Skip advert
Advertisement

Peugeot to kill off GTi name

Forthcoming hot Peugeot 208 set to get Peugeot Sport Engineered name not legendary GTi badge

Peugeot is unlikely to revive its iconic GTi badge for the forthcoming 208 hot hatchback.

The performance version of the recently launched 208 supermini looks set to ditch petrol power and go all-electric when it arrives next year, as previously revealed by Auto Express.

Best hot hatches on sale

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, the French firm is now considering ditching the GTi badge in favour of a Peugeot Sport Engineered moniker, despite the heritage associated with the performance sub-brand.  

Peugeot bosses in France have gone cold on the idea of calling the next 208 a GTi because of its all-electric powertrain. Executives have revealed to Auto Express that ‘Peugeot Sport Engineered’ is currently the favoured name for the firm’s rebranded performance arm; the name was first hinted at with the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered concept car from this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Bosses says it shows the company’s future direction for new performance models.

Bosses at Peugeot UK, however, are fighting to retain the GTi name such is the heritage it has over here. Bosses cite the recently launched all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo as an example of the power of a brand name.

A Peugeot insider told us the GTi name has “great resonance and heritage within the UK, and the GTi name would be a perfect fit” for the hot 208.

Do you want to see the GTi name remain on Peugeot models? Let us know what you think in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Older drivers don’t care about in-car tech, but millennials want more
Auto Express UX web developer Victoria Coquet driving the Peugeot E-3008

Older drivers don’t care about in-car tech, but millennials want more

Peugeot research reveals the size of the age-gap when it comes to connectivity and autonomous features in cars
News
13 Mar 2025
Peugeot 308 and 408 plug-in hybrids now go further with boost to nearly 50 miles of EV range
Peugeot 308 SW - front tracking

Peugeot 308 and 408 plug-in hybrids now go further with boost to nearly 50 miles of EV range

The new plug-in hybrid powertrain will be available in 308, 308SW and 408
News
26 Feb 2025
Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan
Peugeot 5008 - badge

Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan

Parent company of Peugeot, Citroen and Alfa Romeo won’t hedge its bets, with plans afoot to bolster HEV offer
News
14 Jan 2025
Paris Motor Show 2024: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars
Paris Motor Show 2024 - header image

Paris Motor Show 2024: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars

The all-new Renault 4, MINI John Cooper Works and Dacia Bigster were among the models on display at this year’s Mondial de L’Auto
News
16 Oct 2024

Most Popular

Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans
Future of Nissan in the UK - header with Phil McNamara

Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans

Nissan is about to go from building the Qashqai hybrid to three fresh EVs in the UK over the next three years – all powered by a new gigafactory
Features
19 Apr 2025
Best SUVs to buy 2025
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2025

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025
New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring
Baby Nissan Juke exclusive image - rear

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring

Nissan to fast-track development of new battery-powered city car to take on forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1, and our exclusive images preview how it could…
News
18 Apr 2025