Peugeot 208 GTl

Nice Performance version of Peugeot's latest super mini looks to restore the firm’s tarnished legacy of GTI-badged hot hatches.

When it comes to the business of successfully attaching the letters ‘G’, ‘T’ and ‘I’ to a cogent product, Peugeot has had more false dawns than Microsoft. For every virtuous edition of Windows there seem to have been at least three Vista-like shoeboxes of awfulness. But while Renault, as we have already seen, can barely distance each new hot Clio from the shining brilliance of the previous car, Peugeot has to skip back generations to the 205 like a faltering NASA spokesman continually referencing the Apollo moon landings.

Peugeot 208 GTl

Mercifully, away from the hot air of its marketing campaign, the manufacturer is prepared to admit that the new 208 GTI is not intended as the second coming. Rather than catering to the 205 GTI’s spirited scamp ethos, the latest model is merely a lower, leaner and quicker version of the current 208 super mini, calculated to snare a likely older audience with a more subtle (and by now, practically industry-standard) approach to super mini hot hatchery.

Many of its additions, then, are customary, and can be listed without surprise. Unlike some demonically tweaked rivals, the GTI is only gently differentiated from its lesser siblings, so whether you like its styling or not will depend on what you think of the donor car. For our money, the 208 would need a far deeper, far costlier nose graft to return its front end to prettiness, but otherwise the slightly wider track (10mm more at the front, 20mm at the rear) is just about picked out by slender arches and skirts, and a backwards baseball cap of a spoiler.

Beneath the stubby bonnet and swaddled in close-fitting bodywork is PSA’s familiar turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, now running its higher 197bhp RCZ coupe output. Around that, Peugeot has installed the usual accoutrements; a reinforced front subframe complements fatter struts, sports springs, tauter dampers and beefier anti-roll bars, with bigger brakes and revised steering settings helping to better control the show.

Turbocharged, 197bhp 1.6 is shared with the RCZ coupe; wheels are relatively modest 17s; detail touches differentiate from the standard 208; GTPs exhaust note lacks drama

As well as all the adding, the GTI benefits from some subtraction. At 1160kg, the car is 165kg lighter than the lardy 207 GTI - not feather light by any stretch of the imagination, but an improvement nonetheless, especially considering that it’s reasonably well equipped with 17-inch alloys, DAB radio, dual-zone air-con and rear parking sensors as standard.

Inside, memory of the standard 208’s tin-box clunkiness is swiftly expunged. Admittedly, the GTI is afflicted with the same dislocated interior - instrument cluster half­-hidden by the helm, an afterthought of a multimedia screen and glossy fascia looking anything but - yet the important things ring true. The gearknob is a fistful of indented metal, the steering wheel is baby-armed in rim width but petite in diameter and the sports seats both cosset and cradle really rather brilliantly.

It’s a pity, then, that the soundtrack doesn’t quite share the same billing. While receiving the same engine as the RCZ, the 208 doesn’t get that car’s trick exhaust, which means there’s not much to embellish the four-pot’s rather characterless drone. Out and about, though (and in line with Peugeot’s game plan), it’s a hospitable unit The GTI doesn’t suffer from the 208’s lack of driveline refinement - even if there is some low-down hesitation in the throttle response - and, with 0-62mph dealt with in 6.8sec, there are guts enough on tap.

GTPs chassis is stiffer and lowered, but not to extremes; in fact, it rides quite well

What you don’t get are much in the way of fireworks. The dependable rocket of203lb ft of turbocharged torque from 1700rpm is admirable and potent, yes, but largely unwilling to deviate from its flat trajectory. Granted, our test car was very tight and forced to occasionally work at altitude, but revving it out wasn’t addictive, frenzied fun - and especially so given that the aural accompaniment is a restrained confusion of whistle and whine.

The same emphasis on flexibility is recognizable in the chassis, although here, hearteningly, it is handled with a little more pizazz. While stiffer springs have been installed, the ride height has only descended by 8mm; give the steering wheel a quick jiggle and the 208 bobs merrily on its travel rather than instantly hunting for a change of direction. This leeway helps give the GTI a degree of leniency; rougher surfaces are smoothed away somewhat, and on the low-frequency disturbances of French surfacing it duly rides rather well.

GTI shares the standard 208’s basic cabin architecture, including a steering wheel at odds with the instrument panel

The downside is a touch more lean when you start to tie it on. But this, too, is neatly damped, in a way that almost feels like what might be described as characteristically -> Peugeot if so many years hadn’t passed between this car and the 306 GTI. The 208 eases organically into its grip and line and the steering is a better rudder than it is guide. However, its wooden weight is not unduly inhibited by torque steer, and its size and quickness deliver enough nimbleness to keep you interested.

The chassis willingly colludes in such eagerness. There’s balance and responsiveness, and through medium-fast bends the sense is that the car is pivoting at mid ships. Doubtless for some tastes there won’t be enough susceptibility to mid-comer throttle adjustments, but there’s sufficient rear-axle involvement to help trim the angle of attack. Try harder still and the 208 will cock a showboating back wheel until excess power cheerily spins up the inside front tire.

Purposeful pedals imply appropriate sporting intent; sports seats do an excellent job; metal gearknob is chunky and tactile; instruments are half-hidden by the steering wheel

No amount of rubber smoke, however, will convince you that this GTI is a proper barnstormer, but just as we will probably have to stop searching for the next Clio 200 Cup, Peugeot wasn’t looking to build the next 205 GTI. A further 100kg saving, a zingier engine and a stiffer chassis would doubtless have supplied a car closer to our enthusiast heart, but this is, as it was meant to be, a congenial little hot hatch. It’s easily bearable around town, usable on a commute and just enough of a giggle when the whim or right occasion arises. Peugeot was once a master at balancing these attributes, and there’s evidence enough here to suggest that the hot 208 can enter the forthcoming fray between it, the Clio RS 200 Turbo and Ford Fiesta ST with its head held high. Welcome back to GTI, Peugeot.

Handling is eager but, despite appearances, it may not be playful enough for some

Pros

·         Handling balance

·         Flexible engine

·         Decent ride comfort

Cons

·         Sonically flat

·         Inherited styling

·         Aloof steering

Verdict

·         Very desirable performance hatch, but it lacks ultimate feedback

Tester’s note

·         Once disengaged, the traction control doesn’t continually remind you it’s off.