Peugeot 208 GTi now from $29,500

Peugeot Australia has reduced the cost of its 208 GTi hot hatch to $29,500 plus on-road costs – the same price the original 205 GTi arrived Down Under with in 1985.

The price cut, designed to clear the 30 examples of the current model remaining in stock, amounts to a $1500 saving over the regular price of $30,990 plus ORCs, which was increased by $1000 in February.

However, the limited offer, which ends on October 21 or while stocks last, is a precursor to the facelifted 208 range, which arrives here in the fourth quarter of this year comprising new GT Line models and a revised 208 GTi flagship with more power and a higher pricetag.

At the same time, Peugeot Australia has all but sold its allocation of the 208 GTi 30th limited-edition. Of the 26 examples available here – from a global total of 500 – just four remain for $35,990 apiece, although the special-edition could become a permanent fixture of the facelifted 208 line-up, badged as the GTi by Peugeot Sport.

There are no changes to the run-out 208 GTi, which continues to be powered by a 147kW/275Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine. Matched to a six-speed manual transmission, the front-drive hot hatch hits 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, making the French light-car a direct rival for the Ford Fiesta ST (from $25,990), Renault Clio RS (from $29,490) and Volkswagen Polo GTI (from $27,490).

Also standard are 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, six airbags and a 7.0-inch touch-screen with satellite-navigation and Bluetooth connectivity – all features not offered by the 205 GTi, which arrived in the same year the Back to the Future 2 film hit theatres.

The 205 GTi was powered by an 88kW/153Nm naturally aspirated 1.9-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that propelled it via a five-speed manual gearbox to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

“Since it launched 30 years ago the Peugeot 205 GTi has always been viewed as an icon, one of the greats of the hot hatch segment and we thought it fitting to recognise its status with its spiritual successor; the 208 GTi,” said Peugeot Australia general manager John Startari.

“While we can’t travel back in time it’s amazing to think just how far vehicles have come in 30 years – particularly the humble hatchback. In 1985 the idea of a vehicle having Bluetooth, satellite-navigation and the like was as believable as a flying car that ran on plutonium. Yet today it’s the reality and for such a little difference in price.

“We are certain that all 30 vehicles will be spoken for fairly quickly, so our only advice is to get in to a dealer before you’re OUTATIME,” said Startari.