Peugeot puts the GTi badge on its electric E-208!

Peugeot unveiled the new E-208 GTi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. A highly symbolic setting to reveal the sporting version of its electric city car.

It was a question of which manufacturer would be the first to place the GTi logo on the body of an electric car. We expected Volkswagen, but it is ultimately Peugeot that opens the Pandora’s box. A reinterpretation of the legendary 205 GTi? Not exactly, rather a continuation of a philosophy according to the lion brand. A smart choice that avoids having to explain what connection the “i” in injection could possibly have with a 100% electric powertrain, logically devoid of fuel injectors…

Peugeot reconnects with its sporting heritage by introducing a model that combines tradition and innovation. The history of GTis at Peugeot began in 1984 with the 205 GTi, which quickly became a true automotive icon. Lightweight, nimble, and equipped with a sharp chassis, it quickly won the hearts of enthusiasts. Initially powered by a 1.6 engine of 105 then 115 hp, it later adopted a 1.9 engine with 130 hp. Its commercial success and sporty image forged in the 80s have permanently marked the DNA of the lion brand. Even today, the 205 GTi remains a reference in driving pleasure and is a highly sought-after model in the collector’s market.

Not just anyone can be a GTi

To claim this heritage, it was not enough to graft a bigger engine onto the E-208. Peugeot understands this well and presents a car developed by Peugeot Sport engineers, ensuring sportiness and a certain legitimacy to claim GTi status. Its M4+ engine develops 280 hp with 345 Nm of torque, with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. It is powered by a 54 kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 350 km in mixed WLTP cycle.

The design of this version is based on the Peugeot E-208 platform launched in 2019, which, despite the years, remains a benchmark in terms of road qualities. The GTi adds technical elements from motorsport, such as a chassis lowered by 30 mm, wider tracks, and a limited-slip differential. These choices aim to provide precise road holding and dynamic behavior without compromising daily usability.

Red to Illuminate a Heritage

Aesthetically, the E-208 GTi claims its lineage with the 205 GTi through visual nods: lighted rims, widened wheel arches with red accents, and specific lighting signatures. The interior also keeps the GTi codes with omnipresent red, sport seats inspired by the past with a tribute to the fabrics of the 205, and a compact steering wheel wrapped in leather and alcantara. Whatever the body color choice, Neon Red is ubiquitous, from the logo to the lower part of the rear spoiler. Mathias Hossan, Design Director at Peugeot, even states that the car’s design started with the choice of red carpets in homage to the 205.

However, this GTi is a 21st-century car, and it integrates the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit system with digital display, connected navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The driving aids are comprehensive, as are the comfort features.

The E-208 GTi is also distinguished by its guaranteed French origin. Its motor is manufactured in Trémery, Moselle, and its design is ensured by the French teams at Peugeot Sport. French partners, like Michelin for the high-performance 18-inch tires, have contributed to bringing this project to fruition, quite beautifully, it must be said.

This car will serve as a true test for the French manufacturer and the automotive industry in general. Is a sporty label just a philosophy or the association of very specific ingredients? The Peugeot E-208 ensures it provides all these elements, but no one can evade the question of the absence of noise and vibrations typical of combustion engines. The E-208 GTi now has just over 24 months to provide answers to these questions as the next generation of the Peugeot E-208 will arrive in 2027, with a GTi variant planned for 2028 on the new STLA Small platform.