Geneva Motor Show 2012: Peugeot is back with the 208 GTI

Peugeot has taken the wraps off a 208 GTi concept at the Geneva Motor Show, rekindling the famed badge that was last seen on the 206 and before that, the iconic 205 GTi. The 208 GTi may be premiering as a concept, but it’s likely to go into production by the end of the year with prices expected to be around £18,000.

Externally the 208 GTi gets more dramatic styling, with a spoiler, sill extensions, sportier bumpers and larger wheels. GTi logos on the rear quarter panels hark back to the 205 GTi. The cabin features leather and fabric seats with a tartan motif, alcantara dash trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with a GTi logo.

Power comes from the now familiar 1.6-litre THP engine seen in the Peugeot RCZ, MINI Cooper, and Citroen DS3, with an output of 200bhp. The GTi is wider than a standard 208 by 36mm front and rear, plus it has larger disc brakes to improve stopping.

Besides the GTi, Peugeot showed an XY concept version of the 208, which features a colour changing paint.