147KW PEUGEOT 208 GTI BREAKS COVER

Peugeot has released the most intimate details of its latest hot hatch, the 208 GTi. Small in size but seemingly big on attitude, GTi of course based on the new 208 range but adds a few touches of pepper spray in the mix, just in case you look at it in the wrong way.

Pumped up by the company 1.6-litre turbo engine (shared with Citroen, MINI and BMW), the 208 GTi puts out a nice 147kW of power, complimented by 275Nm of torque. This makes it the most powerful car in its class, a class dominated by the likes of Opel Corsa OPC, Volkswagen Polo GTi and upcoming Ford Fiesta ST. It runs a 6-speed manual gearbox that lets it rip off less than 7 seconds from standstill to 100km/h.

Compared to the standard 208 – which launches in Mzansi over the next few weeks – the GTi is wider up front and at the rear. It also features a body kit that includes such sporty wear as 17-inch wheels, recalibrated dampers, LED daytime running lights, GTi badges inside and out, aluminium pedals inside and others.

When it releases here in Mzansi in early 2013, you should be looking at a price of around R280 000.