14:14 20-12-2025

Peugeot E-208 GTi vs Alpine A290: 280 hp EV hot hatch detailed

Peugeot E-208 GTi electric hot hatch targets Alpine A290: 280 hp, 5.7 s to 100, 350 km WLTP, Cup 2 tires, and 20-80% fast DC charge in under 30 minutes.

Peugeot is still fine-tuning the E-208 GTi and, for the first time, states the goal openly: the new electric hot hatch is meant to outdo the Alpine A290, the performance take on the electric Renault 5. In an interview with Autocar, CEO Alain Favey said engineers treated the A290 as the primary benchmark and aim to surpass it in feel and driving purity. The message is clear: Peugeot wants the most rewarding driver’s car in this class.

On paper, the hardware looks serious even by 2025 standards. Built on Stellantis’s Perfo-eCMP platform, the E-208 GTi uses an electric motor rated at 280 hp (207 kW) and 345 Nm. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds, and top speed is capped at 180 km/h. For handling, there’s a mechanical limited-slip differential and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires sized 215/40 R18. Taken together, the setup promises eager turn-in and stout traction rather than just straight-line fireworks.

The 54 kWh battery (51 kWh usable) is claimed to deliver 350 km on the WLTP cycle. Rapid charging peaks at up to 100 kW, taking the pack from 20 to 80% in under 30 minutes. The chassis sees a thorough rework: front brakes with 355 mm discs and fixed four-piston calipers, retuned steering, suspension with hydraulic bump stops, a body lowered by 30 mm, and wider tracks. The specification points to precision and consistency over long stints—exactly where driver-focused EVs need to shine.

The GTi will also serve as a farewell edition for the current E-208. A new generation is expected in 2027, and a petrol GTi is no longer feasible due to emissions rules, according to Favey. All the more reason this electric GTi feels like a pivotal chapter for Peugeot’s smallest performance model.