[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/sports-performance-prestige-cars\/test-drive-new-2013-peugeot-208-gti\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/sports-performance-prestige-cars\/test-drive-new-2013-peugeot-208-gti\/","headline":"Test drive: New 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi","name":"Test drive: New 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi","description":"Peugeot\u2019s most famous moniker is back for 2013 and the latest GTi, the 208 GTi, comes with all 200bhp-guns-blazing to a UK hot hatch market that\u2019s already pretty steamy, thanks to the new 180bhp back-lane-blaster from Ford; the Fiesta ST. The 208 GTi brings a high level of equipment with its 200bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, priced from \u00a318,895. Motor-Vision\u2019s just back from the twisting and challenging mountain roads of north Wales, with a big GTi grin. Remember the old […]","datePublished":"2013-04-18","dateModified":"2013-04-18","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/1304-004-Peugeot-208-GTi.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/1304-004-Peugeot-208-GTi.jpg","height":383,"width":575},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/sports-performance-prestige-cars\/test-drive-new-2013-peugeot-208-gti\/","about":["Cars","Sports \/ Performance & Prestige cars","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":982,"keywords":["Peugeot","Peugeot 208","test drives"],"articleBody":"Peugeot\u2019s most famous moniker is back for 2013 and the latest GTi, the 208 GTi, comes with all 200bhp-guns-blazing to a UK hot hatch market that\u2019s already pretty steamy, thanks to the new 180bhp back-lane-blaster from Ford; the Fiesta ST. The 208 GTi brings a high level of equipment with its 200bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, priced from \u00a318,895. Motor-Vision\u2019s just back from the twisting and challenging mountain roads of north Wales, with a big GTi grin.Remember the old Peugeot 205 GTi? Widely agreed to be the benchmark hot hatch from the halcyon days of original hot hatchery. Well, forget about it, because if you drive the new 208 GTi hoping to relive your rose-tinted, red-lined days behind the wheel of your old 205, you will be disappointed. The two Peugeot GTi models are poles apart, and that\u2019s intentional.Peugeot are already into a plan to move their cars – and brand perception \u2013 upmarket, so you can forget about stripped out, featherweight Peugeot hot hatches with minimal equipment and maximum madness. The market for these kinds of cars has changed and so has the much anticipated new GTi.The base price for the 208 GTi is \u00a318,895 – our test car came with options of metallic Bianca white paint (\u00a3495), a large Cielo panoramic glass roof (non-retractable; \u00a3400), Park Assist and Cornering Assist fog lights (\u00a3280), a multifunction colour touch screen navigation upgrade (\u00a3400) and Onyx black painted alloy wheels (\u00a3100 for the paint) \u2013 and if you want full leather in there it\u2019s \u00a3750 on top.Standard kit outside includes 17-inch “Carbone” alloys, electric and heated folding door mirrors, lots of \u2018GTi\u2019 touches and badges, rear spoiler, LED running lights and front indicators, double chrome exhaust tip and wider wheel arch extensions. Inside you\u2019ll get a nifty little leather steering wheel, metal and leather gearknob, handsome half-leather sports seats, LED lighting, a large colour touchscreen, DAB radio and air-con. It\u2019s dearer than the  Ford Fiesta ST, but Peugeot think that the standard kit levels with their GTi justify the price.The 208 model was an all-new car last year and has sold very well for Peugeot so far. A combination of modern, neatly proportioned and intricate design outside, and a well-finished up-to-date inner space, are probably the main reasons for the strong sales \u2013 and the more expensive GTi simply glosses up these points of pleasure even further. And for a very tall chap, I\u2019d rate my driver\u2019s seating position at 85 per cent with good comfort from the sport seats, but just a touch more reach from the steering wheel needed to get me perfect.Around townWhile the GTi is lower, firmer and more tightly-suspension-controlled than any other 208 model \u2013 and gets quickness-tuned steering via that nippy little steering wheel \u2013 it\u2019s actually a cinch to tootle around town in.The power-assisted steering is light and easy at low speeds; weighting up nicely at higher speeds, and while you notice the firm suspension and low profile Michelin tyres over bumps and potholes, the set up doesn\u2019t crash about or make a fuss. In fact, the only time the suspension got a little confused was over some all but destroyed road surfacing.With 275Nm of torque ready to rock from just 1750rpm, you\u2019ve got plenty of get up and go to easily pull the GTi\u2019s low 1160kg kerb weight, which again makes this car a smooth performer at town speeds. Peugeot want this car to deal with all of motoring life \u2013 and not just back lane thrashes \u2013 and indeed it\u2019s quiet and calm in the traffic, and entirely user-friendly.Take to the hillsBut, this is a GTi and we want some fun. 200bhp is a big chunk of potential grin \u2013 we\u2019ve seen this 1.6 THP 200 turbocharged petrol motor before, and it\u2019s won international awards \u2013 and in the light and nimble-feeling GTi there\u2019s more than enough wallop to get the palms moist and the neck hairs prickling.GTi\u2019s top speed is a very naughty 143mph and she\u2019ll crack 62mph in 6.8 seconds; all to a suitably gruff engine soundtrack. The 6-speed manual gearbox hit its ratios every time but didn\u2019t feel as solid and certain as I\u2019d like, while the brakes were indeed strong, progressive and solidly reassuring. The suspension came into its own on these stunning north Wales twistys, with a fast and precise front end turn in and good grip levels, and flat cornering.Easy, safe and surefooted to drive fast then and with a full range of safety equipment, so I think Peugeot got what they wanted with a car that anyone could enjoy every day, without fear of been bitten on the bum.However, some of us like to live in a little fear when we go for max attack in our new hot hatch, and if you like, you can switch the stability and traction system completely off to exploit any cheeky sideways nature that the 208 GTi may harbour. I didn\u2019t try this on public roads, as even with all the safety electronics engaged, I got plenty of speed and excitement out of the potent little Pug.CO2 of 139g\/km and a quoted combined economy figure of 47.9mpg are as good as you\u2019re going to get for a 200bhp, 143mph hot hatch.Ten second sum upPeugeot wanted a chic and stylish new GTi that could cover all the everyday needs of a small family. It\u2019s a piece of cake around town, but still burbles with readiness at the merest whiff of throttle, and can turn in some exciting laps of your favourite back lanes. It\u2019s not quite as pulse pulsating as I would have liked, but that\u2019s only by a couple of per cent – it\u2019s a rapid Peugeot GTi alright, its refined nature just takes some of the edge off is all. By Dan Anslow\u00a0Pics from Peugeot\u00a0 "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Sports Performance Prestige Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/sports-performance-prestige-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Test drive: New 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/sports-performance-prestige-cars\/test-drive-new-2013-peugeot-208-gti\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]