Peugeot are gleefully comparing their new hatchback with the joy of driving a ratty old 205 GTI down a twisty road. Are they finally able to recapture the magic of the 1980s auto legend? If the latest reports are anything to go by then the answer for their new car is yes.
The 206, and 207 were unable to ever get close to replicating the joy of punting a ratty old 205 GTI down a twisting road. It was all the more galling given the fact that Peugeot still had the technique nailed when they sold the 106 and 306 GTIs during the late 1990s.
To some extent though, Peugeot has finally got its groove back. The 208 has moved in all the right directions and is lighter and more fun to drive than the 207 ever was.
The first GTIs that go on sale will be Limited Edition models, and with only 29 of these available, they’ll each cost £20,495. They will each have Satin Pearlescent white paint and 17-inch Carbon Onyx Black alloy wheels.
All the other GTIs thereafter will cost £18,895
and will go on sale from April 2013.
The expectations of this vehicle will be high considering the toughest rival to
Peugeot, the Ford Fiesta ST, will begin at £16,995.The Peugeot 208 GTI will have a 200-horsepower mark from its 1.6-litre turbocharged lump, a few subtle styling additions and some more than suitable interior upgrades. It will also have a six-speed manual gearbox, which is becoming a rare thing in the hatchback market. On paper the GTI certainly looks good.
In conclusion, whether the 208 GTI gets anywhere near it’s ancestor the 205 in terms of thrills will be irrelevant for most people. Since the 1980s the market has changed a lot, however Peugeot’s eagerness to compare the two GTIs has raised the expectations of the 208. We know that the Ford Fiesta ST is likely to be brilliant, so the 208 GTI will have to be even better if it’s to leave its mark.
For a deeper look into the Peugeot 208 you can click here.
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