Peugeot launches special-edition 208 GTi hot hatch
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 1st Aug 2018
PEUGEOT Australia has revealed a swansong special-edition version of its 208 GTi light-sized hot hatch called the Edition Definitive, priced from $33,990 driveaway.
Limited to just 20 examples, the Edition Definitive is distinguished from the regular 208 GTi by a number of mechanical and visual changes, and adds $4000 over the standard version’s now driveaway price.
From the outside, the Edition Definitive stands out thanks to contrasting Pearl White paint and matte black trim elements which replace the chrome highlights on the donor car, as well as ‘Peugeot Sport’ badging on the C-pillar and 18-inch matte black wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.
Inside, the limited-run model gains Peugeot Sport-developed front bucket seats with Alcantara trim and contrast red stitching, and red interior floor mats.
Peugeot’s spanner-turners have tweaked the GTi’s suspension for the new edition, lowering it by 10mm with new damper settings and spring rates, different camber and wheel alignment settings, and a wider track – 22mm at the front and 16mm in the rear.
Handling is further enhanced by the addition of a Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD) on the front axle, mimicking its 308 GTi sibling. Steering has also been tweaked to maximise the effect of the LSD.
Stopping power has been boosted with the addition of larger 323mm discs with fixed four-pot Brembo callipers, painted red at front and grey at rear.
Peugeot engineers have also tweaked the engine’s calibration and fitted a bespoke exhaust system, which increases engine responsiveness and helps cut the zero to 100km/h sprint time by 0.3 seconds over the standard GTi, to 6.5s.
No changes have been made to the output of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol donk, which continues to output 153kW/300Nm mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.
For the first time on a GTi, autonomous emergency braking will be offered on the Edition Definitive, which can operate at speeds of up to 30km/h.
Peugeot Australia managing director Anouk Poelmann said the Edition Definitive is expected to quickly sell out.
“The 208 GTi Edition Definitive will become a collector’s vehicle, much like the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary and the 205 GTi model that paved the way for performance Peugeots almost 35 years ago,” she said.
“The 208 GTi Edition Definitive is the perfect way to mark the end of production of the current 3-door vehicle for Australia. With its outstanding value as well as its mechanical, performance, safety and visual upgrades, we expect the 208 GTi Edition Definitive to be snapped up very quickly.”
Through the first half of the year, Peugeot has sold only 85 examples of its 208 hatchback, down 54.3 per cent year-on-year.
The French hatchback trails the over $25,000 light car segment leaders including the Mini Hatch (1142), Audi A1 (583) and Mini Clubman (274).
