The Peugeot 208 will apparently follow in the footsteps of the 308 in terms of high-performance versions. Peugeot has already confirmed that it will build the 308 R concept , and now it looks like the 208 will get an R version as well.
Peugeot CEO Maxime Picat said the carmaker is currently working on a 208 R that would sit on top of the 208 GTI in the company’s B-segment lineup.
“Above the 208 GTI, we will soon have an even sportier 208 R, which is a good example of what we would like to add to top the 308 range,” Picat said in an interview with Autonews Europe .
Although he gave no other details about the hot 208, it’s safe to assume the 208 R will be built using the same formula as the 308 R pre-production study and the RCZ R .
While the 208 GTI is powered by a 197hp (200PS) version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine, the 208 would probably get the highly-tuned version of the same unit that produces 267hp (271PS) on the RCZ R. Peak output may be reduced, however, so that the 208 R's performance doesn't eclipse the 308 R and RCZ R.
Just like in the case of the 308 R, Peugeot may preview the production version of the 208 R with a thinly disguised concept car.
By Dan Mihalascu
Note: Peugeot 208 GTI pictured
