Peugeot 208 GTi: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Peugeot 208 GTi catalogue data presents three entries, all named 1.6 MT: an earlier 200 hp version, an earlier 208 hp version, and a restyled 208 hp version. The 200 hp 1.6 MT offers the lowest listed power but the same 230 km/h top speed as both 208 hp cars.
The Peugeot 208 GTi catalogue data presents three entries, all named 1.6 MT: an earlier 200 hp version, an earlier 208 hp version, and a restyled 208 hp version. The 200 hp 1.6 MT offers the lowest listed power but the same 230 km/h top speed as both 208 hp cars. The earlier 208 hp 1.6 MT has the strongest listed power-to-weight result, while the restyled 208 hp 1.6 MT combines the same 6.5-second acceleration and 5.4 l/100 km combined consumption with 140 mm ground clearance. For most buyers comparing only these figures, the restyled 208 hp car is the most balanced choice; the earlier 208 hp entry is the performance-focused alternative.
Peugeot 208 GTi generations and versions
The first-generation Peugeot 208 GTi was offered from 2013 to 2015 as a Hatchback 3-door. The data lists two versions, both carrying the exact name 1.6 MT, so they must be distinguished by output: one produces 200 hp and the other 208 hp. Both use a 1598 cm³ Gasoline engine, a 6-speed Manual gearbox and FWD.
The first-generation restyling ran from 2015 to 2019 and remained a Hatchback 3-door. It has one listed version, again named 1.6 MT, producing 208 hp. The restyling belongs to the first generation rather than representing a separate generation. Across the supplied catalogue, the model therefore has one underlying generation in original and restyled forms, although the data contains two generation records.
Peugeot 208 GTi specs and engine comparison
All three 1.6 MT entries use a front, transverse 1598 cm³ Gasoline engine with Direct injection (direct). Each engine has 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder and Turbo boost. Every version also combines a 6-speed Manual transmission with FWD.
| Version | Production form | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT (200 hp) | First generation, 2013–2015 | 200 hp at 5800 rpm | 275 Nm at 1700 rpm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp) | First generation, 2013–2015 | 208 hp at 5800 rpm | 300 Nm at 1700 rpm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp) | First-generation restyling, 2015–2019 | 208 hp at 6000 rpm | 300 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
Because displacement is identical, the output comparison is direct. The 200 hp 1.6 MT develops approximately 125.2 hp per litre. Both 208 hp 1.6 MT entries produce approximately 130.2 hp per litre, an advantage of about 5.0 hp per litre.
Moving from 200 hp to 208 hp adds 8 hp, while maximum torque rises by 25 Nm. The torque peak also separates the two 208 hp entries: the 2013–2015 car reaches 300 Nm at 1700 rpm, whereas the 2015–2019 restyling reaches the same 300 Nm at 3000 rpm. Compression ratio is 10.5 for the 200 hp car and the restyled 208 hp car; it is not measured for the earlier 208 hp version. Bore and stroke are listed as 77 × 85.8 for all three engines.
Peugeot 208 GTi performance, mpg and fuel consumption
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined | CO₂ | Eco class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT (200 hp), 2013–2015 | 6.8 s | 230 km/h | 8.2 l/100 km | 4.7 l/100 km | 5.9 l/100 km | 139 g/km | Euro 5 |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp), 2013–2015 | 6.5 s | 230 km/h | 6.9 l/100 km | 4.6 l/100 km | 5.4 l/100 km | not measured | Euro 6 |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp), 2015–2019 restyling | 6.5 s | 230 km/h | 6.9 l/100 km | 4.6 l/100 km | 5.4 l/100 km | 125 g/km | Euro 6 |
The extra 8 hp and 25 Nm in either 208 hp 1.6 MT reduce the listed 0–100 km/h time by 0.3 seconds compared with the 200 hp version. They do not increase top speed: every entry is rated at 230 km/h.
Both 208 hp cars also use 1.3 l/100 km less in the city, 0.1 l/100 km less on the highway and 0.5 l/100 km less on the combined cycle than the 200 hp car. The two 208 hp versions are identical in the listed acceleration, top-speed and consumption figures. CO₂ output is 125 g/km for the restyled car, 139 g/km for the 200 hp car, and not measured for the earlier 208 hp entry.
These data are expressed in l/100 km rather than mpg, so Peugeot 208 GTi mpg is not measured in the supplied catalogue.
Peugeot 208 GTi dimensions, weight and wheels
Exterior dimensions and wheelbase are not measured for all three versions. The available comparison covers kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and listed wheel sizes.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT (200 hp), 2013–2015 | 1160 kg | 1650 kg | 110 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp), 2013–2015 | 1185 kg | 1650 kg | 100 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| 1.6 MT (208 hp), 2015–2019 restyling | 1160 kg | not measured | 140 mm | 50 l | 205/45 R17; 205/40 R18 |
The 200 hp car and restyled 208 hp car share a 1160 kg kerb weight. At that weight, the 200 hp version carries 5.80 kg per horsepower, while the restyled 208 hp version carries approximately 5.58 kg per horsepower. The earlier 208 hp car weighs 1185 kg and carries approximately 5.70 kg per horsepower. It is therefore 25 kg heavier than the other two, but its additional power still gives it a better weight-per-horsepower figure than the 200 hp car.
Ground clearance changes more clearly. The earlier 208 hp version has 100 mm, the 200 hp version has 110 mm, and the restyled 208 hp version has 140 mm. The restyling consequently provides 40 mm more clearance than the earlier 208 hp car and 30 mm more than the 200 hp car. All three versions have a 50 l fuel tank.
The front suspension is Independent, spring on every version, and every car has Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. The 200 hp version and restyled 208 hp version list a Semi-independent, spring rear suspension, while the earlier 208 hp version uses a Semi-independent, torsion rear arrangement.
Peugeot 208 GTi reliability and problems
Engine reliability, engine fault history, repair frequency, oil requirements, engine code, engine mounts and engine-swap compatibility are not measured in the supplied data. A reliability ranking between the three versions would therefore require unsupported assumptions.
The catalogue does support a specification-based comparison: all versions share the same displacement, cylinder count, layout, injection type, boost type, gearbox format and drive system. It does not show whether those similarities produce equal maintenance costs or equal reliability. Buyers should not treat the performance or economy figures as reliability evidence.
Which Peugeot 208 GTi version should you buy?
Choose the 2015–2019 restyled 1.6 MT with 208 hp for the strongest all-round specification. It matches the best listed acceleration of 6.5 seconds, the best combined consumption of 5.4 l/100 km and the best power-to-weight result of approximately 5.58 kg per horsepower. It also provides the greatest ground clearance at 140 mm and is the only entry with listed wheel sizes. Its gross weight, however, is not measured.
Choose the 2013–2015 1.6 MT with 208 hp if the earlier 1700 rpm torque peak matters most in the numerical comparison. It delivers the same 300 Nm as the restyled car, but reaches that maximum 1300 rpm earlier. It also matches the restyled version’s 6.5-second acceleration and 5.4 l/100 km combined consumption. The trade-offs are a 25 kg higher kerb weight and 40 mm less ground clearance.
Choose the 2013–2015 1.6 MT with 200 hp only if its particular balance suits your needs better than the additional output. It is 25 kg lighter than the earlier 208 hp car, but has 8 hp and 25 Nm less, takes 0.3 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, and uses 0.5 l/100 km more on the combined cycle. Its top speed remains identical at 230 km/h.
No price or Peugeot 208 GTi for-sale data is supplied, so the extra money required for either 208 hp version—and whether that premium represents good value—cannot be measured. On specifications alone, the restyled 208 hp 1.6 MT buys the clearest combination of performance, consumption, weight and clearance; the earlier 208 hp 1.6 MT is the alternative for maximum torque at the lower listed engine speed.