Gauntlet to new Clio RS is thrown by Peugeot; a new hot-hatch rivalry is born

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2013 could well be the year that the Renaultsport Clio 200 loses its small hot hatch crown; not only does it see the launch of a new Ford Fiesta ST, the Peugeot 208 GTI also reaches Britain.

It looks good, but how will it drive?

Official pictures released by Peugeot ahead of the car's expected debut at the Paris Motor Show give plenty to be excited by. The GTI sits lower than the standard car on tracks widened by 10mm at the front and 20mm at the rear. 302mm (front) and 249mm (rear) brakes can be seen through 17-inch wheels, whilst a twin exhaust and a discreet bodykit certainly give the 208 GTI an air of sporting intent. It's even got the model designation on the C-pillar, and we all know which car that's intended to evoke memories of...

The 208 GTI is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine also found in the Mini Cooper S and Citroen DS3. Here it produces 200hp and 203lb ft of torque, which allows for a 0-62mph time of less than seven seconds, according to Peugeot. Though it hasn't released an official top speed, a figure around 140mph is likely. Breathing through a reworked exhaust system, Peugeot claims an "appealing sound that delights the ears at all

GTI addenda is subtle

engine speeds". We'll have to take their word for it until next year...

Peugeot appears to have gone to great lengths underneath the 208 GTI to produce a rewarding car. It features recalibrated (read firmer) springs and dampers, a new anti-roll bar, and an increase in stiffness for both the front subframe and rear crossmember. Moreover, at 1,160kg, the 208 GTI is 80kg lighter than a Renaultsport Clio 200. Peugeot also proudly boasts of a fully switchable ESP system, a welcome concession to the likes of us and hopefully a sign of confidence in the car's abilities.

For the interior, the transformation from standard 208 to GTI is as you would expect of a hot hatch makeover; aluminium pedals and gearknob, flat-bottomed steering wheel and

Read-over-the-wheel instruments remain

some extra splashes of colour on the leather seats.

Prices are yet to be confirmed but expect it to be north of the £17,930 Renault asks for the Clio 200 and probably nearer the £19,555 of the VW Polo GTI. Exciting times and a hopeful return to GTI glory for Peugeot then. But, hang on, who else is that coming to Paris? Ah yes, the all-new, turbocharged, twin-clutched Renaultsport Clio. Game on!

 

[Agoogy]

I've seen a couple of 208s on the road now, a squat muscley looking thing...the interior is an interesting mess unfortunately, but this is hopefully a sign of a 'new begining'...

[BBS-LM]

Looks like a good effort from Peugeot, and I'm liking the weight figure 1,160kg.

[kambites]

Best looking small hatch on the market? It certainly looks it to my eye and I wouldn't have imaged that I'd be saying that about a Peugeot a few months ago.

[tbc]

whoever buys one will have more problems than it has horsepower within a few months of ownership

[a11y_m]

Fairly generic on the outside.
Utter mess inside.
Decent engine.
Good to see weights coming down a bit.

Just hope Peugeot can sort out the handling and it should be a good 'un in that segment.

[em177]

Hmm....come one weight figures. Lets keep dropping!

[jon-]

The 208 is one of the worst modern cars I've driven. Utterly useless in every way, from totally uncomfortable seats / driving position, horribly over assisted brakes / steering with no feel, pedals spaced out really weirdly, gearbox worse than my girlfriends 10 year old KA, terrible chassis dynamics. I'll stop.

They'll really need to polish a turd to recover this one.

[Frimley111R]

Nice to see a bit more colour being added to car interiors these days.

[Hellbound]

jon- said:

The 208 is one of the worst modern cars I've driven. Utterly useless in every way, from totally uncomfortable seats / driving position, horribly over assisted brakes / steering with no feel, pedals spaced out really weirdly, gearbox worse than my girlfriends 10 year old KA, terrible chassis dynamics. I'll stop.

They'll really need to polish a turd to recover this one.

Free servicing, insurance, finance, fuel, and free access of dealers wife over 3 years.

Still not tempted.

[MrScrot]

Saw a four door of one of these in Spain on my holiday. In the flesh, it looked horribly out of proportion from all angles. Also, why did they not put red carpet in? For the money I’d rather have an original 205 and then a second hand Mondeo for reliable driving. I say this because I have a CTi and it breaks down a lot, not because I hate peugeot.

Anyhow will reserve judgement until a proper driving review comes out.

[dave_s13]

That over-the-wheel (whatever it is) clock position looks a bit dodgy. Surely it'll obscure your view.

Not that I care, I would never buy a peugoet.

[jon-]

Hellbound said:

jon- said:

The 208 is one of the worst modern cars I've driven. Utterly useless in every way, from totally uncomfortable seats / driving position, horribly over assisted brakes / steering with no feel, pedals spaced out really weirdly, gearbox worse than my girlfriends 10 year old KA, terrible chassis dynamics. I'll stop.

They'll really need to polish a turd to recover this one.

Free servicing, insurance, finance, fuel, and free access of dealers wife over 3 years.

Still not tempted.

Depends how fit she is.

I forgot to mention the bit I did like. The steering wheel was nice and small with a good grip feel (NOT steering feel.) In totally the wrong position, but nice to hold.

[nick_mcuk]

MrScrot said:

Saw a four door of one of these in Spain on my holiday. In the flesh, it looked horribly out of proportion from all angles. Also, why did they not put red carpet in? For the money I’d rather have an original 205 and then a second hand Mondeo for reliable driving. I say this because I have a CTi and it breaks down a lot, not because I hate peugeot.

Anyhow will reserve judgement until a proper driving review comes out.

Well my 137k Mile 205 GTI has never broken down or missed a beat....200 miles covered this sunday for the PH Sunday Service pure joy!

I have to say my 25 year old 205 1.9 GTI has had less faults than my 2010 Audi A6 TDi....

205 are old cars now and need proper maintenance to keep them running right....if you dont do this you are going to have reliability issues!

I for one am looking forward to the national launch of this car not because Peugeot want to use my 205 GTi next to it but because from what I have seen and heard this is going to be the closest thing in many years to the legend that was the 205 GTI.

[freakynessless]

Looks like a Fiat 500 with Peugeot badges - from the outside anyway.

[fathomfive]

The interior isn't very coherent at all and obviously designed around having to squeeze a portable TV into the dash.

[Ekona]

Sadly just like the 206GTi and 207GTi before it, it's going to be mediocre rubbish. Nothing Peugeot have done recently should give anyone any optimism at all that this car might actually be anything like the 205 in terms of being fun.

[r1ch]

I have faith in the 208 GTI i think it'll be good.

[j44esd]

Hellbound said:

Free servicing, insurance, finance, fuel, and free access of dealers wife over 3 years.

Still not tempted.

I'm getting old. I first read that as '...free access of dealers wifi...'

[kambites]

Ekona said:

Sadly just like the 206GTi and 207GTi before it, it's going to be mediocre rubbish. Nothing Peugeot have done recently should give anyone any optimism at all that this car might actually be anything like the 205 in terms of being fun.

The RCZ is pretty decent. Agreed with their other "sporty" cars, though.

[LuS1fer]

It looks a little bland and certainly not stand-out in any way. I'm no fan of the DS3 but it is a unique (thank the lord) design.

I'll reserve judgement until the road test but it still looks a bit dull and generic but so do most modern cars.