Peugeot is set to channel the spirit of the legendary 205 GTI hot hatch with the range-topping performance version of the next 208.
The French manufacturer has already revived the GTI performance sub-brand for a hot new version of its e-208 electric supermini - and now CEO Alain Favey has told Autocar that it will add more GTi models as it moves to put "great driving sensations" at the core of its brand positioning, which is likely to apply to the next iteration of the 208 hatch, due in 2028.
The e-208 GTI is the latest entrant into the growing field of electric hot hatchbacks and will take on the Alpine A290, Cupra Born VZ and incoming Volkswagen ID Polo GTI with 278bhp, a 5.7sec 0-62mph time and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
It is the first GTi hot hatch that Peugeot has launched since the previous-generation 308 range-topper arrived in 2015. Favey said: "We would not do it if we didn't think that we want the GTI badge to continue existing in future. So definitely we will make sure that there is a future for GTi which goes beyond just that one."
Favey stopped short of giving any details about the form that these future hot hatchbacks will take but said: "The important thing is to make sure that wherever there is a GTi badge, you get an experience that is one of a kind and absolutely the top in the category."
Peugeot revealed the e-208 GTi in June at the Le Mans 24 Hours and will begin taking orders at the 2026 race before starting deliveries by the year's end, so there will be almost 18 months between the unveiling and customer deliveries a lengthy lead time that, said Favey, is testament to Peugeot's lofty ambitions for the GTI.
"That's just the time it takes to get the car ready," he said. "We want the car to be really top in its category and really a credible hot hatch, and that's as long as it takes."
Acknowledging Alpine's Renault 5-based A290 as the primary benchmark for Peugeot's engineers, Favey said the e-208 GTi "will definitely be better than its similarly conceived compatriot - at least, that's what we hope to be".
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I get that CO2 penalties in France are terrible, but surely Stellantis is a Global brand? We know what ever hardwear they stick under the 208 will go into countless clones, most of which will be sold in markets with less CO2 penalties. Even the EU have given the green light for petrol to continue in limited form, so why not make petrol GTis as well, even if the French cant have them.
Glad I didn't wait for that hideous monstrosity and ordered the current model.