​Peugeot has pulled the wraps of a new version of its e208 which bears the legendary GTI badge. Is it going to be a return to the legendary Peugeot hot-hatches like the 205, 106 and 306 we all loved? Or a bit of a damp squib like the 206? Here’s all we know so far about Peugeot’s first electric GTI, and the first Peugeot to wear the badge for four years.

Is it going to be fast?

It certainly is. It has a 276bhp motor powering the front wheels. It will be helped by a relatively light 1,596kg kerb weight. Although this is heavier than the Alpine A290 it is less than the MINI Cooper E JCW. 

Peugeot is claiming a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds, which is faster than both the Alpine A290 (6.4 seconds) and the MINI Cooper JCW (5.9 seconds). For comparison, the 205 GTi 1.6 managed 9.1 seconds and even the legendary T16 mid-engined rally special posted a 6.0 second time. Top speed is limited to 112mph, like in many EVs to save the battery and widen the tyre choices.

What’s the powertrain?

The e-208 GTi is equipped with the M4+ electric motor that develops 276bhp and offers an impressive torque of 345 Nm. If those figures look familiar, it’s because the kit is borrowed from other hot cars in the Stellantis stable, such as the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima and Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica Veloce. Thankfully, e-208 GTI is easier to spell, and pronounce on the phone when talking to your insurance broker.

The CATL battery is the shared with the ‘normal’ e-208s too, with a gross capacity of 54 kWh. In the GTi it benefits from special management that protects it in performance driving with specific cooling system. 

There’s also a limited-slip differential integrated into the reducer gears to make sure all the power isn’t wasted in tyre smoke. 

What about the chassis?

The e-208 GTi is the first all-electric car designed by Peugeot’s Sport division, which means they’ve had a good tinker with the chassis. 

The track of the car has been widened by 56 mm at the front and 27 mm at the rear, along with a body lowered by 30 mm. The springs and shock absorbers have specific hydraulic stops. Michelin have developed special Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and there’s a new rear anti-roll bar, offer an ideal compromise between efficiency in sports mode and comfort in everyday driving.The ESP system also offers a specific Sport mode that suspends driver assistance systems if you are on the track.

For the brakes, it features front discs with a diameter of 355 mm, featuring fixed callipers with four pistons specifically designed to optimise cooling. The callipers are painted red. 

Does it look the part?

Yes, and there are some nice nods to the classic 205 too. For starters it receives an exclusive bright red body colour, which matches the shade popularised on the first 205 GTis. The bright red theme continues on the carpets, floor mats and seat belts.

The seats are new too, with integrated headrests at the front, with a central red trim that extends across the seat and backrest, and a red mesh on the right side of the seats. There’s Alcantara on the steering wheel and sides of the centre console too.

The tiny steering wheel features perforated red leather combined with Alcantara and a central emblem that also turns red. 

Outside,  the wheel arches have been widened to accommodate the increased tracks and highlighted with a sporty red stripe. The 18-inch wheels aren’t huge by modern standards but are distinctive, with a massive ‘GTI’ badge across the centres. The perforated shape nods to the iconic ‘Hole’ wheels of the 205 GTi 1.9. 

How much will it cost?

There’s no word on prices yet, but you’d better brace yourself. The Alfa Junior with the same hardware is nearly £50,000, but the Fiat 600e  Scorpionissima starts at £39,875. The Alpine A290 is £33,490 while the

MINI Cooper JCW costs £38,420. We’d guesstimate a price which will be bang up against the MINI.