A sneak peek at Peugeot's 207 GTi

We’ve already sampled the warmed-over Peugeot 207GT (see story here), but here’s a preliminary look at the full-monty GTi version, which debuts in March at the Geneva motor show.

The GTi starts off with the same basic ingredients as the GT, but ups the ante via a pumped-up version of the 1.6-litre turbo engine that powers the latter, as well as more focused suspension settings and a more purposeful wheel/tyre package.

Peugeot was synonymous with hot-hatches during the era in which it gave us firecrackers such as the 205 GTi, but the Gallic brand seemingly lost its way with the subsequent 206 GTi, which failed to recapture the magic of its forerunner.

Could the 207 GTi be the car that will again win over the hearts and minds of performance enthusiasts? Time will tell, but the generally positive reviews the lesser GT has garnered bodes well for the upcoming flagship 207.

Under the GTi’s snout nestles the same 1.6-litre turbo engine that’s used by the new-generation Mini Cooper S, and this unit puts out 130kW and 240Nm, which puts it in the same ballpark as the Renaultsport Clio 182 -- currently acknowledged as the doyen of the hot-hatch brigade.

But while the Mini Cooper S benefits from a slick six-speed manual transmission, Peugeot has curiously opted to equip the 207 GTi with only a five-speeder -- curious in this day and age, when six-speeders are becoming the norm even in less exalted offerings.

Peugeot’s boffins argue that the engine’s fat torque band, which sees 240Nm coming on tap from a low 1600rpm, eliminates the need for a sixth ratio. We’ll be able to judge for ourselves when we eventually drive the car – in the meantime Peugeot is claiming a 0-100km/h time of 7.2sec.

Visual clues that differentiate the GTi from lesser siblings include a subtle rear boot spoiler, silver door mirrors and 17-inch alloys. It looks sporty in isolation, but seems a bit ho-hum compared to the latest Renaultsport Clio 197, which has a fatter stance and a trick looking rear aerodynamic diffuser.

But what will be really interesting to ascertain is whether it’s a better drive than the Clio 197. All will be revealed when it launches here in 2007.