Nasim has officially introduced the Peugeot 208 GTi in Malaysia. The three-door (it’s only available as such) hot hatch – which was on display at Peugeot Blue Box Glenmarie a couple of weeks back – was launched a short while ago at the new Peugeot Old Klang Road outlet, and arrives to take its place at the top of the Peugeot 208 model range in the country.
The car, which made its debut in Paris last year, is powered by a PSA 1.6 litre turbocharged motor in its THP200 guise, with 200 hp at 5,800 rpm and 275 Nm at 1,700 rpm for output figures, identical to that found in the RCZ THP 200 variant.
It’s paired with a six-speed close ratio manual gearbox transmission, and performance figures include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.8 seconds and a 230 km/h top speed. Fuel economy is a claimed 5.9 litres per 100 km on a combined drive cycle. Some other numbers – the boot volume is 311 litres, going up to 1,152 litres with the rear seats folded.
Sitting on a 10 mm widened track at the front and 20 mm widened track at the rear, the 208 GTi features variant-distinct styling cues to differentiate it from its 208 siblings, with a chequered radiator grille, widened wheel arches and special body sills heading the list. The headlamps, which feature LED DRLs, are still halogens (the entire 208 range doesn’t feature bi-Xenons), but differ in design to that found on the standard 208, with square-shaped inserts.
Also on, C-pillar quarter panel inserts stamped with GTi lettering as a tribute to its illustrious predecessor, the 205 GTi, chrome wing mirrors, a model specific spoiler, a gloss black rear skirt dressed with chrome accents and a chrome-finished dual exhaust tailpipe. Completing the exterior job are 17-inch two-tone Carbon design alloy wheels wrapped with 205/45 rubbers, replete with diamond-cut wheel caps.
Plenty of red detailing to be found, as seen in Hafriz’s comprehensive review of the car from the international drive in France earlier in the year – externally, the brake calipers, lower front grille finisher and GTi lettering on the car features the shade, but it’s the interior that really works the colour.
The black interior is peppered with lots of red accents – the Club Nappa leather/Caro Weave fabric combination bucket seats get dressed with it, as are the door handles, centre aircon vents, instrument cluster surround and the gear knob. Red stitching adds on to this, and can be found on the seats, handbrake, steering wheel, the leather dashboard top and even for the seat belts.
Elsewhere, the instrument panel is surrounded by red LEDs, and the dials – which have a matt and gloss chequered background – have needles that light up in, you guessed it, red. Aluminium elements provide further contrast, found on the brake lever handle, gear knob, the foot pedals, door sills and on the steering wheel.
Standard fitment items include a panoramic roof, interactive HD seven-inch colour touchscreen, a six-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system with USB, Bluetooth and audio streaming, dual-zone climate control air conditioning and cruise control.
There’s also Smart Park Assist, which helps the driver to parallel park the car. The driver only needs to control the accelerator pedal, clutch and brakes, and the system automatically steers itself; front and rear parking aids provide both audible and visual cues, the latter through the touchscreen display.
In terms of safety, the 208 GTi is equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, ABS, EBA and electronic brake-force distribution, as well as six airbags and front pre-tensioning seatbelts.
Available in two exterior colours, Digital White and Rogue Red, the Peugeot 208 GTi is priced at RM139,888, on-the-road with insurance. As with all existing Peugeot models in Nasim’s line-up, the 208 GTi comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage as well as a lifetime 24-hours Peugeot Assistance service.
Read Hafriz’s complete test report of the Peugeot 208 GTi here.
