Peugeot 208 GTI Adds Lightness As Well As Power

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

A hot hatch that’s up on power and 220 lbs lighter than the model it replaces? What a novel concept!

The Peugeot 208 GTI you see here is officially a “concept”, but the 208 itself is very real, and will replace the outgoing 207 model. The premium hot hatch segment is growing in Europe, with the Audi A1 and Citroen DS3 being the latest examples. Audi and Citroen both offer “hot” versions of their wares, but the 208’s 197 horsepower 1.6L turbo 4-cylinder and estimated 2535 lb curb weight , that puts it roughly in league with the Mini Cooper S in terms of power-to-weight ratio. Every Peugeot hot hatch has had to live in the shadow of the Peugeot 205 GTI, while Renault and Citroen’s latest entries have become critical favorites in Europe. The 208 GTI will get its debuted at March’s Geneva Auto Show.


Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Jaje Jaje on Feb 22, 2012

    I recall a TG UK episode where the super veloce and super leggera Italian cars added lightness by removing standard equipment such as radio and air con - but not installing those items actually cost money laughably. Wonder if its the same here.

  • Junebug Junebug on Feb 23, 2012

    Sure looks way better than the Peugeot that Lt. Columbo drove!!! BTW- loved the Cheech Marin commemnt, made my day!

  • Namesakeone If I were the parent of a teenage daughter, I would want her in an H1 Hummer. It would be big enough to protect her in a crash, too big for her to afford the fuel (and thus keep her home), big enough to intimidate her in a parallel-parking situation (and thus keep her home), and the transmission tunnel would prevent backseat sex.If I were the parent of a teenage son, I would want him to have, for his first wheeled transportation...a ride-on lawnmower. For obvious reasons.
  • ToolGuy If I were a teen under the tutelage of one of the B&B, I think it would make perfect sense to jump straight into one of those "forever cars"... see then I could drive it forever and not have to worry about ever replacing it. This plan seems flawless, doesn't it?
  • Rover Sig A short cab pickup truck, F150 or C/K-1500 or Ram, preferably a 6 cyl. These have no room for more than one or two passengers (USAA stats show biggest factor in teenage accidents is a vehicle full of kids) and no back seat (common sense tells you what back seats are used for). In a full-size pickup truck, the inevitable teenage accident is more survivable. Second choice would be an old full-size car, but these have all but disappeared from the used car lots. The "cute small car" is a death trap.
  • W Conrad Sure every technology has some environmental impact, but those stuck in fossil fuel land are just not seeing the future of EV's makes sense. Rather than making EV's even better, these automakers are sticking with what they know. It will mean their end.
  • Add Lightness A simple to fix, strong, 3 pedal car that has been tenderized on every corner.
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