Peugeot E-208 GTi Debuts at Le Mans With 280 HP
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- Peugeot debuted the production-ready E-208 GTi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, delivering 280 hp and 345 Nm (~255 lb-ft) of torque from its electric drivetrain
- The E-208 GTi slots between the reborn Renault 5 and the 280 hp Lancia Y HF in a wave of 80s hot hatch nameplates being resurrected as EVs
- The car leans heavily into its 205 GTi heritage with retro red highlights on the bodywork and wheel arches, plus red carpets, red-accented sports seats, and an Alcantara steering wheel inside
- Peugeot fitted 18" diamond-cut perforated wheels — a direct nod to the original 205 GTi's "holey" alloys — wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high-performance tires
- The GTi gets a lowered ride height, stiffened suspension, rear anti-roll bar, and unique steering geometry to distinguish it from the standard E-208
- The 54 kWh battery carries over from the standard E-208 and delivers 217 miles of range, with UK pricing starting at approximately £35K (~$46K USD including VAT)
- Product Manager Vincent Héride framed the design as evoking Peugeot's history with "no exuberance, but a confident stance, poised on the road"
Why it matters: At ~£35K (~$46K), the E-208 GTi puts a 280 hp electric hot hatch in reach of enthusiasts while reinforcing that legacy performance nameplates — Renault 5, Lancia Y HF, now Peugeot — are being reborn as EVs in parallel. The 217-mile range from the 54 kWh pack is modest, signaling that Peugeot prioritized chassis and performance tuning over outright battery capacity.
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