The next generation Peugeot 208 could get a sports version, according to Stellantis officials.
Jurig Drus, managing director of Stellantis UK, left the possibility for the return of the sports offer in the future line of the French brand. Speaking to Auto Express, Drus said: “There may be other products in the future. Peugeot has always had a penchant for fast, small hatchbacks, as we’ve seen with the various generations of the GTI. I remember the 205 GTI when I first joined the company. It would be a sad, sad day to say that we will never do that again. I wouldn’t want to see that sad day and I don’t think I will.”
When asked specifically about the hot hatch version of the 208, Drus expressed his enthusiasm: “I’d love to see it, in person. Peugeot Sport engineers would be the people to do such things.”
Although he did not confirm whether the car would carry the GTI badge, the managing director of Stellantis UK said: “The key part for me is the credibility that has come from PSE. So, whether we call it the PSE or the GTI, the truth is that Peugeot Sport designed the car and there were significant differences in driving characteristics between it and the stock car. I think that’s key.”
“What we can never do is put the GTI badge on something that’s a conventional car with a slightly bigger e-motor, for example. One of the big things about the future market is that almost any electric car can be a fast car. The beauty comes from being able to make a fast car and a really fun car to drive.”
This hints at an all-electric hot hatch that could borrow technology from other Stellantis models, combined with a spicy chassis setup from Peugeot Sport engineers. A sporty Peugeot of this size could compete with the likes of the Alpine A290 GT and Mini JCW Electric, signaling a new era for the small hot hatch segment.
Such a sporty Peugeot 208 could use the Lancia Ypsilon HF electric drive which has 177 kW/240 HP. The mechanically connected Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and Abarth 600e Scorpionissima are equipped with an even more powerful version of that electric motor, producing 207 kW/280 hp.
The next-generation Peugeot 208 is expected to arrive in 2026 or 2027, along with the Opel Corsa. The supermini hatchbacks will be based on the STLA Small architecture, an evolution of the CMP/eCMP basis of the current models. This platform supports internal combustion engines, mild hybrids and EVs.
Prepared by: Ivan Mitić – Autoblog.rs
Source: autoblog.rs
