Peugeot 208 GTi to return with BEV powertrain

PEUGEOT has officially announced a fully electric e-208 GTi hot hatch to help the French arm of Stellantis revive its former sporty perception – and maintain an upward profitability trajectory while at the same time fending off archrival Renault.

New CEO Alain Favey says he wants to “nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations” spearheaded by his announcement of the new e-208 GTi hot hatch and likely other GTi spec’ BEV performance models “depending on customer feedback”.

He also suggested there may be an opportunity for some new GTi variants with combustion engines a development gaining momentum within the broader Stellantis Group particularly in the United States.

At a recent press conference, Mr Favey said, “I’m in a position to confirm that we will reintroduce the GTi on the e-208 as soon as possible. We’ve made the decision that Peugeot GTi will be reintroduced”.

It will be the first Peugeot GTi model since the previous-generation 308 GTi dropped off the twig back in 2021 and will be the French manufacturer’s first sporty BEV.

Mr Favey said the e-208 sends a signal about “what it means to reconnect to our past, our history” and that it would leverage the French brand’s involvement in motorsport into its road models.

UK automotive publication Autocar reported Mr Favey saying, “We want to continue to nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations and the fact that our cars produce particular driving sensations, either as a driver or as someone that is being driven in the car”.

“We will start with the 208 and (are) definitely listening to your inputs, or what our customers will say as well,” he added.

“We don’t exclude that there might be other executions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge, but for today there's absolutely nothing planned in that sense.”

Autocar reported confirmation of the GTi badge’s return came after Mr Favey last month said that he would consider it as one of his first jobs after taking over as Peugeot CEO.

Though still speculation, it’s thought the e-208 GTi will likely utilise the same Stellantis group powertrain as the new Abarth 600e, which is based on the same e-CMP platform as the garden variety Peugeot e-208 (pictured).

The Abarth calls up some 176kW from its front mounted electric traction motor driving the front wheels through a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Though no lightweight at 1625kg the Abarth clocks a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds, plenty quick for Peugeot’s newbie especially as it (the Peugeot) is likely lighter and lower which could see the French offering ducking into the 5.0-second bracket.

Further benefits are tipped thanks to its lower ride height and lower centre of gravity compared with the Abarth which, incidentally, is also offered with a punchier 207kW traction motor in Scorpionissima form.

While not wishing to put the cart before the horse, this gives rise to more speculation of an even more potent e208 GTi, which has been seen in previous iterations under the “by Peugeot Sport” nomenclature.