Peugeot plans to launch a stylish hatchback which will have the handling and performance similar to the famous 205 GTI. Looking back in their last two decades of history and also springing from the popularity of the DS3 range by Citroen, Peugeot will likely give the new Peugeot 208 set to roll out next summer its powerful 4-cylinder turbogcharged powerplant.
The new Peugeot GTI will be getting the RC badge in France and will most likely enter the market after the 5-door and 3-door mainstream models hit the showrooms by June of 2012. Most likely there will be two trims for this car. Both will be using the well received 1.6L twin cam engine with turbo that is currently under the hood of the Mini Cooper and the DS3 of Citroen. This engine is built thru a collaboration of BMW and Peugeot-Citroen in their plant in France.
The GTI is expected to get the 154 horsepower version of the engine. The mainstream release might have a sticker price starting at £18,000. A possible GTI Racing version priced at around £23,000 will be getting a more potent 204 horsepower engine.
The fastest Peugeot 208 is set to have an acceleration from 0 to 60 miles an hour in under 7 seconds with a top speed of more than 140 mph. These numbers might just hint that the GTI will be fitted with the Clio Cup of Renault which has been gaining grounds in the UK market without a good competition.
The new car will be making use of the smallest platform being used by the mainstream cars of Peugeot and Citroen at the moment. Comparing the 5-door version with the 3-door variant, the latter will have a sportier, more aggressive look because of its unique design for its doors, rear pillar, and roof.
The release of the 208 shows the intention of the car manufacturer to drop the over aggressive design lines used for the 207 and the 206. The 208 makes use of a more elegant and prettier shape that spotlights the cars lightness and compactness. The 208′s shape was inspired by the concept car SR-1 roadster and the 205 hatchback of the 1980s.