Peugeot Reboots an '80s Performance Icon
The E-T16 previews the upcoming 208 electric hatchback
The Peugeot 205 GTI is an iconic hot hatch—and the 205 T16 cranked that up to 11 when it was unveiled in 1984. A mid-engined variant of Peugeot’s mainstream small car, it went on to become a World Rally Championship winner. Now, Peugeot is rebooting that vehicle as a trimotor electric ‘hyper hatch’.
While the Renault 5 Turbo 3E puts out 555 hp, the Peugeot E-T16 raises the bar to 816 hp, with an 800V electrical architecture. Unlike Renault, Peugeot doesn’t rely on in-wheel motors, and promises 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. The 85kWh battery allows a 400 km WLTP range—or about 215 miles on the EPA cycle, which is probably acceptable for a weekend toy. That battery also features a new “side cooling” technology, which cools batteries through their sidewalls rather than their base, minimizing impact on power while on the track. In real-life terms, that means the E-T16 can complete three laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Performance mode with no power limitations.
But more relevant than the sophisticated EV tech is that the design of this concept previews the next E-208, due next year off Stellantis’ STLA One architecture. The aero aids—including two air outlets on the hood, air extractors behind the front wheels, and a rear underbody extractor—aren’t likely to appear. But Peugeot’s “three-claw” lighting signature has been reinterpreted front and rear with full-width light bars and an illuminated logo, and the overall surfacing and graphics are expected to carry over.
Inside, is something close to a production version of Peugeot’s innovative (but likely controversial) Hypersquare steering controller first shown on the Polygon concept. Peugeot says the production E-208 won’t get the controller-mounted display, but it appears it will be paired with the 21” curved panoramic display seen here. Peugeot has already tried something innovative with the iCockpit layout, which features a small-diameter steering wheel and a forward-mounted cluster you view over, not through, the wheel. This setup, aided by a new steer-by-wire system, is far different from just about anything on the road; we’ll have to wait until journalists get behind the wheel to learn whether it’s brilliant or just gimmicky.
Peugeot is one of Stellantis’ four prioritized global brands, so it’s not surprising they get first dibs on STLA One and the steer-by-wire technology. Rumors suggest Peugeot is considering a limited run of the E-T16; with the news of Renault’s 1,000 orders for the $180,000 R5 Turbo 3E, it might be able to assemble a business case. But regardless of whether this gets built, the production E-208 should be a rather unique entry in the B segment when it launches next year.
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