Should you’ve learn principally something I’ve ever written you’d know that I am keen on French vehicles. It would not matter what kind of French vehicles, both. I really like the whole lot from the most cost effective Citroëns to the costliest Bugattis and all the unbelievable stuff in between. Loads of it’s right down to design, the place I feel the French are unmatched, and a number of the greatest and most beloved French designs are on sizzling hatchbacks just like the Peugeot 205 GTi or Renault Mégane RS. The latest French sizzling hatch is the Peugeot E-208 GTi, the primary efficiency model of the current-gen 208 and the primary time there’s been a totally electrical GTi, and oh my god have a look at these wheels.
See what I imply about French automotive designs? Nobody else would have the audacity. I will go extra in-depth on the wheels in a second, however I feel the E-208 GTi being unveiled on the 24 Hours of Le Mans says lots about how critical Peugeot is concerning the GTi’s efficiency chops. The corporate says its electrical sizzling hatch “presents the very best efficiency in its class with magnificence and discretion,” and describes it as “a pleasant, and considerably humble automotive… for individuals who know.” Who would not need a automotive like that?
Who would not love Gap?
Peugeot says the E-208 GTi’s 18-inch wheels are impressed by “the enduring ‘Gap’ wheels of the 205 GTi,” and sure I did giggle at that. As an alternative of a standard heart brand the seven-hole wheels have a big pink GTi script with Peugeot written inside the underside of the “G.” I feel that is probably the most excessive wheel heart I’ve seen, with the BMW XM being put down a peg. Peugeot says the seven holes assist optimize brake cooling, too.
The remainder of the E-208 GTi seems to be sick too, and Peugeot says its designers did not need to overdo it, to verify it is nonetheless not as in-your-face as a few of its opponents. Because the automotive’s monitor is wider than a traditional 208 (by 2.2 inches up entrance and 1.1 inches within the again) its wheel arches have additionally been widened and flared, and its suspension is 1.2 inches decrease. The entrance bumper and grille have some new and bigger intakes, there is a larger spoiler and the rear bumper has a brand new diffuser with a 3rd brake mild within the heart of it. There are pink accents within the headlights, on the arches and round all the badges, and the automotive’s pink paint colour is new, although Peugeot would not say if that is the one colour will probably be accessible in.
Racing engineers helped
Powering the E-208 GTi’s entrance wheels is an electrical motor making 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, a minimum of 100 hp greater than the usual E-208 and a very good deal extra torques too. It is also received 75 hp and 51 lb-ft greater than the previous-gen gas-powered 208 GTi. Peugeot says it’s going to hit 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, faster than every other automotive in its phase and about on half with a rear-drive BMW i4, and prime pace is 112 mph. The GTi has a 54-kWh battery pack with Peugeot quoting a 217-mile vary on the European cycle, a bit lower than an Alpine A290. It may be charged at 100 kW, going from 20% to 80% in below half-hour, and there is vehicle-to-load functionality too.
The E-208 GTi additionally will get a limited-slip differential up entrance, a Sport mode for the soundness management programs that additionally turns off all of the driver-assist programs, model-specific shocks and comes, a rear anti-roll bar and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The brakes are upgraded to 14-inch discs with 4-piston calipers up entrance, however the rears are the identical as on a traditional E-208. Peugeot says its engineers used learnings from the 9X8 hypercar competing within the WEC to excellent the GTi’s thermal administration and vitality restoration, and the race crew additionally helped tune the brakes and chassis. Its steering tuning is exclusive as effectively, and whereas Peugeot would not say how a lot the E-208 GTi weighs, it says its power-to-weight ratio is the very best within the phase.
Oops, I pink myself
On the within the E-208 GTi has a ton extra pink accents, with my favourite element being the intense pink ground mats. The entrance seats are lots sportier than a traditional 208’s and have an superior striped sample with a mesh material on just one aspect of the seat, a throwback to the 205 GTi 1.9. The steering wheel is smaller and chunkier and coated in Alcantara, with an emblem that glows pink. The entire gauge cluster and infotainment graphics are pink, together with the ambient lighting, although for these you possibly can choose another colours too. Peugeot says the lights are “accompanied by a novel onboard immersive sound expertise, which awakens all of the senses. Derived from the efficiency of the motor, it delivers additional driving sensations and might simply be activated or deactivated, as the driving force prefers.” First the outlet wheels, now this? Peugeot, purchase me a drink first.
Peugeot has but to announce how a lot the E-208 GTi will price, however as with the remainder of the model’s EVs it has an 8-year/99,419-mile guarantee on the automotive itself, and the identical protection for the battery too. Clients may also get a house charging field and a charging go for Europe’s Free2Move community. Ugh. I want Peugeot was nonetheless coming to America.
