New Peugeot E-208 GTi Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

The 1980s saw the rise of the hot hatch with the introduction of iconic models including the Golf GTI, Renault 5 Turbo, Ford Fiesta XR2 and of course Peugeot’s 205 GTi. These all took nippy, practical runabouts and transformed them into something lairier by adding more power, a sportier stance and a fair share of “go-faster” decals. Now, for the first time Peugeot is applying the same formula to the E-208 to create the brand’s first all-electric GTi model. By revealing the car at this year’s 24 hours of Le Mans, Peugeot hopes to remind us of the 40-year history of GTi models in motorsport and how it aims to bring the same fun and engaging driving experience into the all-electric age.
• The E-208 hatchback is Peugeot’s smallest electric model and the first to get the sporty GTi treatment • Lowered, with more power and wider wheel arches, Peugeot promises the E-208 will be as fun to drive as the GTi models of old • It has a range of up to 217 miles • With 280 horsepower and a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds • Likely to arrive in the first half of next year • Expected to cost around £40,000

The E-208 GTi was designed by the Peugeot Sport team, so this is more than just a standard car with a few GTi stickers and a lick of bright 'Neon Red' paint – although Peugeot has made those visual changes too. At the front the E-208 GTi still has Peugeot’s signature three-claw lights, but it’s 30mm lower than the standard car with larger wheel arches to accommodate the increased distance between the wheels at the front and back. Underneath, the car’s chassis has also been tweaked to make the E-208 GTi sharper and there’s a specific Sport mode for driving on a track. The bold 18-inch GTi wheels have large holes in the shape of horseshoes which help with brake cooling and are a nod to the wheel design used on the 205 GTi. There’s also the addition of a front spoiler and a gloss black rear diffuser incorporating a rear fog light. Red highlights are a theme across the car, with red brake callipers, red wheel arches and red dashes in the grille.

Mirroring the outside, the inside also is bathed in red touches and GTi motifs. There are red carpets, red floor mats and red seatbelts, plus the sports seats get a central red stripe. Peugeot’s signature small, sporty steering wheel is clad in Alcantara with red details and features a central emblem which – yes, you’ve guessed it – glows red. Peugeot says the car’s steering has been calibrated to make it more responsive to match the sporty look of the new red display graphics. To make the experience more immersive still, Peugeot has added red ambient lighting and a synthesised engine noise which can be turned on and off. As this will be the range-topping E-208 the GTi will come with all the bells and whistles, plus the maximum levels of advanced driver assistance systems. You’ll also get things like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Peugeot’s i-Connect infotainment with TomTom-powered navigation and the E-208 GTi has vehicle to load capability so you can charge other devices using its battery.

While the standard E-208 has a choice of either a 50kWh or 51kWh battery and a range of up to 268 miles, the E-208 GTI will use a larger 54kWh battery with an official WLTP range of 217 miles – although it will probably be much less in reality if you drive the car as intended. Peugeot promises the E-208 GTi will be engaging to drive with additions such as a limited-slip differential helping to improve handling over the standard model. Peugeot Sport engineers have also worked to optimise the cooling system to protect the battery when the car is driven enthusiastically. When you need to plug-in, the E-208 GTi can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes using a 100kW DC rapid charger.

There’s no word on price yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it was in the region of £40,000 and the E-208 GTi is expected to arrive in the first half of next year.

Peugeot has recently made a few tweaks to trim levels in its line-up. The 208 has gained a new entry-level ‘Style’ trim which bring the starting price below £20,000. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum there’s a new range-topping ‘GT Premium’ grade for the 208 and the 2008. Peugeot has also introduced an all-wheel drive dual-motor version of the E-3008 and E-5008, the latter of which gains a five-seat option. Plus, the all-electric E-408 should be arriving in the UK soon.

Lots of electric cars are fast but making them fun and engaging to drive is a whole other matter. Obvious E-208 GTi rivals include the Abarth 500e, the Alpine A290 or the John Cooper Works electric Mini Cooper. However, the MG4 X-Power with its bonkers 435 horsepower would make a left-field alternative.