Peugeot has given its 208 GTi more power and a new suspension set up in an effort to recreate some of the magic that made its hot hatches famous in the past.
Built to honor of the 205 GTi's 30th birthday, the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition is Peugeot's take on what the ultimate modern hot hatch should be. The upgrades start with the engine, where the 208 GTi's turbocharged 1.6-liter engine has been boosted from 197hp (147 Kw) to 208 hp (155 Kw). The torque figure has also been bumped from 275 Nm to 300 Nm, giving the driver a bit more in-gear shove. The extra power helps the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.5 seconds.
But there's more to the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary than just a power boost.
Putting that power through the front wheels is a 6-speed manual gearbox from the RCZ-R coupled with a Torsen differential and 6. There's also a new steering setup and ompared to the standard 208 GTi, the 30th Anniversary features bigger brakes, with 323 mm front discs clamped by four-piston Brembo calipers.
To provide a sharper handling, the limited edition 208 GTi features a 22 mm wider front track and 16 mm wider rear track than the standard car, and sits on suspension that is 10 mm lower to give it what Peugeot calls a "pronounced sports car posture on the road".
Unlike 30 years ago, when the 205 GTi was king, electronic aids are a big part of any modern sports car, so Peugeot has retuned the GTi's ESP to allow the driver more slip before interfering.
Visually, the 30th Anniversary edition sets itself apart from your garden variety 208 GTi by replacing its chrome highlights with matte black – a finish which carried over to the 18-inch wheels.
Inside, the driver and passenger sit on specially designed bucket seats, and the standard GTi's funky red and black highlights are replaced by gloss black dash inserts.
The 208 GTi 30th Anniversary was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and will be available in the striking two-tone finish shown in the pictures, or in more subtle shades of red and white.
Source: Peugeot
