Here’s two versions of the original 205 GTi commercial that we think has been trashed by the 208 GTi update. Take a look and let us know if you like Peugeot’s old stuff better than their new stuff.
Category: Peugeot
By all accounts the Peuegot 208 GTi is a very fine car. It brings Peugeot back into the hot hatch market with genuine credibility. The limited edition 30th anniversary model takes this to a new level, while reminding us of the masterful 205 GTi.
Then this video comes along and f@#ks it all up.
[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]
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Hot hatch heaven
This video showcasing eight seven of the best hot hatches money can buy is not perfect, but it is pretty cool. The clip was published by the Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube channel and features French racer Nic Minassian behind the wheel of four old and four new hot hatches, listed below:
- Honda: EP3 Civic Type R v FN2 Civic Type R
- Peugeot: 205 GTi v 208 GTi
- Renault: Clio Williams v Megane RS 265
- Volkswagen: Mk1 Golf GTI v Mk7 Golf GTD
Save for the GTD that makes for a very impressive line up of cars, all of which we would love to drive. And driving them all on the same day, on the same road, well, that would be a great day out.
Just don’t expect this clip to wow you with performance stats or hard data.
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Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary revealed
Peugeot’s little hot hatch is turning 30 years old. To celebrate they’re producing this 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition model, which has just been revealed at the increasingly important Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The 208 GTi 30th will go on sale in November after a full launch at the Paris Motor Show in September. For now we don’t know how limited this model will be or if any will be coming to Australia.
We do know that the crazy “dual-material livery” is optional and we assume it’s only available in the black/red combo you see here.
The standard 208 GTi has 147kW/275Nm and this model has had its 1.6 litre turbo warmed over a little to produce new numbers of 155kW/300Nm. For the mathemiticians among you you may have already worked out that 155kW equals 208 when measured in old skool horsepower. Enough to make a slight 0.3s improvement on the 0-100km/h time, which can be done in 6.5s in the 30th.
As the old advertising line says, the best way to approach a corner is to “take a lion through it” and to Peugeot’s credit they are living that ethos. Lowered suspension is an easy party trick and 10mm has been knocked off the ride height. More impressive, though, is the increase in track, by 22mm at the front and 16mm at the rear. Small numbers, perhaps, but sure to have a positive difference on handling.
Whenever I see a 205 GTi my little hot hatch heart beats a little faster. Now it may just do the same if I ever see a 208 GTi 30th whiz by.
Juha Kankkunen is rallying royalty. His four world championships (1986, 1987, 1991, 1993) and 23 rally wins (a record at the time) have earned him that honour.
Here’s a fan made tribute video showcasing some of Kankkunen’s best work. You’ll enjoy the sights and sounds we’re sure and when you make it to the end you can share a drink with the Finnish great.
[via Motor Sport Retro]
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VIDEO: Climb Dance in HD
Watching Climb Dance, in high definition, is there a better way to start the week?
We can’t think of many ways to top this, so sit back and strap yourself in for a crystal clear ride with one of rallying’s best, Ari Vatanen, as he man handles his Peugeot 405 T16 in the 1988 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Jean Louis Mourey originally released this film back in 1989 and the remastering of the footage was commissioned by Peugeot last year as part of its Pikes Peak assault which saw Sebastien Loeb smash the all-time record for the 20km course.
In 2013 Loeb reached the summit of an all-paved Pikes Peak in 8:13.878. Ari Vatanen’s 1988 time was 10:47.77.
“Our aim is to win the Dakar in 2015.”
That is the bold claim being made by Maxime Picat, Peugeot CEO, following the announcement of the French manufacturer’s comeback to the Dakar event for the first time in 25 years.
Couple Peugeot Sport’s success at last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the purpose-built 208 T16 and four previous wins in the original Paris–Dakar Rally and there’s good reason to put some faith into Picat’s words.
Peugeot Sport will create at least two 2008-based race vehicles, to be known as the 2008 DKR. A further sign of its intent is the announcement of the two lead drivers: Carlos Sainz and Cyril Depres.
Rally-legend Sainz has extensive experience at Dakar with Volkswagen, including victory in 2010, while Depres has five Dakar motorcycle wins to his name. Depres will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Stephané Peterhansel who has won Dakar five times in a car after making the switch from motorcycles where he also took victory on five previous occassions.
In recent times Dakar has been the play thing of Volkswagen (victories in 2008–10) and since they got bored and turned to the WRC for fun MINI has ably stepped in to fill the void (victories in 2012–14).
Peugeot won the event four times in succession from 1987–1990, with rally icon Ari Vatanen taking three of those wins and Juha Kankkunen the other.
Here’s your second batch of photos from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, that makes it 155 photos in all. We start part 2 with the very cool Maserati Alfieri concept and end with the very cool Volvo Concept Estate. Cool!
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Peugeot 308 GTi spied
Peugeot is continuing to revive its GTi range with the 308 model soon set to join its smaller 208 GTi sibling. Spied recently for the first time, if you think the 308 GTi looks a little bland fear not, it’s expected model-specific styling cues will be added to the car before its expected launch in 2014.
Of course, Peugeot has its wild looking 308 R Concept on show in Frankfurt right now and we reckon the GTi will be a watered down version of that car. The concept car boasts a healthy 200kW (270hp) from its 1.6 litre four-pot turbo. Don’t expect those numbers in the GTi, best you wind back your expectations to somewhere around 147kW (200hp).
Although, given the 208 GTi already offers up 147kW we’ll forgive you if you think Peugeot would be nice enough to give the bigger car bigger power!
[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia | Thanks to Stu for the tip]
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Peugeot 308 R concept leaked
As far as leaks go this is a pretty good one. No dodgy blurry images, but the real deal, in all their multi-pixel glory. Now, what is this bordering on crazy contraption that we’re looking at? It’s a Peugeot 308 R concept.
Depsite the terribly shit paint job the car itself sounds rather promising. It’s got a 270hp (200kW) 1.6 litre turbo (and why can’t MINI get that much poke from the same engine?) and Torsen limited slip diff from the RCZ R—a car we’re so disinterested in we’ve not featured it here on AUSmotive. The 308, though, is not an awkwardly shaped blob that has proportions that would make John Merrick blush.
So, to start with we don’t mind this cooking 308 model. Presumably we’ll have all the finer details for you as Frankfurt draws closer. With any luck those details will outline a feasible plan of turning this concept into a car that hot hatch buyers can add to their ever growing shopping list.
[Source: Oppositelock via Caradisiac | Thanks to Richard for the tip]
UPDATE 28 August: Official press release added below.
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Preview: Race to the Clouds
This is your friendly revhead public service announcement that Race to the Clouds, a documentary on the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, will be screening across Australia this weekend. Switch your TV to 7mate at 11am on Saturday to make sure you don’t miss out!
Peugeot Australia seems very pleased with itself now that the 208 GTi is on our shores. And with a starting price of $29,990 for this pugnacious hot hatch it’s easy to see why.
The 1.6 litre turbo offers 147kW/275Nm and with only 1160kg to move around it can reach 100km/h in very respectable 6.8 seconds. It has a proper manual gearbox along with stacks of standard kit, including sat nav with a 7″ touch screen, Blutetooth, dual zone climate control, cruise control and more.
There’s lots of GTi-specific trim and badging as well, to remind you that you’re in the halo model.
We think this car offers a lot of potential and like the Golf GTI has often spent its life living in the shadow of the original, the 205 GTi in this case. We hope that the 208 GTi can live up to its reputation.