The winding roads, climbs and descents, and country roads of Scotland provided the setting for a road test of the new Peugeot E-208 GTi, the French brand’s first fully electric car to carry the historic GTi sporting designation.
The new E-208 GTi was presented in its final production version at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The model builds on the concept unveiled in 2025 and brings into the electric era a name that was introduced 40 years ago with the 205 GTi. The E-208 GTi is equipped with an electric motor producing 280 hp and 345 Nm of torque, combined with front-wheel drive. Torque management is also supported by a mechanical limited-slip differential, while the chassis has been revised to adapt the 208 to the higher performance of the GTi version. During the test on Scottish roads, the work carried out on the suspension setup is particularly evident. The car was developed by Peugeot Sport and Peugeot Design with the aim of retaining the characteristics of previous GTi models, with modifications made to the suspension, steering and dynamic behavior.
The increased track width and the specific suspension tuning further contribute to changing the car’s behavior compared with the standard E-208. The electric motor responds immediately, while the availability of instant torque allows the car to accelerate promptly when exiting corners. The limited-slip differential helps manage traction at the front wheels, while the specific tuning of the suspension and steering supports the car through changes of direction.
The new E-208 GTi also retains its compact dimensions, a key element of the GTi formula. The project was developed with the aim of transferring to electric propulsion the characteristics that have defined the history of Peugeot’s small sports cars: compact dimensions, performance and a focus on dynamic behavior.
