NEXT PEUGEOT 208 HOT HATCH TO TAP 205 GTI SPIRIT

Firm will make greater use of GTi branding – but on electric models only

- FELIX PAGE

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.