After three years since the launch of the 208 range, Peugeot introduced the much-awaited version, the GTI.
An iconic French hot-hatch that evolved from the 205 to this.

The 205 GTI had its place in automotive history. It was a successful hot-hatch on the European market and rally stages. And, when it was not allowed to run in the World Rally Championship, it went to the toughest rally in the world: the Paris-Dakar and claimed the 1987 victory at its maiden participation. Its successors, such as the 206 GTI marked the return to the WRC arena and scored other victories before it was replaced by the 308 CC WRC. But the history left a legacy to be continued.

The 2016 208 GTI was offered in a 3-door version, with a different stance than its less-powered brothers. The front bumper featured a chequered-flag 3D design. The headlights featured an LED signature, specifically for the Peugeot brand. The side revealed an aggressive stance, like a feline ready to jump. In the back, the wider rear bumper offered a sporty look with its lip on the bottom.

Inside, the 208 GTI featured bucket seats for the front passengers. The interior was garnished with sporty details such as the aluminum pedals and gear-knob, the silver trims on the center stack around the infotainment system, and the bottom of the steering wheel. The instrument cluster featured a binocular look, with the tachometer and coolant temperature gauges on the left and the speedometer and fuel level on the right. Between them, a TFT display was installed for the trip-computer.

Under the hood, the GTI offered a special, 208 hp, engine. The turbocharged 1.6-liter unit was developed to cope well with the daily driving requirements and the weekend races as well.

Back in the mid-’80s, Peugeot introduced the 205 GTi, and the world of hot-hatches changed forever; it was the car that offered the most thrill on the buck.
After that successful model, Peugeot focused more on comfortable cars than on sporty hot-hatches. The 206 GTi and the 207 RC didn’t stand at the same level as their ancestor. But the 208 came to reclaim the kingdom of its niche segment with the introduction of the 208 Gti.

First of all, Peugeot tried to show the little car’s muscles, which was evident on the front bumper, with its reversed trapezoidal grille surrounded by a chromed rim. On its sides, the carmaker installed a pair of fog-lights in chromed rims. The 208 was available in a few body versions, but the GTi version was exclusively a three-door hatchback. The extended roof-spoiler completed its unique design for the 17” light-alloy wheels and the twin, squared-looking exhaust. To be sure that every bystander would know what was all about the car, the carmaker installed a set of chromed badges with red GTi behind the rear side windows.

But the unique details didn’t stop on the exterior. They continued on the inside where Peugeot installed front bucket-seats with high-bolstered areas to support its occupants during high-speed cornering maneuvers. The flat-bottom small steering wheel sported a GTi badge, and the red trims on the instrument cluster and center stack confirmed that it was a particular vehicle.

Under the hood, Peugeot installed a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that provided 200 hp. The carmaker paired it exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox. The lowered and stiffened suspension helped the little hot-hatch feel lively on tight corners, and it was the closest Peugeot 205 GTi sibling. Maybe even better.