The latest in a long line of Peugeot hot hatchbacks, the 208 GTI goes into production in April and the French firm claims that the new car 'regenerates the values of the iconic 205 GTI.'
And to celebrate the launch of the new car, Peugeot has released a video which draws comparisons between the 208 GTI and its 1980s predecessor.
Motoring enthusiasts of a certain age will remember the 205 GTI as being the greatest hot hatchback of the 1980s. In fact, the 205 GTI was possibly -- dare we say it -- the greatest hot hatchback of all time.
The original 1.6 GTI produced just 104bhp which, by modern standards, is abysmal. However, 104bhp in a car which weighed less than a ham sandwich was plenty and the whole car bristled with the sort of energy you just don't find in a modern vehicle. Plus, thanks to the Pug's tin-foil construction, there was lift-off oversteer available on tap, rewarding those that knew how to drive it and punishing those that didn't.
Sadly, as the '80s turned into the '90s and, eventually, the '00s, Peugeot's hot hatch got fat. If the 205 GTI was Elvis in 'Jailhouse Rock' and the 206 GTI was Elvis during his Las Vegas years, the 207 GTI was the Elvis who ate 40,000-calorie peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwiches.
It remains to be seen whether the 208 GTI will recreate the magic of the 208 GTI but, given that the boggo 208 is a substantially better car than the old 207, we'd say it stands a pretty good chance.
Watch the video below:
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