2013 Peugeot 208 GTi and 208 XY breaks cover ahead of Paris debut

The last few years may not have been glamorous for Peugeot, considering how they lost sales. But by the looks of it, they seem to be staging a fightback into the hot hatch segment, as they let loose details on the 2013 208 GTi and the equivalent 208 XY variant.

With hopes of achieving what the 205 GTi accomplished years back, the newcomers certainly have a job to do. For a head start, the 208 GTi has dropped 165 kg over the 207 GTi. Secondly, its 1.6-litre turbo is rated at a 197 hp and 275 Nm of torque – a 22 hp jump over the same 207. Further, the engine will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. There is still is no news on an automatic variant though.

Additionally, with stiffer and firmer steering settings, revised suspension, damping, spring rates and anti-roll bar, the new package is also good for a claimed sub-seven-second run from 0 to 100 kph.

At launch, Peugeot will offer a special run of 50 GTis in ‘Satin Pearlescent White’ and on 17-inch ‘Onyx Black’ alloy wheels. The cars will also get the colors of the French flag on the grille, standard sat-nav and a numbered plaque. All following GTis will get chrome exterior trim, chequered flag motif on the grille, gloss black rear skirt and trapezoidal exhaust tips beneath the rear hatch-mounted spoiler.

Interior will be dressed in Club Nappa leather, offset with Caro Weave cloth and contrasting red stitching. An aluminium shift knob, flat-bottomed steering wheel and red LED lighting for the dash cluster and white needles rounds of the interior specifications.

The 208 GTi is expected to go on sale in UAE, Saudi Arabia , Oman and rest of the GCC by spring, next year. But the official debut for the GTi is scheduled later this month at the Paris Motor Show. It will be joined by the production version of the 208 XY, the glammed-up version of the regular 208 which is solely aimed at the youth.

Keep track of prices and updates in the Peugeot buyer guide.