Geneva 2012: Peugeot 208 GTi
Tuesday, 6 March 2012 12:33 PM
The new Peugeot 208 GTi is a concept car that Peugeot really must build. I'll burn down their village if they don't!
Things are really starting to heat up on the 2012 Geneva Motor Show floor right now with the wraps coming off the new Peugeot hot hatch; the 208 GTi. But, before we quickly make plans to attack our favourite back lanes in this potentially light ‘n’ loopy new Peugeot GTi, I’d better warn you that it’s yet another concept car. Arggg!
Surely it’s simplicity itself. Update arguably the most famous and driver-friendly of bygone hot hatches; the Peugeot 205 GTi - although I was a Renault 5 GT Turbo man myself - and this time drop a spunky little 1.6-litre turbocharged engine in up front, that’s already proven to haul ass without being too fuel-greedy. Of course, we’ll still be wanting a light and nimble front-wheel drive chassis, but with more modern safety than the 205’s tin top. And tin sides!
The new Peugeot 208 GTi makes perfect sense and, like the Range Rover Evoque convertible concept we’ve already seen, this car looks production ready to me. Just look at those curves, cuts and slashes.
It looks great in these in-the-metal images; the THP 200 engine - with nice ‘n’ notchy 6-speed manual gearbox - is good to go, the paintwork is fiery-red, and all they need are keen buyers for this cheeky little chappy. Well, they’ve got one right here!
By Daniel Anslow
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