Peugeot GTI back on the agenda

After last year saying it would shift its focus from GTI-badged hot-hatches to premium coupes, Peugeot is now set to do an about-face by creating a successor to the 207 GTI.

UK's Autocar magazine reports that the French lion is conceiving a GTI version of the car that will replace the 207 -- in all likelihood badged 208 -- as part of the company's drive to rediscover its traditional product strengths.

The publication quoted Jean-Marc Gales, director of both the Peugeot and Citroën brands, as saying future Peugeots will be known for their "precision, allure, style, driver control and excellence".

It's believed Peugeot is aiming to recapture the kind of magic that made the 1980s 205 GTI one of the all-time classic hot-hatches.

Autocar is speculating that the 208 GTI (if indeed, that is what it will be known as), will be powered by the same 147kW 1.6-litre THP engine that recently debuted in the stunning RCZ coupe, which launches here in the second half of 2010.

Peugeot Australia boss Ken Thomas recently waxed lyrical about the slinky coupe, saying: "The RCZ got a lot of attention when it was unveiled as a concept car, and we are confident that the car will receive even more attention on the road.

"Peugeot has definitely maintained the spirit and flair of that original design. We will be offering high performance petrol and diesel engines when the car arrives here."

Getting back to the 208, it will reportedly be lighter than the 207, as part of Peugeot's ongoing initiative to gain fuel economy and dynamic benefits through shedding mass.

According to Autocar, entry-level 208s will get three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and stop-start tech. However, even the GTI will gain some fuel-saving and CO2-reducing technologies.

The magazine goes on to suggest the 208 will launch in 2012, and will sport some of the design language pioneered by the SR1 sports concept.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi