Despite the tasteful motorsport references, the supermini remains completely stock mechanically
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Peugeot may have moved on from its rallying heydays, but a Swiss dealer is offering hot hatch enthusiasts something to get excited about. The 2023 Peugeot 208 Rallye pays an unofficial tribute to the iconic 205 Turbo 16 Group B rally car and serves as a spiritual successor to the popular road-legal Rallye versions of the 205 and the 106. However, despite its striking visual appeal, there’s a catch: it lacks any performance or chassis upgrades.
At first glance, one could think that the 208 Rallye is the sporty factory-spec trim that has been missing from the lineup since the demise of the GTi. However, the model is an independent creation by Garages-Hotz, a Peugeot and Citroen dealership in Switzerland. The dealer describes it as a limited special edition designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16.
More: The Peugeot 205 Rallye Was A Pocket-Sized Homologation Special
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The nostalgic special is based on the pre-facelifted second-gen Peugeot 208 which was only available with five doors, breaking the consistency of the previous Rallye-badged models. The highlight is the 16-inch steel rims finished in white, matching the exterior shade and the body-colored fender extensions.
Other unique touches include the 208 Rallye lettering on the C-pillar, the Peugeot Talbot Sport sticker on the windshield and the colorful Rallye stickers which elevate the supermini to the hot hatch heaven. The halogen lighting units are another nod to the original, and if you ask us they look more fitting than the fancy LEDs of the recently facelifted 208.
Inside, there is the usual fake carbon fiber on the dashboard and door cards, red Peugeot lettering on the steering wheel, and a light gray fabric upholstery with red stitching.
Under the hood lies the stock 1.2-liter PureTech three-cylinder engine. Thankfully it is the turbocharged version that produces 99 hp (74 kW / 100 hp) and 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque, sending power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. This output might not sound impressive by today’s standards, but it is very close to the original 205 Rallye. The difference is that without any weight-saving measures, the second-gen 208 tipps the scales at 1,165 kg (2,568 lbs) which makes it 372 kg (820 lbs) heavier than the most athletic version of the 205.
On the plus side, we’re dealing with a contemporary supermini equipped with all the safety, ride comfort, and technological advancements of our era. Unfortunately, the Swiss dealer opted not to make any modifications to the chassis, even though a firmer suspension configuration could have rendered it even more appealing.
The Peugeot 208 Rallye is currently on sale in Switzerland for 24,500 CHF (approximately $28,057 or €25,556) and can be had through the dealer’s dedicated website. While it’s possible to find a less expensive base-model Peugeot 208, add Rallye decals, and equip it with white steel wheels, there’s a certain romantic appeal to this limited edition that justifies the additional cost.
Interestingly, this is not the first Rallye-badged 208 special we’ve come across. A Peugeot dealer in Le Mans showcased a similar version of the first-gen 208 back in 2012. Hopefully, the French automaker will take notice and consider properly reviving the nameplate in the future.
