Here is the thing, I wasn’t going to get myself all agitated about the launch of a new electricity car. What’s the point? It is what it is, heavy and rather pointless. However it was the manner of this particular vehicle launch which annoyed me the most and the way in which it was conducted.
First off it was conducted at the 24h of Le Mans circuit, just before the famous race was about to occur. So far so good for them. It involved Alain FAVEY, CEO of PEUGEOT, Jean-Marc FINOT, CEO of Stellantis Motorsport and Matthias HOSSANN, Head of PEUGEOT Design, together with Paul Di RESTA, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies official driver and all conducted in the PEUGEOT Fan zone. Fine.
Trouble is, to use their own words they are using and also invoking ‘the GTi label’. What’s happening is the launch of the PEUGEOT E-208 GTi which they claim ‘boasts the best performance in the electric hot hatch market, with 280hp and a 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds.’
OK so they admit this is the so-called electric hot hatch market, although I am not sure taking in terms of bhp is technically correct. Then of course it all descends into what is a celebration of what happened in the past to justify what is happening right now.
Incredibly the launch involved the company showing the original brilliant TV advert which was all very 007 with a 205GTi being parachuted into a snowscape then bombed by a Hercules C130 and F20 Northrup Tiger Shark which had a cool name but never served in any airforce, probably because it couldn’t take out a Pug on a mountainside.
Anyway, Peugeot reckoned the 205 GTi in its 1.6L version (1984) and then in 1.9L (1986), the pioneered a new concept of the small sporty hatchback. Agreed. There was also a shout out to the 306, 206, 207, 208, to name a few. We do though have to diverge from that narrative when they claim that ‘PEUGEOT continues to write the GTi legend by reinterpreting the DNA of this emblem in a fun, modern and assertive way. The new PEUGEOT E-208 GTi is the first 100% electric GTi.’
Peugeot erroneously claim that the ‘E-208 GTi is therefore more GTi than ever!’ Their exclamation mark. ‘The GTi DNA at the heart of the E-208 GTi’.
That’s all down to them and the best they can really do is ape the original alloy wheel but then get it spectacularly wrong. I mean just look at this 18 inch abomination, the ugliest alloy since well, some TRX based pizza plate ones from the ‘80s. Apparently those stupid big holes will cool the brakes better,
There is then a load of pretentious guff about the design which they call iconic and understated. What you can’t ignore is that there are four doors, five including the tailgate. Of course you can have a family friendly GTi, but if you really wanted a small, light and focused sporting car then the hot hatch true legends always came with three doors. Those extra doors are going to add weight, not that it matters too much because the official release does not mention what this new GTi tips the scales at. I have done a cartoon cover that reveals the truth, but essentially the new GTi is double the weight of an original 205 and that’s never going to be a very good thing at all. Simply read the comments below the launch video for the free advise being sent Peugeot and Stellantis way.
Apart from all the important people launching their new car there is a sexy video which is packed full of 205 Gtis driving to Le Mans. The owners are then duped into providing a nigh time guard of honour for the brave new era of electricity heavy hot hatches.
Once again read the comments, as one clearly said, ‘we are only here for the 205 Gtis’. Quite right too. I do come from the original hot hatch era although I mainly resided on the German side of things, owning several of them GTI ones. I did however, drive 205s and found them rather thrilling. It was a proper shove in the back experience. Truly light and truly lovely. Don’t take my word for it though, you should listen to my good friend Matthew Corrigan who has metal (an actual 205 GTi) and paper (arguably the best book written about the car, click on the cover) in this game. Read what he has to say, simply click on the sexy image below.
I’ll just sign off by saying, there was a lot more promotional bumf about he new GTi. They even used the phrase ’savoir-faire’, and very good for them that the E-208 GTi’s powerful electric motor is produced in Trémery, in eastern France, now dedicated to electric powertrains as part of the Emotors joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer. The M4+ electric motor develops 280 hp and offers torque of 345 Nm. Going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.
This is important, the battery with a gross capacity of 54 kWh offers a range of 350 km in mixed WLTP cycle. The E-208 GTi can be recharged in 4h40 from a WallBox (7.4 kW). The “80% charge limitation” function, available in alternating current (AC), also allows the charge level to be adapted to daily use. For more intensive uses, such as on the track, the E-208 GTi can be charged from 20% to 80% in less than 30 minutes on a 100 kW charging station.
Apparently buyers get a wall box and the E-208 GTi benefits from the PEUGEOT ELECTRIC PROMISE designed to reassure customers about the reliability and charging of 100% electric models:
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on the vehicle thanks to the PEUGEOT Care program, the best coverage in Europe.
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on the battery.
• A Wall Box for home charging, included.
• A Free2Move charging pass that provides access to nearly one million charging points across Europe.
There you go I’ve cut and pasted the information Peugeot would like buyers to see. I have not driven the 208, but I will tell you now that it will be like every other electricity car I have ever had the pleasure to pilot. Dull, but quick.
Instead of paying something north of £30K let’s go and see what a proper performance Pug can be bought and enjoyed for… this additional part of the story is coming soon, link will be provided.
