New Peugeot e-208 GTi revealed: small electric car gets punchy hot hatch variant
A new fiery range-topper has been introduced for the Peugeot e-208, and it offers 276bhp...
On sale 2026 Price from £40,000 (est)
In the famous Japanese media franchise, Pokémon, each character has a final evolutionary form which represents it at its highest potency. And the Peugeot e-208 GTi is the equivalent in the e-208 range.
Fitted with a 276bhp electric motor, this electric hot hatch can officially sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7sec. That’s a healthy boost over the regular e-208, which pumps out 154bhp in its most potent form. In fact, it’s quicker and punchier than an Abarth 500e and an Alpine A290, but other rivals, such as the MG4 XPower and Smart #1 Brabus, have huge advantages in power.
The e-208 GTi’s 54kWh (total capacity) battery is good for an official range of 217 miles between charges, but you won’t get that far in real-world driving. Most other rivals boast higher official figures – for example, the Alpine A290 can officially travel up to 236 miles, while the Smart #1 Brabus can go even further, at an official 248 miles.
It’ll take just under eight hours for the e-208 GTi to recharge from a 7.4kW home charger. When you’re out and about, it can charge at speeds of up to 100kW, allowing for a 20-80% top-up in less than 30 minutes.
The e-208 GTi also benefits from vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, which allows you to charge up external devices using the car’s battery. To do that, you’ll need to opt for an additional adaptor, though.
Having been taken off sale in 2019, the old 208 GTi produced slightly less power but was still fun to drive, even if it wasn’t the fastest or best handling hot hatch on the market. If the new electric version is anything like the combustion model from the 2010s, it should offer some impressive speed and nimble agility.
To help with this, Peugeot has re-engineered the Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes specifically for the GTi. In Sport mode, for instance, the regenerative braking system is completely switched off so you get a more natural braking feel from the mechanical brakes. The steering weight and accelerator response are enhanced, too.
On the outside, the e-208 GTi gets some subtle design changes from the regular model, including a lowered body, which means you’ll be riding 30mm closer to the ground, larger 18in alloy wheels with GTi badging, and a spoiler added to the bottom of the front bumper. It’s also available exclusively in a unique red colour, which is designed to draw on the popular red paint of the well-loved 205 GTi model from the 1980s.
That red theme continues inside onto the carpets, floor mats and seat belts. The front seats get red detailing alongside new higher-quality fabrics. We've had the chance to sit inside the e-208 GTi and found the seats to be comfortable and tightly bolstered, so they should be able to hug you in place when cornering at speed.
The e-208 GTi gets the same infotainment system as in the regular car, with a digital instrument cluster alongside a sharp 10.0in infotainment touchscreen complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, as well as an integrated 3D sat-nav.
What’s different is the red theme across both screens and the fact that you can also view performance information specific to the e-208 GTi. Red ambient lighting comes as the default, but you can change it to one of seven other colours.
Interior quality is generally very good, with plush faux suede Alcantara furnishing the steering wheel and centre console, with the latter provided extra cushioning for your knees when cornering (this area is hard plastic on the regular car). You also get some thicker floor mats which should hopefully stand the test of time.
The Peugeot e-208 GTi is set to arrive in showrooms next year. Prices aren’t yet revealed, but we’d expect them to start at around £40,000. That’s pricier than most rivals, including the Alpine A290, but a Smart #1 Brabus will cost you slightly more.
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