Never mind that Peugeot was not the first to use the GTi badge (it was Maserati, btw), and VW was the first to popularize it on a hatchback. But GTi is synonymous with Peugeot—well, at least, it was in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, for petrolheads, that lineage bowed down in 2021. But today, it has returned, but in the future-forward fashion possible: electric drive.
Built on the French automaker’s E-208 electric range, the Peugeot E-208 GTi, as it is called, is an exciting, electrifying pocket rocket that is ready for a whole new era of GTi. So, yes, the GTi label has made its return to one of the most successful cars in the B segment, and expectedly, it boasts the best performance in the electric hot hatch market.
Under its sleek skin lies a 280 hp (209 kW) electric motor paired with 345 Nm (254 lb-ft) of torque. That’s good for a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) dash in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph)—numbers that’ll make your old 205 GTi raise a bushy Gallic eyebrow. The 54 kWh CATL battery (net 50 kWh) offers a range of up to 350 km (217 miles) WLTP and supports 100 kW fast charging—20% to 80% in under 30 minutes. Home charging via a 7.4 kW WallBox takes just 4 hours and 40 minutes.
But this isn’t just about going fast in a straight line. PEUGEOT Sport’s magic touch includes a lowered ride height by 30 mm (1.2”), widened tracks (+56 mm front, +27 mm rear), a Torsen-style limited-slip diff, 355 mm front brakes with 4-piston calipers, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s (215/40 R18). There’s even a Sport mode that lets you suspend ESP and drive like you’ve got something to prove to your childhood Sega Rally self.
Inside, the GTi is all red carpets, sporty Alcantara trim, and bolstered seats that say, “I’m fun, but I also support your lumbar.” A perforated red leather steering wheel, red ambient lighting, and onboard sound effects crank up the immersion. You also get the i-Cockpit, full connected nav, V2L power outlet, and enough USB-C ports to run a LAN party.
When Peugeot says it takes “driving pleasure seriously,” it’s not kidding. This thing was honed by the same PEUGEOT Sport team behind its Le Mans hypercar. So yeah, it corners as seriously as it looks, and no, you don’t need to wear red socks to drive it—but it helps.
Pricing is TBA, but expect it to land somewhere between hot hatch impulse-buy and “well, it’s a collector’s item now” territory.
Images: Stellantis.
