New Dealer-Made Peugeot 208 Rallye Edition Hits the Streets [w/Video]

It's been three months to the day (September 24, 2012) since Philippe Beaugé, head of the Peugeot dealership Clara Automobile in the French city of Le Mans, first shared with us pictures and details of a newly created edition of the 208 supermini named after and inspired by the famed Rallye models.

As a refreshed, the dealer-made Rallye is based on the 208 156 THP Feline model powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine churning out 154hp (156PS) while tipping the scales at a relatively low 1,090kg (2,403 lbs).

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European Car of the Year Short List with the 8 Finalists Revealed, Think You Can Pick the Winner?

After announcing the 34 nominees (38 if you include re-badged models like the Seat Toledo and Subaru BRZ) in late September, the organizing committee of the European edition of the Car of the Year award has now released the short list with the 8 finalists.

Normally, the short list includes 7 models, but due to the fact that two cars tied in the same position during the voting process, the committee increased the number of finalists to eight, just as it did in the 2007 edition of the award.

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Peugeot Reducing Production of New 208 Supermini as European Sales Slow Down

The Peugeot 208 may be the French firm's newest and hottest product and the second most popular supermini in Europe after the VW Polo, but the economic downturn in the region has put a dent in sales.

A Peugeot spokesperson, who was not named, told Autonews Europe that the brand is cutting output and its sales outlook for the 208 sub-compact hatchback on weak demand in the European market, without providing any specific numbers.

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Peugeot Sport Replaces 207 S2000 Rally Racer with New 208 R5

With the 208 replacing the 207 in Peugeot’s European line-up, it was natural that the French automaker would introduce a racing version of the new model to succeed the highly successful 207 S2000 International Rally Championship car.

Peugeot's new competitor in international rallying is the 208 R5, which made its world premiere at the ongoing Paris Auto Show. Due to FIA’s new rules that were introduced to reduce costs and will come in effect next year, the 208 R5 is quite different to the car it replaces.

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Peugeot 208 GTi in the Flesh from Paris and on Film in New Promo

While the Onyx, and to a lesser extent, the 2008 concepts are the most impressive models at Peugeot's Paris Motor Show stand, the French carmaker also brought along the production version of the 208 GTi that promises to rekindle the ideals of the original 205 GTi.

The new model's arsenal includes a potent 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that sends 197hp (200PS) and a peak torque of 275Nm (203 lb-ft) to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, and a revised chassis with new components and re-tuned suspension settings.

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Peugeot Announces New 208 GTi Limited Edition for Britain

When Peugeot unveiled the new 208 GTi hot hatch earlier this month prior to the car's world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, the automaker noted that it plans to produce a limited run model with enhanced specification and bespoke styling cues.

Today we learn that Peugeot will build 54 examples, 29 of which will be heading to the United Kingdom. The French carmaker says it chose this number to represent each year since the UK launch of the original 205 GTi in 1984.

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Peugeot Le Mans Dealer Creates 208 Rallye Concept, Should the French Automaker Build it?

If you lived or grew up in Europe during the late 1980s through the early 2000s, you will no doubt remember the iconic Rallye series from Peugeot, which started out with the 205 supermini and continued with the 306 compact and the smaller 106.

The common denominator of the series was that the Rallye models were usually based on fast versions of their respective hatchback counterparts (i.e. the 106 XSi and 306 GTI) but did away with most luxury amenities such as electric windows and mirrors, the heavy seats and in some cases, even power assisted steering and airbags.

Peugeot's ultimate goal was to lower the cars' weight to improve performance and handling while also offering them at a lower price point – something that made the Rallye models extremely popular with driving enthusiasts on a budget.

Today, Peugeot is looking to re-enter the sports hatch segment with the new 208 GTi that is lighter at 1,160kg (2,557 pounds), smaller, and thanks to its new 197hp (200PS) 1.6-liter turbo engine, more powerful than the disappointing 206 and 207 GTi models.

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Peugeot Sport Teases New 208 Type R5 Racer with 280HP Prior to Paris Motor Show

The new Peugeot 208 Type R5, to be unveiled on September 27 at the Paris Motor Show, is the French marque's second competition model based on its new supermini after the 208 R2 that was introduced back in May.

We only get a single darkened picture of the 208 Type R5 that sports Peugeot's racing colors (in case you didn't notice, there's a thin yellow line between those BMW M stripes), but the carmaker has released initial details on the vehicle that will compete in the upcoming R5 category, to be launched by FIA in 2013.

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New Peugeot 208 Meets 205 GTi on Film [Updated]

A new video that has surfaced online brings together the freshly revealed Peugeot 208 GTi regular 208 with the 1980s/1990s 205 GTi.

Watching the (mediocre-quality) clip, we can't help but appreciate the timeless beauty of the 205's styling, especially when compared to the fussy and somewhat bulbous design of the newer 208.

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New Peugeot 208 XY with Premium Touches to Debut in Production Guise at the Paris Auto Show

Peugeot has decided to offer a production version of the opulent 208 XY Concept first seen at the Geneva Motor Show this past March. The new 208 XY will join the performance 208 GTi at the French firm's 2012 Paris Motor Show stand at the end of this month.

The 208 XY is all about style and plush features. Besides the new "Purple Night" metallic finish used on the display model, the 208 XY will be available in five additional exterior colors.

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Peugeot Reveals All-New 208 GTi Hot Hatch Powered by a 197HP 1.6L Turbo [32 Photos]

The final production version of the new Peugeot 208 GTi, which was previewed in concept form at the Geneva Salon earlier this year, was officially introduced today ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on September 27.

As with its 206 and 207 predecessors, Peugeot is once again making claims about "regenerating the values of the iconic 205 GTi".

Whether the new 208 GTi will live up to its promise is something we'll just have to wait to see, but the initial specifications are promising, starting with the fact that, at 1,160kg (2,538 lbs), Peugeot's latest pocket rocket is a whopping 165kg (364 pounds) lighter than the 207 RC (called GTi in some markets including the UK).

It's also more powerful than the 175hp 207 RC / GTi as it is equipped with the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol found in the flagship version of the RCZ Coupe, which generates an output of 197hp (200PS) and peak torque of 275Nm (203 lb-ft).

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Spied: Peugeot 2008 is a Small Crossover Based on the New 208 Supermini

French carmaker Peugeot is looking to expand its range of crossover and SUV models that currently includes the 3008, 4008 (based on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport / ASX), 4007 and 508 RXH with a new entry level model, likely to be named 2008 or 208 RXH.

This small crossover is based on the recently launched 208 supermini and will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen CrossPolo and possibly the Nissan Juke.

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New BMW 3-Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208 Shine in Euro NCAP Crash Tests

The new BMW 3-Series sedan, Hyundai i30 compact hatchback, Mazda CX-5 crossover and Peugeot 208 supermini are the latest cars to be evaluated by Euro NCAP, the organization charged with crash-testing Europe's vehicles.

All four models achieved a maximum five-star rating with Euro NCAP officials pointing out that carmakers have made significant improvements in the area of pedestrian protection.

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Peugeot Hatches a Competition Version out of its New 208 Supermini

Aiming at those looking to race in the lower formulas of rally, Peugeot has introduced the first competition version of its new 208 supermini.

The new 208 R2 was developed for the popular R2 rally category and features a raft of upgrades over the regular model.

These include the driveline that combines a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine tuned to deliver 185hp at 7,800rpm, linked to a five-speed, manual, sequential gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column.

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Peugeot Launches its First Promotional Film on 208 GTi Concept

To amp up fans for the presentation of the new 208 GTi Concept at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Show, Peugeot has released a teaser video that shows the hot hatch on the move.

Peugeot won't divulge any details yet, but we believe that the production version will follow at the Paris Motor Show this fall with European sales to start towards the end of the year or in early 2013, depending on the market.

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Peugeot's Interactive Short Film Asks a Question Nobody Really Cares to Answer [NSFW]

"What if you let your body drive?" is the name of Peugeot's new interactive short film that's supposed to campaign about the freshly launched 208 supermini, though you won't actually see the car until the very end of the seven minute-long video and only for about 20 seconds.

That's not to say the clip isn't interesting to watch, it's just that there's not much to connect it with the 208...

The film shows a man running around naked for the most part and getting himself into all sorts of bizarre situations after his girlfriend caught him with another woman. Given the amount of rear-end nudity (the front grille has been blurred out) in Peugeot's film, we'll have to warn you that it's definitely not for work.

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Très Chic: Peugeot XY Concept is all About Luxury and Style

While most gearheads will focus their attention on the 208 GTi Concept, Peugeot has readied a second study based on its freshly launched supermini. This one is called the 208 XY Concept and it will also debut at the 2012 Geneva Auto Salon in a couple of weeks' time.

The 208 XY study could be Peugeot's answer to the more upscale Citroen DS3 sub-compact model. Premium touches on the outside include a bespoke ‘Pulsion’ paintwork that Peugeot says has the ability to change color depending on the distance and the position from which it is viewed. It is created with sixteen coats of paint and lacquer.

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Très Chaud: Peugeot Reveals 208 GTi Concept Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Peugeot has a very long history in the hot hatchback segment that spans more than three decades and it promises to continue the tradition with the newly introduced 208 supermini that forms the base for the new GTi Concept, which will make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012.

While the Peugeot 208 GTi comes with a concept tag, a production version is a done deal and could be revealed as early as this autumn at the 2012 Paris Motor Show with sales likely to kick off next year.

The 208 GTi is based on the regular three-door hatchback model and features a subtle aero kit with elegant wheel arch extensions that make room for the beefier five-spoke alloy wheels, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a neat looking rear diffuser with two chromed tailpipes.

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Confirmed: Peugeot will Debut 208 GTi Concept at the Geneva Auto Salon

We just received word that the teaser picture released by French carmaker Peugeot earlier today is indeed the 208 GTi Concept as we suspected and it will make its world premiere at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in the beginning of March.

The 208 GTi Concept will be powered by the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine Peugeot shares with BMW’s fast Minis. The study will be very close to the production model that will follow in less than a year's time.

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Is this Official Peugeot Teaser for the New 208 GTi?

Over the past three decades, Peugeot has made a name for itself in the hot hatch market with cars like the 205 GTI/Rallye/Turbo, the 106 Rallye/GTi and the 206 RC/GTi.

Naturally, the recent presentation of the 208 supermini meant that the French carmaker is getting ready to revive the RC / GTi moniker. This may happen sooner than we think as Peugeot just published a teaser photo of a double tip exhaust on its Facebook page with the caption "Is the myth coming back?"

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