Exactly 30 years ago, Peugeot made this car: the 205 GTi. A true legend.
This is the ultimate - 80's - hot hatch. Yet Peugeot never managed to exceed it.
Like the 208 GTi: nice fun car, but the Fiesta ST and Clio RS better it.
Now, for the 205 GTi's 30th birthday, Peugeot will solve all that.
As a sporty car, the 208 GTi wasn't the best. But they made progress here.
The front track has widened by 22 mm, 16 at the rear. It's 1 cm closer to the ground.
Most importantly, it now has a mechanical LSD. That really changes to way it drives.
It sends the power to the outer front wheel, which needs it, enabling high exit speeds.
So we can really push it on this small, damp track. An LSD is fairly rare in this segment.
Just the Corsa Nürburgring Edition had it recently. It really works well.
Due to the tweaked suspension, it doesn't tend to lift the inside rear wheel.
That makes it sportier. Yet it's not rock-hard. Well done.
Engine-wise, little has changed. The same 1.6 turbo, now with 208 PS. Yeah.
And 300 Nm. The engine was fine anyway: quick, just a bit of lag and powerful.
Torque across the range, which helps with the tall gears - you can hit 110 kph in 2nd!
Makes them versatile but it can restrict you, too. Shifting feels a bit sticky, the clutch lacks feeling.
Yet overall, the drivetrain was fine and got just a bit better.
This 30th is a nice present to the 208 GTi and is among the sportiest in its class.
It's what the 208 GTi should have been right away. It's a bit expensive, though.
Prices start at 30208 euros. Funny, yet 4000 more than the standard car.
And it's the premium over a Fiesta ST or Clio RS, too.
But then, this does promise the start of new good times for Peugeot petrolheads.
+ Vastly improved chassis; Powerful engine
- Senseless clutch; A bit pricy