Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, our test drive - Auto Sportive

Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport, our road test

La Peugeot 208 GTi it is a very good car: it is fast, well-groomed, practical and even a little thirsty at a leisurely pace. However, when you start to get serious, this is not always normal, and you also find yourself too restrained and tame.

La Peugeot 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport was born to demonstrate that 208 GTI can do with correct settings. This version features a limited-slip differential, a quieter exhaust that gives it another 8 hp. (only 208, as it turns out), more powerful braking system and tighter tuning: everything you need to transform a Peugeottina from a great sports car for everyone. days in a precision instrument for the track.

Special inside and outside

In this two-tone red and black Peugeot 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport it looks really special. There is also a riot of black and red in the interior: visible stitching, a red front sight on the top of the steering wheel, red floor mats. The balance between sportiness and elegance on 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport it has been ditched in favor of something decidedly more aggressive, but it helps introduce you to a car that looks but isn't a simple GTi.

La seat low и tiny steering wheel metabolism takes some time. This certainly gives a greater sense of agility, and thanks to the reduced diameter, the steering is also more straightforward, even if it sometimes lacks precision in heavy traffic.

Sound, another soft element of the standard 208 GTi, has been redesigned. At idle, the Peugeot makes a raucous, gurgling sound and growls with more enthusiasm, but never annoying.

Solid and clean

However, the first big difference is in the lower back. There 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport it's tougher, tougher and more uncompromising, and it doesn't matter if you remind you of that on every hatch. I head straight for the mountain road to see how the GTi responds to the bad handling in difficult mixed conditions. The difference is remarkable. The nose of the 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport is very fast in turns, which contributes to Limited slip differential Torsen which works so well that the front wheels look glued on. The grip is so great that some tight corners can be tackled with full throttle with the confidence that the nose will never budge. The back, on the other hand, moves, and so does a lot. In tight turns The 208 GTi rolls over smoothly if you ask. You can increase the throttle, press the brake or start it by turning the steering, you decide how to do it. It's a lot of fun and helps in cramped quarters, but at speed you can feel the taillight a lot, especially when it comes off a lot when it looks like the rear wheels have chosen independence. All of this is definitely exciting: after a few targeted interventions, the 208 is a precise, sharp and engaging car.

Theundercut it is truly uncompromising and resembles one of the Fiesta ST, clearly telling you about everything that is happening below you. The speed it can reach on these roads is impressive, but the dense train also highlights some of the Peugeot's shortcomings. In fact, the engine is still somewhat flat and linear, and lacks nasty at the highs. Too bad, because that would be the icing on the cake and eliminate all the quiet parts of the standard 208 GTi. The 323cm brakes are powerful and the pedal feels great, but the pedal is not perfectly positioned and the gearbox tends to jam (especially between second and third) when you start to pull.

For demanding clients

Despite these small flaws, the 208 GTi does a lot. angrier and funnier after the Peugeot Sport treatment. С price price list 26.000 euro it is 3.400 euros more expensive than 208 GTi standard... Is this a better car? It depends. For those looking for a sports car for every day, the 208 GTi should be the one to go for. It's fun, fast, and good for your back, and good for both vacation and mountain road riding. However, if you rely on the driving experience, 208 GTi from Peugeot Sport wins without hands. She is snappy, precise and angry, and while she lacks an engine, she more than makes up for it with her uncompromising attitude and temperament.