Special version of the Peugeot 208 GTI and Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport? Indeed, we are talking about a special version here. Corné had to search for it for a long time. “This is how the 208 GTI should have been originally. The ordinary one is a doghouse in my eyes.” In 2021 he traded in his 208 e-HDI for this fast guy. Quite a contrast, how about that? “Unlike that diesel, this is not my daily car. I have a company Toyota Yaris and have the GTI purely as a hobby. In the Netherlands there are only three in this color and many people think it is wrapped.” Everything is okay. The power of this special 208 GTI is the same as that of the regular one, especially the driving characteristics have been improved. For example, it is 10 mm closer to the asphalt, it has a wider track, different shock absorbers, a mechanical limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes. That package of measures is having an effective effect, as we experienced during a test in 2016. “It really steers much better than the regular GTI. Still, I had the chassis improved slightly by your friends in Soesterberg with a set from Bilstein.” A common problem with the THP engine is internal contamination. Corné had the intake tract blasted last year and a lambda sensor was replaced. The counter now stands at 119,000 and so far everything seems okay. “It is almost completely standard, except for a special air filter and a different engine mount,” he says. “I don’t think it’s tuned. At least not by me. The exhaust has a valve, which is much nicer than an open sports exhaust. The intermediate silencer has been removed. I’m curious about the effect on the power, but I don’t expect too much from it.” Corné is mainly concerned with the sound. During long journeys, he experiences more peace with the lid closed. He has also made some improvements to the infotainment system, such as better speakers and the latest navigation system. “But everything is as original as possible, I am very consistent in that. My friends call me Mister OEM.”Top carThis engine is no stranger to our Hague chassis dynamometer chef and horsepower wizard Ghisbert van Ginhoven. Beek Auto Racing also does a lot with Minis and so he sees this four-cylinder almost every day in the Cooper S. And you can boost it to 272 hp! Ghisbert: “If this Peugeot has been properly maintained, it should meet the factory specifications. We’ll see.” We do the measurement with the valve in the exhaust open and closed, there is not much difference. It doesn’t produce more than 205 hp, but it does provide a pleasant extra portion of Newton meters. Corné: “I’d rather have more torque than more horsepower, so I’m happy. Now I just have to find a painter who can repair the scratch in the rear bumper. That’s not that simple, with that matte paint. But beyond that? This is a top car.”
Source: www.autoweek.nl
