Peugeot 208 GTi to be seen at the Geneva Auto Show
The new Peugeot 208 GTi concept has been uncovered before the 2012 Geneva motor show debut next month, confirming the French car maker is ready to take another shot at rekindling the magic of its 1980s 205 GTi hot-hatch.
The French hot hatch will come out to play at the 2012 Geneva auto show. The Peugeot 208 GTi, even though it’s currently just a concept, is powered by a 1.6-litre THP engine, which develops 200 hp. The power of Peugeot’s 208 GTi goes to its front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. Apart from the high power output, the 208 GTi also comes with several features meant to improve its performance. It has a 36mm wider track (both axles), a rear roof spoiler, and rather big brakes. Peugeot equips the 208 GTi with 302mm brake discs on the front axle and 249mm ones on the rear axle. For an extra “go-faster” touch,
the clippers are painted red. The Peugeot 208 GTi Concept has several distinctive exterior design features. These include the “checkered” front grille, double chromed exhaust tailpipes and a new aerodynamics package. The 208 GTi’s body kit includes a new front spoiler, side skirts, and a re-styled rear bumper. As a reminder of the popular 205 GTi, Peugeot stuck several badges on the 208 GTi, including on its front grille, and rear quarter panels.
At the interior, the 208 GTi concept comes with a small sports steering wheel covered in leather, LED backlighting for the instruments, and sport seats covered in Nappa leather.
The conceptual Peugeot 208 GTi, which will be a rival for the likes of the RenaultSport Clio, Volkswagen Polo GTI and forthcoming Ford Fiesta ST, is powered by the BMW-Peugeot-Citroen joint venture 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder also found in the company’s RCZ coupe.
Peugeot hasn’t supplied outputs, or performance figures, for the 208 GTi concept, though in the RCZ the engine produces 147kW and 275Nm. That power and torque is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.
The interior itself promises to be something quite special if it makes the transition from concept to production.
The predominantly black cabin features red highlights, including red instrument dial surrounds, red gloss plastic for dash trim inserts, and red stitching for the steering wheel.
The small, sporty steering wheel also copies a RenaultSport touch by including a coloured (red naturally) ‘marker’ on the top centre of the wheel. There’s also a flat-bottomed section incorporating a ‘GTi’ logo.
There are black sports seats, and the main dash section is layered in race-car-style alcantara.
Enthusiasts will be hoping the new Peugeot 208 GTi is more like the 205 GTi to drive than the ultimately disappointing 206 GTi and 207 GTi models.
Peugeot is certainly promising the 208 GTi will have “excellent and precise handling” that takes advantage of the new 208 that is smaller and lighter than its predecessor.
The GTI also features 36mm-wider tracks front and rear, with bigger brake discs (with red brake callipers) – 302mm front, 249mm rear – to help shed speed.
Peugeot Australia will put its hand up for the 208 GTi, though don’t expect it here until 2013.
