Peugeot brings back the GTI and unveils a rabid version of the 208

Peugeot has revived the magical GTi acronym and unveiled a sporty version of the 208. This means the French brand once again has a ferocious compact car in its range, just like it did 41 years ago when it launched the 205 GTi .

Taking advantage of the run-up to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Lion brand unveiled the E-208 GTi to the public. This is an electric sports car that will soon be launched in the French market.

With the same bodywork as the model that is also manufactured at the Stellantis plant in El Palomar, this version adopts a more aggressive stance thanks to being closer to the ground, larger wheels, and details that reveal its sporty performance.

The electric motor delivers 280 horsepower and features a battery designed to withstand the demands of sporty driving. The braking system is also optimized to maximize energy recovery.

For now, this new variant is not planned for Argentina . The 100% electric model the French brand plans to bring to the local market is the E-2008.

Forty years ago, Peugeot introduced the 205 GTi. First with its 1.6-litre version in 1984, and then with the 1.9-litre version in 1986, the 205 GTi pioneered the Hot Hatch category, a ferocious compact car that combined exceptional performance and driving pleasure with a sporty yet subtle design.

Over four decades, the GTi label has marked the history of several of the brand's models , such as the 306, 206, 207 and 208. But this is the first time that this emblematic acronym has been worn by a 100% electric car.

The E-208 GTi is distinguished above all by its aggressive stance thanks to a body lowered by about 30 mm compared to conventional versions, and front and rear tracks widened by 56 mm and 27 mm respectively.

The large 18-inch wheels , bearing the red GTi signature, contribute to this powerful stance. The rim design, with its perforated structure, is a nod to the iconic "hollow" wheels of the 205 GTi. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, they have a functional purpose, as this design contributes to optimizing brake cooling.

A spoiler has been added to the lower part of the front bumper. The aerodynamic diffuser located below the rear bumper, which incorporates a new LED fog light, is available in gloss black.

Inside, the red details highlight the sporty spirit . Details on the upholstery, floor mats, and seat belts come in that color.

The E-208 GTi was entirely designed by Peugeot Sport teams in collaboration with Peugeot's design teams. In fact, it is the first 100% electric car designed by the brand's racing division.

The fact that this model was revealed just before the 24 Hours of Le Mans is no coincidence, as part of the experience gained from the 9X8, the prototype that competes in the World Endurance Championship, was applied to this new model .

The braking system, for example, is capable of recovering more energy than the conventional 208 during deceleration. The system is completed with 355 mm discs and four-piston calipers.

The engine develops 280 hp and offers an impressive 345 Nm of torque . It achieves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 180 km/h.