Alain Favey, CEO of Peugeot, confirms that an electric sports version of the 308 “would make a lot of sense”. This would allow the lion to hunt in the lands of the Cupra Born VZ, Volkswagen having not yet confirmed the GTI label on the ID.3 Neo.
While the famous GTi label is preparing to officially make its return to Peugeot on the e-208 in June, another model in the range could also receive the sporty designation. The compact electric e-308 would be the expected candidate as indicated by Alain Favey, CEO of Peugeot, in an interview with Autocar: “we absolutely want a GTi to be truly exceptional, to keep all its promises. The 308 would obviously be a wise choice.”
The price puzzle: how Peugeot intends to save this sporting project
But the obstacles to the creation of this variation are numerous, and the first of them can condition the entire career of the vehicle. This is the cost of development, where Favey admits that “it’s difficult to find technology that allows us to achieve this at an affordable price.” To save on design, Peugeot could take the easy route and reuse the powertrain from the e-208 GTi. The compact would then have an electric motor developing 280 hp and 345 Nm of torque on the front axle.
The duel of lap times: why the future e-308 GTi leaves with a handicap
If this set already also equips the Lancia Ypsilon HF, Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Opel Corsa GSE and Opel Mokka GSE, this will be the first time that it has arrived on a C segment vehicle. Since the e-208 GTi goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, its future big sister should take a little longer due to its greater mass. The Cupra Born VZ, which will be its biggest rival, will then remain faster with its 325 hp allowing 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.
Faced with the Cupra Born VZ, will the French go the distance?
Worse still, the Spanish car will remain much more versatile if the e-308 GTi retains the 54 kWh battery of the e-208 GTi. With only 350 km of autonomy for the city car, the compact will not be able to exceed this figure. The Born VZ has a relaxed range of 631 km thanks to its 79 kWh battery. What will remain of the French style? A more successful style, probably, because the Cupra’s minivan silhouette is not the most harmonious.
Aggressive look and retro touches: what will the future e-308 GTi look like?
This will take the form of a redesigned body kit improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The tracks, which could be widened, will accommodate wheels fitted with new rims. Like the e-208 GTi, the interior will be bathed in red with its basket of retro touches. Favey, in any case, is confident about the arrival of the city car: “I can’t wait to see these car enthusiasts become fans of the electric world thanks to the 208 GTi”. This bodes well for the compact, whose arrival date has not yet been confirmed.
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Source :
Coach
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
