Peugeot has gone totally bonkers with this new concept car: new E-T16 revealed
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This is the Peugeot E-T16 concept, and it’s a look ahead to what a future E-208 hot hatch could look like. News editor Jamie Edkins tells you everything you need to know.
This is the new Peugeot E-T16 concept. It’s a preview of the future E-208 electric hatchback, while also paying tribute to Peugeot’s 1985 World Rally Championship-winning 205.
It’s got 816hp, does 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and features Peugeot’s new steer-by-wire technology – something I’ve tried for myself – more on that later. Of course, a future production car is unlikely to be anywhere near this extreme, but it gives you an idea of Peugeot’s ambitions for the future.
New Peugeot E-T16 design
The Peugeot E-T16 is based on the Polygon concept from earlier this year, but with everything turned up to 11. While the Polygon previews the future E-208, this car shows us what a GTI version could look like.
The 1985 Peugeot 205 T16 was a rally homologation special, and the E-T16 concept has plenty of styling cues from that car. The bonnet scoops and side-mounted are a homage, as are the boxy flared wheel arches.
It also has a much deeper chin spoiler than the Polygon, and a larger rear diffuser as well. You certainly won’t lose it in a car park, although a future production model will be toned-down compared to this wild concept car.
New Peugeot E-T16 motors, performance and driving
Powering the Peugeot E-T16 is a trio of electric motors, and combined they produce 816hp. The result is 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, the same as a Porsche 911 Turbo S, and it’ll do 0-186mph in 16 seconds.
That makes this little French hatchback just as fast as a Bugatti Veyron, and it’s not all about performance either.
Just like the Peugeot Polygon, the E-T16 uses the new “Hypersquare” steering setup. It’s a steer-by-wire system, meaning there’s no physical connection between the steering yoke and the front wheels.
It basically means you don’t have to turn more than 180-degrees from lock-to-lock. I’ve tried this system in the Peugeot Polygon, and I was surprised at how easy it was to get to grips with. The steering can be quicker at low speeds to make the car feel more agile, but less sensitive when you’re going faster so it’s not too twitchy on the motorway.
Getting back into a car with a traditional steering system felt like trying to dock a cruise ship by comparison. I reckon it’s a really clever system.
And this isn’t just a concept car fantasy either. The new Peugeot E-208 will be offered with this system, although the performance is likely to be wound back a bit for the production version.
The E-T16 also has a new 85kWh battery, which is cooled by those side vents when you’re really pushing it. Peugeot says it’ll deliver up to 249 miles of range, and it’ll charge from 10-80% in just 15 minutes thanks to an 800-volt electrical system.
When can I buy the new Peugeot E-T16?
Sadly, you won’t be able to buy this car in its current state. It’s just a concept car for now, but it gives you an idea of what the new E-208 GTI could look like.
The standard E-208 will be revealed next year, so you can expect the GTI version to come along in 2028.
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