Peugeot CEO Confirms Hotter and More Powerful 208 R

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

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