Peugeot 208 GTi farewelled in style

The Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive has been released in limited numbers, starting the countdown to an all-new 208 model to be launched globally in March of next year.

Just 20 units of the Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive, priced from $33,990, including on-road costs, are being offered to Australian consumers.

"The 208 GTi Édition Définitive will become a collector's vehicle, much like the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary and the 205 GTi model that paved the way for performance Peugeots almost 35 years ago," said Peugeot Australia MD, Anouk Poelmann.

"The 208 GTi Édition Définitive is the perfect way to mark the end of production of the current 3-door vehicle for Australia.

"With its outstanding value as well as its mechanical, performance, safety and visual upgrades, we expect the 208 GTi Édition Définitive to be snapped up very quickly," Ms Poelmann was quoted saying in a press release.

All 20 vehicles are finished in Pearl White paint with matte black accents replacing chrome items and all complemented by Peugeot Sport badging on the C pillars.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is fitted with a new exhaust system and has been retuned for higher output of 208bhp (153kW), which Peugeot claims is enough for a 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than the standard 208 GTi. A six-speed manual gearbox relays the torque via a Torsen limited-slip differential to the front wheels. To accommodate the differential's operation, the stability and traction control systems of the Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive have been recalibrated for later intervention.

In addition, the Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive features wider track (22mm front and 16mm rear), 10mm lower ride height, bespoke spring and damper settings, softer anti-roll bars plus revised suspension geometry. Matte black 18-inch alloy wheels are half an inch wider than the standard 208 GTi wheels and come fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Four-piston red Brembo calipers are matched to the 323x28mm disc rotors at the front and grey calipers are fitted at the rear. Peugeot has dropped the spare wheel of the standard 208 GTi in favour of a tyre inflation kit to save weight.

Inside, the Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive comes equipped as standard with Peugeot Sport seats upholstered in Alcantara and featuring red stitching. Red embroidered floor mats bearing the 'Peugeot Sport' legend are also fitted and the Peugeot 208 GTi Édition Définitive offers satellite navigation as standard.

Standard autonomous emergency braking sets the limited-edition model apart from other Peugeot 208 GTi models, which are not available with the advanced safety system. In the limited-edition model it employs LiDAR on the windscreen to stop the car automatically at speeds below 15km/h or brake to reduce the severity of the impact between 15 and 30km/h.

Peugeot 208 GTi models remaining in stock are being run out with driveaway pricing (inclusive of on-road costs) of $29,990. Five-door models are also being run out with prices discounted by between $2500 and $4700.