Forty years ago, PEUGEOT made automotive history by introducing the 205 GTi. In its 1.6L version (1984) and then in 1.9L (1986), the 205 GTi pioneered a new concept of the small sporty hatchback, combining exceptional performance and driving pleasure with a sporty yet subtle design, and unique versatility.
Over four decades, the PEUGEOT GTi label has marked the history of sports cars with several production models acclaimed for their performance and dynamic qualities – 306, 206, 207, 208, to name a few – and the history of motorsport with numerous victories, particularly in rally. GTi is not just a badge; it is a distinction that validates the excellence of some of PEUGEOT’s most iconic models.
Today, PEUGEOT continues to write the GTi legend by reinterpreting the DNA of this emblem in a fun, modern and assertive way. The new PEUGEOT E-208 GTi is the first 100% electric GTi. It is the expression of contemporary and sustainable driving pleasure, combining unique and class-leading performance in the B segment with exceptional everyday versatility.
The E-208 GTi is therefore more GTi than ever! Because PEUGEOT, more than ever, takes driving pleasure seriously. The E-208 GTi opens a new era for PEUGEOT GTi.
The result of the work of PEUGEOT Sport engineers and PEUGEOT designers, the new E-208 GTi offers the best performance in its category with elegance and discretion. A friendly, and somewhat humble car… for those who know.
The GTi DNA at the heart of the E-208 Gti
Like all GTi models for 40 years, the E-208 GTi is distinguished first by its strong stance on the road thanks to a body lowered by 30 mm and tracks widened by 56 mm at the front and 27 mm at the rear.
The large 18-inch wheels, signed “PEUGEOT GTi”, contribute to the powerful stance. Their perforated structure is a nod to the iconic “Hole” wheels of the 205 GTi. But on a GTi, design also serves performance: these holes also help optimise brake cooling.
The wheel arches are another meeting point between aesthetics and efficiency. They have been widened to accommodate the increased tracks and highlighted with an elegant and sporty red line – another nod to the 205 GTi. Their lower part is flared to clear the tyres, which helps accentuate the sporty style of the car… without overdoing it.
The design work done on the lower parts of the front and rear facias further tactfully reinforces the sporty stance of the PEUGEOT E-208 GTi. A front spoiler has been added to the bottom of the front bumper. The specific aerodynamic diffuser located under the rear bumper, which integrates a new small LED fog light, has been tinted in glossy black for more elegance and discretion.
Finally, on the E-208 GTi, red is the colour! It receives an exclusive bright red body colour, which is a powerful nod to the iconic red paint popularised on the first 205 GTis.
The iconic red colour of PEUGEOT GTis also brings its dynamism and energy to the interior of the E-208 GTi.
The bright red carpets, floor mats and seat belts of the E-208 GTi, like those of the 205 GTi, immediately create a sporty atmosphere in the cabin.
The sporty and elegant design of the specific front seats, with integrated headrests, pays tribute to the design of the 205 GTi 1.9 seats with a central red trim that extends across the seat and backrest. Not to mention the red mesh on the right side of the seats recalls that of the 205 GTi 1.6.
The compact steering wheel, a key element of PEUGEOT driving pleasure, features perforated red leather combined with Alcantara and a central emblem that also turns red.
Like all PEUGEOT GTis, the E-208 GTi combines sportiness and elegance. GTi-style refinement is expressed through small touches of red applied with finesse but enthusiasm on several elements of the E-208 GTi: in the grille, around the PEUGEOT emblems, in the headlights, on the wheel arches, on the front brake callipers, under the rear spoiler, on the stitching that extends across the dashboard…
French ’savoir-faire’, French Excellence
The E-208 GTi was fully designed by the PEUGEOT Sport teams based in Satory, Paris, with the collaboration of the PEUGEOT design teams in Vélizy, also near Paris. With their unique experience in competition, PEUGEOT Sport engineers made no compromises in terms of efficiency and performance. The result is convincing: the E-208 GTi is the most powerful and high-performing model in the B segment.
The E-208 GTi is the first all-electric car designed by PEUGEOT Sport.
The experience gained by the team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the PEUGEOT 9X8 hybrids competing in the Hypercar category was valuable for the design of the E-208 GTi, particularly for optimising thermal management and energy recovery. PEUGEOT Sport engineers also worked extensively on the chassis and braking of the E-208 GTi (see below). The reveal of the E-208 GTi at the heart of French and International motorsport, for one of the largest sporting events of the year, 24 Hours of Le Mans, is no coincidence. Taking the expertise from the track and applying it to the road.
The E-208 GTi’s powerful electric motor is produced in Trémery, in eastern France, a factory historically specialized in engine manufacturing, now dedicated to electric powertrains as part of the Emotors joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer.
The best electric performance in the B segment
The PEUGEOT E-208 GTi is equipped with the M4+ electric motor that develops 280 hp and offers an impressive torque of 345 Nm. The E-208 GTi thus offers the best performance of all models in the B segment: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.
The PEUGEOT E-208 GTi features a limited-slip differential integrated into the reducer that optimises cornering behaviour, providing agility, efficiency, and stability.
The CATL electric battery with a gross capacity of 54 kWh in the E-208 GTi benefits from optimised management that protects it in sporty use and a specific cooling system adapted to high performance.
The E-208 GTi features front discs with a diameter of 355 mm with fixed callipers with 4 pistons specifically designed to optimise cooling and ensure optimal and constant braking power in all circumstances.
The design of these exceptional performance brakes was supervised by PEUGEOT Sport engineers. Their red-painted callipers therefore bear this label of excellence. This is not the case for the rear disc callipers, which are those of the original E-208: the E-208 GTi is not about showing off but about efficiency.
A PEUGEOT i-Cockpit for enhanced driving sensations
The E-208 GTi features front seats designed to allow their users to “become one” with the car. They are particularly enveloping, both at the base and sides, and integrate the headrests. Providing effective support in sporty driving, they are also comfortable and practical in everyday life, ensuring the versatility that is part of PEUGEOT GTi’s DNA.
The sensitivity of the E-208 GTi’s steering has been specially calibrated to offer a particularly direct response suited to dynamic driving. The specific compact steering wheel (see above), helps provide unique driving sensations.
When drivers want to immerse themselves in a truly sporty atmosphere, the E-208 GTi is ready to play the game! The graphics of the digital instrument cluster and the central screen are red in standard configuration, and specific performance indication pages are also available.
The ambient lighting is also red by default (seven other colours are available). This sporty red lighting is accompanied by a unique onboard immersive sound experience, which awakens all the senses. Derived from the performance of the motor, it delivers further driving sensations and can easily be activated or deactivated, as the driver prefers.
A complete electric ecosystem
Thanks to its battery with a gross capacity of 54 kWh with optimised management and the natural efficiency qualities of the E-208, the GTi version offers a range of 350 km in mixed WLTP cycle, perfectly suitable for daily use.
The E-208 GTi can be recharged in 4h40 from a WallBox (7.4 kW). The “80% charge limitation” function, available in alternating current (AC), also allows the charge level to be adapted to daily use. For more intensive uses, such as on the track, the E-208 GTi can be charged from 20% to 80% in less than 30 minutes on a 100 kW charging station.
Like all PEUGEOT E-208 models, the GTi is equipped with a Trip Planner associated with the connected navigation system that optimises trips to maximise the car’s range and facilitate charging.
The E-208 GTi offers the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function which allows an electrical device to be powered via the car’s high-voltage battery. For example, to charge an electric bike or operate mobile lighting.
The MyPEUGEOT smartphone app allows remote access to several features: thermal pre-conditioning of the cabin, battery charging programming, embedded navigation programming before hitting the road, and much more.
Like all electric PEUGEOT models, the E-208 GTi benefits from the PEUGEOT ELECTRIC PROMISE designed to reassure customers about the reliability and charging of 100% electric models:
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on the vehicle thanks to the PEUGEOT Care program, the best coverage in Europe.
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on the battery.
• A Wall Box for home charging, included.
• A Free2Move charging pass that provides access to nearly one million charging points across Europe.
