Yesterday

Peugeot e-208 GTI revealed in full

Enjoyed last year's concept? Good - the real thing is just about identical

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So, here it is then: Peugeot’s vision of an electrified GTI future, the e-208 GTI. Looks pretty familiar, right? Very much a deliberate ploy. See last year’s e-208 GTI concept, also shown at Le Mans, was met with such an enthusiastic response (or so Peugeot says) that the decision was made to keep the real thing as close to the preview as possible. 

In what is actually pretty typical Peugeot hot hatch fashion, the new GTI isn’t outlandish. There are red accents, chunky wheels tucked up into extended arches, and C-pillar badges just like you-know-which GTI. The interior is redone with an abundance of red accents and heavily bolstered sports seats. The 208 isn’t trying quite as hard as something like an Alpine A290, complete with its ‘crossed out’ driving lights like an old race car, but from here it looks a whole lot more exciting than the Corsa GSE. Exactly where a Peugeot GTI should sit. The standard e-208 is a pretty enough looking thing; this GTI ramps up the aggression without totally butchering that appeal. 

Speaking of the Corsa, expect a lot of its specs to match the Peugeot, given they’re both built on the Stellantis e-CMP architecture. Plus, if the styling of the 2025 concept has continued largely unchanged, let’s hope for the same from the mechanical spec: last year Peugeot was promising 280hp, a limited-slip diff, hydraulic bump stops and Michelin Cup 2s. Just like the Corsa, in fact…

Full details are going to be announced about the e-208 GTI on Friday, a year since the concept was first shown. And from tomorrow, there will be blue, white and red examples on display in the 24 Hours village, representing ‘Peugeot’s French charisma’ as it marks a centenary since its first Le Mans. Might help with making a spec decision for later in 2026, too… 

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• New Vauxhall Corsa GSE unveiled with 281hp
  
• 2025 Alpine A290 GTS vs. Mini JCW Electric

[Frimley111R]

I think cars like this are essential for the EV movement and show people that EVs can be interesting, sporty and exciting instead of just white goods.

[Murph7355]

Corsa looks OK to me (save for the wheels).

EV's should be a godsend for Vauxhall as their engines were st.

Peugeot looks great too....oh to be 20 again

[otolith]

Murph7355 said:

EV's should be a godsend for Vauxhall as their engines were st.

I remember when their engines were great and the cars were st.

[Ben Lowden]

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

[otolith]

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

I do wonder how many people buy ICE automatics with paddles, play with them for the first month, and then leave it in D for the rest of their ownership. I have a feeling that probably happens with the Hyundais too.

[SpudLink]

otolith said:

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

I do wonder how many people buy ICE automatics with paddles, play with them for the first month, and then leave it in D for the rest of their ownership. I have a feeling that probably happens with the Hyundais too.

10k miles into DCT ownership and I still use the paddles 90% of the time.
It doesn’t feel right letting the car decide when to change gear. Too many years driving with a proper manual gearbox.

[bilo999]

ahh..... the Abarth 600 / Corsa / pug.....

it is criminal that they would picture that next to a 205 GTi .....

Stelantis are mixing pasta sauce, with ketchup, pizza, pineapple, Boeuf Bourguignon with fermented cabbage

what a mess.....

Edited by bilo999 on Monday 8th June 16:40

Edited by bilo999 on Monday 8th June 16:40

[SpudLink]

bilo999 said:

ahh..... the Abarth 600 / Corsa / pug.....

it is criminal that they would picture that next to 206 GTi .....

Stelantis are mixing pasta sauce, with ketchup, pizza, pineapple, Boeuf Bourguignon with fermented cabbage

what a mess.....

205. I m sure that s what you meant.

I do agree with your sentiment. It’s not the worst looking hatchback on the market, but it’s not great.

[otolith]

SpudLink said:

otolith said:

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

I do wonder how many people buy ICE automatics with paddles, play with them for the first month, and then leave it in D for the rest of their ownership. I have a feeling that probably happens with the Hyundais too.

10k miles into DCT ownership and I still use the paddles 90% of the time.
It doesn t feel right letting the car decide when to change gear. Too many years driving with a proper manual gearbox.

Perhaps depends how good the automatic is. With a really good one, it's like having a dog and barking.

[blistacompact]

bilo999 said:

ahh..... the Abarth 600 / Corsa / pug.....

it is criminal that they would picture that next to 206 GTi .....

Stelantis are mixing pasta sauce, with ketchup, pizza, pineapple, Boeuf Bourguignon with fermented cabbage

what a mess.....

Don't be mean, it will only be 700kg heavier than the 205.

[Frimley111R]

otolith said:

SpudLink said:

otolith said:

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

I do wonder how many people buy ICE automatics with paddles, play with them for the first month, and then leave it in D for the rest of their ownership. I have a feeling that probably happens with the Hyundais too.

10k miles into DCT ownership and I still use the paddles 90% of the time.
It doesn t feel right letting the car decide when to change gear. Too many years driving with a proper manual gearbox.

Perhaps depends how good the automatic is. With a really good one, it's like having a dog and barking.

I had an Evora auto and apart from when I was going on 'spirited runs' I never used it. 99% of the time you're in traffic or on motorways. That said I still got the lovely V6 sound.

I do agree that paddles like the 5N and fake gear changes would be ideal.

[M4cruiser]

280 bhp?
Who needs that?

[Magikarp]

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

What on earth for? You'll be asking for simulated noises next, and interior scents to simulate burning oil and fuel leaks.

[Lil_Red_GTO]

It would have been nice to see a static shot to see what the alloys actually look like.

[bilo999]

SpudLink said:

bilo999 said:

ahh..... the Abarth 600 / Corsa / pug.....

it is criminal that they would picture that next to 206 GTi .....

Stelantis are mixing pasta sauce, with ketchup, pizza, pineapple, Boeuf Bourguignon with fermented cabbage

what a mess.....

205. I m sure that s what you meant.

I do agree with your sentiment. It s not the worst looking hatchback on the market, but it s not great.

Correct sorry 205 !!!

[otolith]

M4cruiser said:

280 bhp?
Who needs that?

Same people who have always bought hot hatches?

[Hoofy]

SpudLink said:

10k miles into DCT ownership and I still use the paddles 90% of the time.
It doesn t feel right letting the car decide when to change gear. Too many years driving with a proper manual gearbox.

I've tried this whenever I have a car with paddles (behind the wheel) and it's really annoying if the paddles rotate with the wheel especially on sharp turns. Do your paddles stay in place? Any suggestions since my paddles move around? I much prefer the Porsche tiptronic system because you can see where the button is so I can change gear even if the wheel is "upside down."

[Hoofy]

Ben Lowden said:

I was really hoping to see some paddles on the steering wheel with this. I think if I'm ever going to find an EV 'fun', it needs to at least simulate gear changes like the 5N.

The Golf GTE still requires the paddles in E mode (as opposed to hybrid mode). I am not sure why but I kinda like it - it feels like it's in the right gear even if it really makes f all difference what with it running on the electric motor?

[spikyone]

"Up to 217 miles" of range, according to Peugeot's website. I understand it's a city car but that's comical - how low will it be if you want to drive it like a hot hatch?

[Sir Keith Stormer]

otolith said:

I do wonder how many people buy ICE automatics with paddles, play with them for the first month, and then leave it in D for the rest of their ownership. I have a feeling that probably happens with the Hyundais too.

Novelty wore off after about a fortnight in the CLS, it’s been in D ever since.