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Peugeot has launched the e-208 GTi, its first electric hot hatch, priced under £34,000 with 281hp and a 230-mile range. We test it in Scotland.
Peugeot has launched its first-ever electric hot hatch, the e-208 GTi, priced at just under £34,000 on the road. The 281hp EV promises the best power-to-weight ratio in its segment and a range of around 230 miles. Senior Motoring Reporter Freda Lewis-Stempel travelled to Scotland to test whether it can live up to the legendary 205 GTi.
Peugeot GTi Heritage And Background
Peugeot and hot hatches have been linked since the 205 GTi of 1984, when the three letters were first added to a Peugeot model. That car is regarded as the epitome of the GTi, undercutting its German rival, the VW Golf GTI. Its lightweight construction and 1.6-litre engine made it remarkably quick for such a small car.
The 106 GTi, launched in 1996, was another cracker, offering brilliant handling and performance while remaining small enough for town driving and practical enough for everyday family use. The 306 GTi-6 also arrived that year, with its six-speed gearbox and 2.0-litre engine becoming a class first.
It was succeeded by the 206 GTi 180 in 2003 and the 207 GTi THP 175 in 2007. In 2012, the 208 GTi was seen as a return to form for Peugeot's performance range. Then, in 2015, Peugeot launched its most powerful GTi ever: the 308 GTi, with 262hp and a 0-62mph sprint in just six seconds, though its styling remained relatively subtle.
Electric Hot Hatch Design And Rivals
The 2025 concept that inspired the e-208 GTi was very well received, and Peugeot has stuck closely to that winning formula for the production car. While retaining much of the muscular yet compact styling of the standard e-208, the GTi lowers the body and widens the track to create a more aggressive stance.
Sporty features include Peugeot's three-claw lighting signature front and rear, 18-inch perforated alloy wheels, widened wheel arches, a front spoiler and a gloss-black diffuser. Most noticeable are the red accents, from the grille and brake calipers to the 208 GTi pillar badges, all of which set the tone for the red detailing found throughout the cabin.
At a touch under £34,000, the e-208 GTi rivals Alpine's A290, the sportier version of the Renault 5, which has a similar 230-mile range. With 281hp and a claim to the best power-to-weight ratio in its segment, Peugeot promises no compromise on sportiness.
Interior, Practicality And Driving Experience
The e-208 GTi's interior is rather like the automotive equivalent of a Barry's Bootcamp or 1Rebel workout class: black with red accents everywhere and full-adrenaline energy. The sports bucket seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, complemented by a black dashboard, black leather-and-Alcantara steering wheel, black centre console and black carbon fibre-effect trim.
Contrasting with the dark theme are lashings of red throughout the cabin, including red carpets, floor mats and seatbelts as a nod to the 205 GTi, alongside red stitching and red ambient lighting. Even the digital displays adopt a red-themed design.
The 10-inch touchscreen is quite slow, and some of the graphics really do not look as though they belong in a 2026 car. Apple CarPlay connectivity was also so poor that the reviewer eventually gave up using an iPhone and switched to an Android phone instead.
The physical controls have a nice retro flair, while the 0-60mph timer and G-force meter add personality. However, the haptic dashboard controls sit at an awkward angle to the driver, and even the drive mode selector on the centre console is difficult to reach without taking your eyes off the road.
There is not much legroom or headroom in the rear for adults 5ft 8in or taller, and the boot offers only 309 litres of space. It is a cool cockpit to spend time in and feels suitably spicy and sporty, but practicality is not its strongest suit. Even with the seat positioned as far forward as most drivers would reasonably sit, a 5ft 8in adult felt cramped in the rear seat behind, and headroom is limited too.
As the market shifts towards luxury performance cars, SUVs and family-friendly EVs, petrolheads fear the boy racer and his hot hatch are a dying breed. But all is not lost: Peugeot has put its GTi badge on a swift small car for the electric era. The question remains whether its first proper electric hot hatch can deliver the heady thrills expected from a hot hatch, even though it is electric.
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Peugeot E-208 Gti Electric Hot Hatch Peugeot 205 Gti Alpine A290 Renault 5 Freda Lewis-Stempel Scotland
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