Monday 23rd July 2012

Peugeot 208 GTI gets go-ahead

Paris show debut and 2013 release for the return of the GTI Pug

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Peugeot is to put a GTI version of the new 208 hatch into production next year, following on from the 208 GTI concept it showed at Geneva in March.

The new car will get its public debut at the Paris motor show this autumn, before going on sale in 2013. Beneath the bonnet will be the same BMW-PSA developed 1.6-litre turbocharged engine used in the Mini and DS3.

Two versions of the car are likely to be offered, with a 155hp output as 'standard' and a beefier 204hp for a top-end car, which could be called the 'GTI Racing'.

But Peugeot has lost its reputation for fast hatches of late, effectively handing over the responsibility for fun French hot hatches over to Renault for the past decade or so. But will the return of the GTI name resurrect the spirit of the old Pug hot hatch GTI and bring Peugeot back to the forefront of the performance hatch market?

The answer is unfortunately an emphatic 'maybe'. Because although Peugeot is indeed bringing back the GTI badge and although it will almost certainly be less wet than the 207 GTI, the 208 is not a signal for Peugeot to start chasing after Renaultsport.

Speaking with Autocar, Peugeot UK's managing director Tim Zimmerman said: "We have to find our own niche, and one in which we can expect to sell a significant number of cars. The Renaultsport route has its own appeal, but it is not the way we want to go. We want more emphasis on everyday usability, where we think we'll find a larger audience.

[peteA]

Ok...I'm going to just say it ....205 Gti

There.

Looks like a smart car but the 205 is this cars biggest problem...that and the 106...and the 306...

[DanDC5]

Looks great but it needs to drive a lot less like a modern Peugeot if it's going to be any good as a hot hatch.

[vrooom]

look far too big and heavy for small power output.

[thewheelman]

Good looking car, now await some idiot to compare it to a 205 GTi & complain that it's too heavy

[mnkiboy]

The 155bhp model sounds like it will be lacking in performance. Maybe it should be badged 'GT' or 'XS', rather than GTi.
The 204bhp version sounds better, as long as it doesn't cost the same as Citroen's DS3 Racing.

[Dalesman2012]

Looks quite nice, I like this car.

[School boy]

Compared to the 205 GTi it will be rubbish & it's too heavy.

That ok for you?

Edited by School boy on Monday 23 July 12:41

[rossub]

Surely 155 bhp is more deserving of an "XSI" badge. Not going to cut it as a GTI really is it?

[sjabrown]

Sadly there'll never be another 205 GTI. The numbers on the 208 don't look too good - not a huge amount of power for the weight, so I hope they've done somethign special with the chassis.

[Grodecki]

It looks like it's been clubbed in the nose.

[thewheelman]

School boy said:

Compared to the 205 GTi it will be rubbish & it's too heavey.

That ok for you?

Well that saved some time

Being serious for a second, comparing it to a legend is unfair from the start. Plus, we're never going to have cars like that again. If this car is compared to its modern day rivals, it may have a fighting chance.

I also agree that a 155bhp GTi is a little tame for our times for a hot hatch, the 204bhp model should be more interesting.

Edited by thewheelman on Monday 23 July 12:28

[ikarl]

I'm lazy

what was the power-to-weight of the 205 gti compared to this?

[Vilhelm]

The reviews I've read about the 208 have mostly been favourable, and it is supposed to have a good, (relatively) light chassis. It sounds like a good place to start, though I don't see the point of offering a lower-powered version.

[Twincam16]

Interesting. I worry that they'll end up falling between two stools with this. If they don't go chasing RenaultSport (possibly because they know they'll lose), we'll be denied the nuttermobile spiritual successor to the 205 GTi 1.9, given that the Twingo and Clio do this rather well.

However, I can't see them doing the weighty 'GT car in a hatchback shell' that VW do either, so they may end up as a bit of a neither-here-nor-there halfway house. Really hope they don't, but we'll see.

[dougc]

205 must have been about 130bhp/tonne since it was made of baguatte crust and copies of Le Monde.

My guess this is 1.5t+ and 200bhp?

[GTIAlex]

Twincam16 said:

Interesting. I worry that they'll end up falling between two stools with this. If they don't go chasing RenaultSport (possibly because they know they'll lose), we'll be denied the nuttermobile spiritual successor to the 205 GTi 1.9, given that the Twingo and Clio do this rather well.

However, I can't see them doing the weighty 'GT car in a hatchback shell' that VW do either, so they may end up as a bit of a neither-here-nor-there halfway house. Really hope they don't, but we'll see.

This

[r1ch]

I'm optimistic about the 208 GTI. I had a walk around the 208 the other day and it's a nice size for a hot hatch, interior looks really nice too.

There is always a chance it will be a flop though because as we all know Peugeot lost their way with hot hatches many years ago. Do it properly or not at all, Peugeot.

It's funny nearly 30 years on people still compare new Peugeots to the 205 GTI. There will never be anything like a 205 again.

[StottyZr]

dougc said:

205 must have been about 130bhp/tonne since it was made of baguatte crust and copies of Le Monde.

My guess this is 1.5t+ and 200bhp?

It'll be about 1200kg. Stop exagerrating!

[iain1970]

Based on 205 GTI myth and legend, the 155hp version of the 208 will be "sweeter".

Pffft.

[E38Ross]

That front end is hideous!