French delicacies: Peugeot 208 GTi and Tepee

MANILA, Philippines - French carmaker Peugeot shows a glimpse of its latest model range, with two models that span the automotive world from performance to practicality. 

Peugeot has made its mark in the history of motorsport, specifically with the line that started in the now legendary Peugeot 205 GTi. Thirty years after the launch of the celebrated 205 GTi, the passion and the legend is back in the form of the new Peugeot 208 GTi.

The 208 GTi delights its driver with an incisive driving experience due to the involving chassis dynamics, providing superb driving sensations. Springs, shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, enhanced front subframe and rear crossmember rigidity—all that plus suspension and wheels that are specific to the vehicle.

Agile and reactive, the 208 GTi balances from one turn to the next with complete precision. Controlled by the steering the settings of which have been revised to increase firmness, the front suspension returns the information perfectly and responsively. The rear suspension is also well tuned for safe and involved driving.

Fitted with 205/45 tires, the 17” diamond Carbon wheels, with Storm paint and matt varnish, house 302mm ventilated discs at the front and 249mm discs at the rear. Cooled by dynamic air intakes, they provide controlled and incisive braking.

The 1.6-liter 200bhp turbo petrol engine expresses itself through a reworked exhaust system. Coupled with a manual gearbox with six close-ratio gears, the engine delivers with gusto. With its maximum torque of 275Nm and power of 200bhp, the 208 GTi accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in less than 7 seconds.

Intended for demanding and active customers, the 208 GTi benefits from sophisticated working of the styling, materials and colors. Its dynamic nature is expressed first of all by its specific and immediately recognizable exterior, thanks to its characteristic posture. At first glance, the eyes are impressed initially by a presence, with a vehicle which affirms its identity: sporty and refined.

Standing on its tracks, widened 10mm at the front and 20mm at the rear, this 3-door hatchback is highlighted by the elements of the bodywork that are very close to the wheels. The sills and wheel arch extensions give a visible expression of the car’s potential.

Particularly appealing, visible by day as well as by night, the lighting signature at the front is sublimated by the new halogen headlamps, with lighting guides of the latest flat-guide generation. Finely worked, these lamps employ LED technology for the direction indicators and daytime running lamps.

These lamps fit around a specific grille. The slightly larger chrome strip gives stability while the mesh contributes to its dynamism. On the Peugeot 208 GTi, the gloss black grille focuses attention with its bright chrome inserts, which reinvent the chequered flag in 3D.

Crossing the rear skirt, the exhaust emerges with a trapezoid chromed double tailpipe, an innovative design emphasizing the uniqueness of this model. The chromed trim strip decorates the window lower edge culminating in a signature accent that pays tribute to the illustrious Peugeot 205 GTi. Furthermore, the quarter panel trim proudly bears the GTi logo, in bright chrome accentuated in red highlights.

Opening the doors reveals a passenger compartment which reflects the paintwork. From the sill, with the name Peugeot embossed, the passenger compartment is notably sporty. It has a stimulating color scheme combining red, black and satin chrome. With red GTi overstitching throughout, the interior is striking, down to the smallest detail.

Peugeot Expert Tepee

The 8-seater Peugeot Expert Tepee, designed to meet the requirements of large families, presents a new way of travelling. It’s a unique vehicle identified by its modern styling, which suggests both quality and dynamism. Its large, bright interior encourages you to go on that long trip you’ve been meaning to take.

The design of the front is very bold and modern, giving the Expert Tepee a strong personality. The way the front bumper is incorporated into the overall styling of the vehicle creates a special design feature, conveying a sense of strength and quality. The bumper is painted to match the rest of the vehicle. The same applies to the side protection moldings, the rear view mirror casings and the door handles.

The large front windshield is a Peugeot design feature. It provides great visibility and gives the occupants a feeling of spaciousness.

The tapering design of the exterior portrays a sense of energy—a testament to the dynamism and the quality of the new Peugeot Expert Tepee. Along with the size of the sliding door and its forward position, it gives the vehicle a remarkable interior brightness and excellent panoramic vision for passengers.

All glazed areas are flush-fitting and are fully integrated into the modern styling of the Peugeot Expert Tepee. The “flush” fitting sliding windows can be opened by passengers in the second row of seats.

The rear design is box-shaped and suggests a large capacity and a high level of adaptability. The large rear window allows in plenty of light for the rear passengers, while the rear lamps contribute to giving the vehicle a modern appearance.

Under the hood, the Expert Tepee sports Peugeot’s ever-reliable 2.0-liter HDi with DPF that churns out 163hp and 340Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This frugal engine is coupled with an automatic transmission. With front airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, ESP and ABS plus a speed limiter and cruise control, the Peugeot Expert Tepee puts your family’s safety on top of its priority list.