DRIVEN: New Peugeot 208 GTi in the South of France

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Cynics among you will have Peugeot’s new 208 GTi hot hatch pinned as merely a more expensive 208 with more power. Or as a car bred by the suits in the marketing department rather than as a love child of the passionate white coats at Peugeot. Same old, same old, you might say.

Sceptical you may be about the Peugeot 208 GTi, but we can now confirm that it is a cracking good performance car – a welcome return to good form by the French company and a worthy modern successor to one of the all-time greats, the 205 GTi. High praise indeed, as we’ll explain below.

We were among the first to sample its sublime talents and found the new super-Pug can round up the challenging roads around Nice in Southern France faster than its spiritual predecessor could get your heart rate up, palms sweaty and trousers a little soiled.

As you can already surmise, the Peugeot 208 GTi will come to Malaysia in the next few months. Depending on the final price point, it will either be a really good hot hatch or one that’s also an absolute bargain to buy. Either way, it’s already causing a ruckus among many three-pedal aficionados looking for something to indulge in, yours truly included.


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This is the first proper hot hatch from Peugeot in a long, long time. Brand officials insist that more recent RC models (only badged as the GTi in the UK and a few selected markets) were never meant to be full-on hot hatches, rather mere half-boiled, lukewarm alternatives to standard variants.

The regular 208 is a sharp-enough tool for slicing through the countryside effectively, but this GTi brings the experience to a whole new level. More engaging, more personal, it’s a different machine. Better. This then, kicks off the Peugeot GTi revival for real.

It’s more powerful of course, and there’s a harder edge to its driver appeal, with real mid-range urge to leave most cars behind, laser-precise steering and a fabulously rigid platform for everything to work from. A flattering car to drive, this – well balanced and nimble in the bends, yet can be tempted to dance on the throttle.

To be in charge of it is, in a word, brilliant.

When seen in the flesh, the 208 GTi strikes a chord with its sharp looking face and muscular, ground hugging stance. Viewed from the front, it’s hard to determine the GTi from a regular 208, but it’s marked out by the chequered-grille and unique headlamp clusters (these have LED signal repeaters in a neat arc around the main beam).

Move away from the front and you’ll see sleek wheel arch extensions hovering over bespoke 17-inch wheels, chrome wing mirror covers, subtle top spoiler and a sharp-edged exhaust pipe nestling within the black and chrome rear diffuser. All that aside, it shares much with the standard variants, which is already starting to be a common sight here.

Devilishly smart looking red-on-metal GTi badges adorn the chrome ‘wings’ behind the rear windows, just like the 205 GTi had. No engine size this time though – 1.6 just doesn’t quite sound as exciting now as 1.9 did in 1987. Other neat detailing includes a red accent strip on the lower front grille and Peugeot lettering in the same shade.

Open the long doors (this car is available in three-door form only) and you’re greeted by the GTi-specific supportive low-slung sports seats. It’s snug without being tight, and feels racy enough so you stop dreaming of fancy Recaro buckets. You get as much rear seat as you do in a five-door 208, as to say there’s enough for four big adults in there, or five at a squeeze.

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There’s plenty of red inserts inside to match the exterior details. The aforementioned seats get a combination of Nappa leather with red and black fabric, which both look and grip well. Red stitching is present everywhere – on the seats, handbrake, steering wheel, the leather dashboard top (very classy, a first for the class), right down to the seat belts.

Door handles, centre aircon vents, instrument cluster surround and the gear knob have red inserts too, which can all get a bit too much if you’re not a fan of the colour. They look great on silver or even red cars, but less so on blue ones. Unfortunately, you won’t have a choice in the matter.

Aesthetically, it’s more handsome than awesome. This Pug may not have the head-turning form of the new Renault Clio RS 200, but as with Keith Richards, it’s not the looks that count. And while Keith performs best on lines of the white stuff, the 208 GTi lives for a diet of curved blacktop.

The king of the 208 pride has the PSA 1.6 litre turbocharged motor in its THP200 guise. That’s 200 hp at 5,800 rpm and 275 Nm at 1,700 rpm, the same configuration found in the top RCZ sports coupe. That’s also a lot of power to move a 1,160 kg car.

The choice of transmission is the same as in the RCZ too – the mill is exclusively paired to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox. That’s right, it’s DIY or nothing. Six speeds, three pedals, and no paddles. Told you it’s a proper hot hatch.

Numbers – 0-100 km/h takes no longer than 6.8 seconds, and top speed is 230 km/h. There’s enough torque to pull the car along in top gear from 80 to 120 km/h in 8.4 seconds, so there’s no need to drop gears and keep the engine boiling to get some serious go. You could of course, and should you do so the same manoeuvre will be over in 6.8 seconds.

It’s impressive stuff, this. Drive it like it should, and it redefines the term pocket rocket. Punch the engine and the car jumps out of the preceding corner to barrel along whatever road you’re on to unhealthy speeds, with nary a touch of torque steer felt from the weird-looking steering wheel.

It’s just too bad that it doesn’t sound anywhere near as dramatic as it goes. The 208 GTi misses out on the more expensive RCZ THP200’s trick exhaust system, leaving the engine on its own to deliver the aural drama. Fast it may be, but it doesn’t sound inspiring.

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Focus on driving and you’ll hardly notice the lack of noise. The clutch uptake is very linear, much improved from the RCZ’s clumsy set up. It’s light, extremely easy to modulate and enjoyable to rift through. Shift quality isn’t all that great if you nitpick, but you’ll be busy riding on the engine’s impressive flexibility to notice any real shortcomings on the drivetrain front.

Pay no attention to the beautiful, yet hard to read instrument panel and you’ll arrive at the next corner with a lot more speed that you really should. Fret not, as the 302 mm discs at the front and 249 mm at the rear provide controlled and incisive braking. Not that you’ll be braking all that much, as this thing turns pretty well too.

Compact on the outside with the wheels pushed out to the corners, the 208 base is ideal for a sports hatch. The chassis is no wet sock to begin with, and subtle but significant modifications performed on the GTI turn it into a real ramrod.

The dampers are firmer all around, with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars to match too. Track has grown by 10 mm at the front and double that round the back (hence the need for arch extensions), plus bigger wishbones to increase the GTi’s cornering talents. Everyday usability is also kept in check, and enough ‘give’ is factored in into the set up.

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Peugeot’s research suggests that buyers no longer accept wildly oversteering or understeering cars anymore, even in the hot hatch market. Thus, the 208 GTi is set out to have very balanced handling characteristics from the get go, while trying to recreate as much of the 205 GTi’s much hallowed road feel in it as possible.

The electronic power steering has been retuned for this purpose, offering less assistance in favour of more feedback. At least that’s what it’s meant to do – it certainly helps in the cause, but the end result isn’t entirely successful.

To drive, the small steering wheel is quick-acting but feels linear, enabling the tail to be caught with ease and precision, when need be. It’s super accurate and is weighty enough without overdoing it, and it’s a blast to blast around with. One thing distinctly missing from the equation, however, is steering feel, which is a shame when everything else stacks up so well.

The chassis communicates its intentions superbly – should the tail start to come loose, it’s all beautifully signalled and easy to bail up. The front end sticks with tenacity and the car as a whole is very well balanced – meeting its design objectives to a tee – but it has its limits, and will push wide when you try too hard.

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But when this occurs or when conditions unstick the 208 GTi, which it rarely will unless you really muck it up, the ESP is there to pick things up. Set up to a corner late and you’ll find the system doesn’t interfere to save the day until the car is properly out of shape. You can turn the electronic nanny completely off if you want – another rare commodity among Peugeots – but very few will, or even should.

It’s definitely a sharp car to drive quickly and effortlessly if you want it to be, and builds on the philosophy of what hot hatches should be like – an absolute riot to drive without the need to scare yourself silly while doing so.

The body’s quick responses are the key to its dynamic abilities and add to the well-balanced character of the 208 GTi. There’s no impending risk of chronic oversteer into corners, nor will it threaten to swap ends when you back off abruptly should you overcook the entry speed. That makes it very easy to drive hard, and a joy to exploit.

This is a true blue hot hatch that has come of age. It speaks immediately to all enthusiasts: performance, power, reactivity, with an aura of respect and desire. The 205 GTi may have naturally been its inspiration, but the 208 GTi is a thoroughly modern interpretation. It’s no one trick pony. This really is a performance car for everyday use.

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It rides well and deals to bumps, ruts and dips, ensuring that the car stays stable on the road. It borders on the right side of comfortable when you want things to settle down too, much better than what the current competition such as the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Renault Clio III RS 200 can muster.

In driving feel, it makes the Polo GTI feel like a fixed-axle skateboard with loose wheels, and while it doesn’t quite soar as high as the revered Clio RS in driver engagement and satisfaction, the difference between them isn’t as profound as you may think. Factor in the Pug’s far more forgiving ride and semi-premium interior feel and it’s the better all rounder.

And with the other French pocket-rocket moving on to paddle-based dual-clutch technology with the upcoming (five-door-only) Clio IV RS, suddenly it’s all looking rosy for the six-speed manual Peugeot. But while we can confidently say it’d stitch up the Volkswagen, we haven’t given the new Renault or the promising Ford Fiesta ST a squirt, so has better not get ahead of ourselves in naming it the new class king.

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To deconstruct the Peugeot marketing speak, this new 208 GTi really is the 205 GTi reincarnated, but one that’s more suitable to modern needs without sacrificing too much of what made the original such a legend in the first place.

In spirit and passion, nothing compares to the big daddy, though the 208 GTi makes a solid case in terms of driver appeal. It’s better balanced and is very nimble even compared to the very best. Our take, it’s no 205 GTi, but is an excellent little car by any standards.

In the case of the 208 GTi vs the Cynics, Peugeot’s defence reads a bit like this. While the GTi is based on the 208 and looks a lot like it, it’s fair to say that it has made a new and completely different car on the same platform. All of the components and criteria that really count – engine, chassis, suspension and appearance – are unique enough, and most importantly, it’s a properly thrilling drive.

Like most recent go-faster Peugeots before it, the 208 GTi will attract its fair share of cynics. It will have to live in the 205 GTi’s shadows, but just five minutes behind the wheel on twisting back roads should convince buyers that the new car is a real GTi at heart, with performance and handling to foot it with the very best. Consider us sold.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Josh Ling on Jun 17, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    with the right pricing, this car will definitely sell like hot cakes here in malaysia! awesome!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 73 Thumb down 4
  • shawal on Jun 17, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    cant expect new cars to be as light and nimble as their predecessors due to the added weight , its only natural as expectations on safety, refinement, ,gizmos and kit counts increases.
    200bhp is alot for a car that size , hats off to peugeot for going all d way , manual is fun , except after a hard days work in traffic jam

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 5
  • frenzyaustin on Jun 17, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    Fiesta ST, Polo GTi, 208 GTi, should do a complete comparison in the future.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 59 Thumb down 2
  • GrandSavrify on Jun 17, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 138
    • danielss1 on Jun 17, 2013 at 11:10 pm

      auto might as well drive ur ah soo myvi

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 58 Thumb down 19
      • semut on Aug 08, 2013 at 9:34 am

        GTi must be manual loh………. if you want auto , beli myvi ler bro

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • neemfa on Jun 18, 2013 at 8:23 am

      If you want Automatic, buy the normal 208. hehe

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 3
    • lonelyobserve on Jun 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm

      Europeans are very particular on fuel consumption and emission. 208 GTi with automatic transmission will cost car owners more money in long term run, from purchase price, fuel and road tax. Such combination will not gain happy car owners in long run for Peugeot.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
  • sepul on Jun 17, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Fun factors aside, dear Hafriz, you should also highlight to Peugeot for not properly engineers a right hand drive version, in particular, the positioning of the fuse box that eats up the glove box space.

    I’m sold too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 4
    • dannie on Jun 21, 2013 at 1:57 am

      yo! i recently got myself a 208 and despite the short coming at the glove box section, the 208 actually comes with many compartments that are quite big. you gotta check out the car in person.

      Not sure about you but I am happy with the compartments that came with it. :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Jab! Strong! Fierce! on Jun 17, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    Silver looks good here, I wish the red were the “flashier” version that was offered with the Polo GTi rather than the pale red here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Ilikevw on Jun 17, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    Golf – Often Copied. Never Equal.
    http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=-Sn5dpzPl0Q&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-Sn5dpzPl0Q

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 26
  • YeapyEvo on Jun 18, 2013 at 12:47 am

    Naza please price it at below 130k, definitely my choice if price correctly over the new RS Clio or Fiesta ST as Naza always got a way to undercut their competitors

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 15
  • jo jarjis on Jun 18, 2013 at 7:28 am

    Just curious.

    How’s this compare to Suzuki Swift Sport ?
    Somewhat Similar ?
    Totally different ?
    Cannot be compared ?
    Similar yet different ?

    Thanks

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 17
    • neemfa on Jun 18, 2013 at 8:18 am

      To sum it up, the SSS is a lukewarm hatch, this 208 GTi is a hot hatch.

      I’m sold.. the red stitches are fine but the red panels in the interior may be a tad overused, taking some ‘premiumness’ away..

      This car won’t sold like crazy but it’ll have its own followers and cult status, much like the Megane RS.

      I do hope it is priced competitively (lower than Polo GTI).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 4
    • sepul on Jun 18, 2013 at 9:20 am

      Maybe similar yet different. My personal view only.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
    • Power, the pug got way more horsey than SSS.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
  • Frenchshit on Jun 18, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Before you even think of this marque, try to read the horror news of their authorised service center.

    Expensive part prices, half ass service advisors, no ownership, and tai chi master. This car may be good but thinking of their after sales and dealing with monkeys there, no thank you.

    And to those that think i am just shooting it blankly, i do own a pug and seriously, this will be my last car from this marque.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 56
    • lobservateur on Jun 18, 2013 at 11:29 am

      this is comment is old news. i’m sure the company have taken steps to improve themselves or they’ll end up ruining their business.

      out of curiosity, what pug do you own and which service center has allegedly put a dent in your pug ownership experience?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 5
      • frenchshit on Jun 18, 2013 at 11:07 pm

        Mine is 407 and geoauto sc really sucks big time. 3 years ago and now, still the same shit. Dont even let me start on naza sc. Appointment is one month in advance. Promises made are never kept.

        The SA think they are little Napoleon. Enough said. Go buy and be emotion with this French shit. I am out of this.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 32
        • lobservateur on Jun 19, 2013 at 1:31 am

          wow, sounds you’ve been through a lot of mess. just wondering though, why stick to a few service centres for servicing? if i were you i’ll get in touch with other 407 owners in forums and send the car where the owners are satisfied with the service. but your issues aside, we certainly hope your story won’t deter potential pug owners and have them go through similar experience as yours, regardless of model.

          oh and, the 407 IS a lovely car to drive – minus the occasional emotional ‘outbursts’, of course.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 2
    • pugsucks on Jun 27, 2013 at 12:29 am

      my brother’s peugeot 207 keep getting problems after problems. first sudden shutdown just after service. then brakes screeching, still unsolved even after service. last got environmental fault somewhat. still unsolved. search the net and got lots of responses about this thing. now he wants to switch. recently he asked pug hq about 207 model now they say just after 1 and a half year, they want to stop production of this model, citing 208 as replacement. wtf pug?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • mayonis on Jun 18, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    can they use ‘GTi’ word? as i remember VW already register as their trademark/IP for the words GTI.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • anymore? on Jun 18, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      their rights only extend to SOME eu countries and in countries including Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, France and Austria. that is why in france, the 206GTi was known as 206RC.

      do read the article/s below to find out more:

      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2118286/Suzuki-GTI-Volkswagen-loses-legal-battle-stop-Japanese-firm-using-trademark-name.html

      http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/kent_motors_news/2012/march/26/volkswagen_loses_gti_trademark.aspx

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
    • Aiyo GG on Jun 21, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      if it is the case, VW shouldn’t use GTI too…have you forgotten proton’s Satria “GTI”?!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • cosmothegod on Jun 20, 2013 at 10:44 am

    Slap on a NAZA badge and sell it for RM106k. Same car what..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
    • intermilan on Jun 21, 2013 at 11:13 am

      I think Nasim has been ridiculed enough when they did that to the naza 206 bestari and learnt the lesson.

      Since then, there are other better ways to sell a Peugeot as a Peugeot and keep the asking price low.

      But the GTi will most probably be a CBU. So fat chance it will be sold below RM130K. Lowest could be in RM150K region, althrough I dont mind at all, if they sell it for cheaper.

      Competitions price in Msia:
      1. VW Polo GTi ~RM157K OTR
      2. Focus Fiesta ST N/A
      3. Renault Clio RS N/A Expected price when launched ~RM200K OTR

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • superman on Jun 21, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    its still a Peugeot, everything will fall apart after a year

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 14
    • oceanpacify on Jun 22, 2013 at 2:19 am

      that’s quite a sweeping statement.

      if you do you own one, of which i doubt, does it fall apart after a year like you claim?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • useless car Toyota Vios also can easily smoke this car or knock this car into rubbish bin. no safety at all.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 29
    • oceanpacify on Jun 23, 2013 at 12:33 am

      rejoice people!

      FINALLY, someone pointed out that Vios is a useless car and the reasons for its production – BRAVO!

      i really hope that this guy is not working for T or he might end up packing his desk come Monday morning.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • Amiey on Jun 24, 2013 at 10:37 am

    I had owned 4 cars in Peugeot family, all Citroens. Handling, comfort, chassis strength, performance (manual) and durability are superb. One of them had protected me physically (with God’s blessing) in a head on accident. Im looking forward to purchase 208Gti if price is right. Im not worry about service support since I know the engineering part of it but only worry about the parts overprice and availability. Anyone can clarify about pricing and service quality? Thanks.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • oceanpacify on Jun 24, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    i don’t know any specifics but i could suggest you visit Peugeot Malaysia’s FB page for any inquiries.

    all the best.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • jimihendrix on Aug 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Hi guys, car rookie here curious bout manual turbos(overall turbos too actually) and disc brakes. 2 quick questions tho regarding this model;
    Q1: Any idea when the turbo kicks in(which rpm/gear etc)?
    Q2: Why is there 2 different disc sizes, the front being bigger than the rear?
    Thanks!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
 

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