Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot 208 GTi and GTi by Peugeot Sport review - a return to 205 GTi form? - Peugeot 208 GTi Performance

The Peugeot 208 GTI trying to channel the spirit of its seminal predecessor, the original 205 GTI. Does the latest hot hatch get close?

Evo rating
RRP
from £19,515
  • Best Peugeot hot hatchbacks in years; fast and involving
  • Ford Fiesta ST runs it very close

Performance and 0-60mph time

Naturally, it’s the car wearing official Peugeot Sport badging that’s the fastest of the GTis, but not by the margin you might expect thanks to the modest power difference between the two.

evo has timed the regular 208 GTi to 62mph in 6.8 seconds (it's 6.8sec officially too), while the claimed top speed is 143mph. The 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport snaps to 62mph in 6.5sec, just a few tenths quicker than the standard car (partially determined by the extra 25kg it carries, at 1185kg), and tops out at the same 143mph.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The manner in which each gets there differs little too, with both feeling very fast for their size (the Peugeot Sport is just a little more rampant as the boost builds) and slicing cleanly, if not with much tactility, through their six ratios.

Unfortunately, both also share the same flaw, albeit to a lesser degree in the Peugeot Sport – the 1.6-litre engine just doesn’t have enough aural appeal. We described the regular GTi as ‘muted and apologetic’ in evo 184 – an 'unenthusiastic drone’ would be another way of putting it – and while the Peugeot Sport has a slightly deeper exhaust note, there’s still little incentive to use that ample performance beyond the rate at which the scenery passes.

 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era
Jaguar 2026 front
News

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era

Jaguar’s new electric GT continues testing ahead its late-2025 reveal
7 Feb 2025
Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring
Alpine A110 Ultime
News

Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring

The most focussed A110 yet lowers the Nordschleife time of the A110 R by 20 seconds, going some way to justifying its expected £180,000 price tag
7 Feb 2025
Polestar 1 (2019 - 2022) – review, history and specs of a modern unicorn
Polestar 1 front
Reviews

Polestar 1 (2019 - 2022) – review, history and specs of a modern unicorn

One of the most appealing electrified vehicles on offer from any manufacturer, but not without its flaws
8 Feb 2025