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It’s been nearly 5 years since Peugeot final provided a sizzling hatch bearing its iconic GTi badge, but it surely’s about to supply one once more – with an electrical twist.
The Peugeot E-208 GTi will make its international debut on June 13, the day earlier than the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race.
The arrival of Peugeot’s first battery-electric GTi was pre-empted by the corporate’s CEO Alain Favey in March this year.
No contemporary data has been launched previous to its world premiere, however Peugeot did promise the E-208 GTi can be “enjoyable to drive, agile, highly effective – constructed to ship an unforgettable driving expertise”.
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Peugeot Australia hasn’t bought autos sporting the GTi badge, which was first seen on the 205 hatchback within the Eighties, for the reason that 308 small hatch was axed right here in 2020, earlier than which the previous-generation 208 mild hatch and its GTi flagship have been discontinued domestically in 2018.
However earlier this 12 months Peugeot’s international CEO mentioned the French model “will reintroduce the GTi on the E-208 as quickly as attainable” in an effort to reconnect the historic marque with its sporty pedigree.
It additionally needs to recreate a hyperlink between its manufacturing fashions and its present motorsport efforts, together with the World Endurance Championship (WEC) during which it campaigns the 9X8 hypercar.
“I’m able to verify that we’ll reintroduce the GTi on the E-208 as quickly as attainable. We’ve made the choice that Peugeot GTi can be reintroduced,” mentioned Mr Favey.
“We need to proceed to nurture the status of the model for driving sensations and the truth that our automobiles produce explicit driving sensations, both as a driver or as somebody that’s being pushed within the automobile.
“We’ll begin with the 208 and [are] undoubtedly listening to your inputs, or what our clients will say as nicely.”
Like the newest E-208 (pictured right here) on which it is going to be based mostly, the reborn sizzling hatch can be all-electric, making it Peugeot’s first battery-powered GTi.
Nevertheless, Mr Favey, who mentioned reviving the GTi nameplate was amongst his prime priorities when he grew to become Peugeot CEO in February this 12 months, indicated a combustion-powered 208 GTi might comply with if there’s adequate shopper demand.
“We don’t exclude that there may be different executions of the 208 GTi below the GTi badge, however for at this time there’s completely nothing deliberate in that sense.”
Regardless of a slowdown in electrical car (EV) gross sales progress in key international markets, Peugeot’s first GTi EV will be a part of one thing of an electrical French sizzling hatch renaissance which additionally consists of the wild Renault 5 Turbo 3E and the Alpine A290 based mostly on the usual Renault 5 E-Tech.
As a part of the Stellantis group, Peugeot might match the E-208 with the identical powertrain because the Abarth 600e, given each compact hatches are based mostly on the automaker’s e-CMP platform.
The 600e employs a front-mounted electrical motor producing 175kW of energy and a Torsen limited-slip differential, with a 0-100km/h dash time of 6.2 seconds. There’s additionally a warmer Scorpionissima variant, which produces as much as 207kW of energy.
It’s attainable the E-208 GTi can be faster than the 600e if it’s lighter, and there’s additionally an opportunity a warmer particular version might be constructed alongside the Scorpionissima, which might be a religious successor to the earlier limited-run 208 GTi thirtieth by Peugeot Sport.
The final Peugeot 208 GTi guide bought in Australia in 2018 was priced at $29,990 earlier than on-roads and powered by a 153kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
In typical Peugeot GTi (and Volkswagen GTI) style, it despatched drive solely to the entrance wheels. The recent hatch had a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds.
The present, second-generation 208 (launched in 2019) is but to be launched Down Underneath, regardless of being beforehand confirmed for native launch in 2024, though Peugeot has mentioned it might nonetheless be bought right here in electric E-208 form.
In September 2024, Peugeot Australia mentioned it nonetheless had plans to develop its EV lineup past the E-2008 small SUV and E-Partner supply van, but not until 2025.
Native Peugeot importer Inchcape is but to verify which EVs it should launch right here this 12 months (if any), however the French automaker did obtain Australian Design Rule certification for the E-208 again in 2023.
A single variant appeared in federal authorities approval paperwork, powered by an 115kW electrical motor and a 51kWh battery pack. In Europe, this configuration affords a claimed 400km of electrical vary.
Whereas a restricted variety of E-308s arrived in Australia final 12 months, Peugeot has but to verify when it’ll provide the E-2008 once more, and has stopped in need of confirming different EVs just like the E-3008 and E-5008 for our market.
MORE: Everything Peugeot 208