Peugeot 208 GTi to be reborn as an EV
Next chapter of Peugeot’s iconic GTi sub-brand to be revealed at the Le Mans 24 Hour race this JunePeugeot has announced it will unveil its new 2026 Peugeot 208 GTi EV on June 13 ahead of the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race, reinventing its famous GTi sub-brand for the electric age.
Full technical details concerning the Peugeot 208 GTi EV will be released at launch, but the French brand did reveal that its Alpine A290 or Abarth 500e rival would be “fun to drive, agile, powerful” and has been “built to deliver an unforgettable driving experience”.
There’s been no official confirmation, but it’s thought the new 208 GTi EV will pool resources within the Stellantis group and pinch its all-electric powertrain from the Abarth 600e that rides on the same e-CMP platform.
That means the first-ever all-electric Peugeot GTi sports a single front-mounted e-motor that will produce 177kW and 345Nm of torque, combined with a 54kWh battery that should provide a range of around 340km.
Later, a more powerful version will borrow from the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and dial up power to 207kW (torque remains the same at 345Nm). That car is expected to carry ‘208 GTi By Peugeot Sport’ badging.
Boosting traction, both Peugeot GTis will come with a Torsen limited-slip differential plus a dedicated chassis tune that will include stiffer springs, uprated dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and a big performance brake package.
Quicker steering, lightweight bucket seats, and some kilo-cutting optional parts might also be on the menu.
When it comes to performance, expect the standard GTi to launch to 100km/h in around 6.0 seconds, while the faster variant will dip below 5.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250km/h.
Until now, Peugeot has yet to offer a GTi version of its second-generation (P21) 208 and last offered a car with the legendary nameplate back in 2021 when sales of the second-gen 308 GTi ended.
Reviving the GTi as an EV is likely to prove a controversial one for enthusiasts of the French brand, with the original nameplate first employed by Peugeot back in 1984 for its legendary 205 GTi.
Sharing costs of the new Peugeot 208 GTi is the news that it is reportedly being developed alongside a hotter version of the battery-powered Vauxhall/Opel Corsa.
Interestingly, despite the high-profile switch to electric, Peugeot has been careful not to rule out the return of a traditional combustion-powered GTi, suggesting a petrol version could appear later if there’s demand.
Originally, Peugeot Australia had announced that it planned to import the E-208 alongside the larger E-2008, but those plans were scrapped following a decline in EV sales.
It’s thought the chances of ever seeing the 208 GTi return Down Under, even as an EV, appear unlikely.
More teasers are expected in the build-up to the 2026 Peugeot 208 GTi EV’s June 13 unveiling.
Related: Power bump for top-spec Alfa Romeo Junior
Related: Fast electric Abarth 600e SUV revealed
Related: Peugeot 208 GTi farewelled in style
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
