Peugeot 208 GTi Concept to Debut at Geneva

Feb. 17, 2012 4:52 AM ET by Adam Lynton / 14 Comments

The legendary series is making a comeback with a fascinating design and 200hp turbo engine.

Peugeot is set to relaunch the GTi moniker at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show when it unveils the 208 GTi concept, the scion for a great lineage of hot-hatch cars with the GTi attached to their back ends. Peugeot's last GTi was the 207, which was discontinued back in 2009. Its first was the legendary 205 GTi from the eighties that was associated, by name and era at least, with the Peugeot 205 GTi T16 Group Rally car. The 208 GTi with its 200hp 1.6-liter twin-cam turbo engine is to continue that famous tradition.

Peugeot

In order to improve performance Peugeot engineers had to work hard to cut weight off the standard 208, with 240 pounds removed from the car's kerb weight. Further work has been carried out on the suspension (a Peugeot specialty) by widening the front and rear tracks by 1.5 inches. The GTi also receives larger brakes, a six-speed manual gerbox and will ride on 18-inch five-spoke alloys. A rear spoiler should improve aerodynamic performance and there are other 'ornaments' such as a beautifully designed double-chrome exhaust tailpipe, lower body work spoilers and lower sill skirt extensions.

The 208 GTi is almost certain to become one of the stars of Geneva 2012, and is expected to go on sale in Europe by the end of the year.