Peugeot 208 R5 Rally Car

The replacement for the highly successful 207 Super 2000 model, which is being retired after numerous international wins and championships.

The 2012 Paris Auto Show is featuring everything from supercars, to zero emission sport-utilities, and just about everything you can imagine in-between. On the racier side of the spectrum is the Peugeot 208 R5 Rally Car, the replacement for the French automaker's highly successful 207 Super 2000 model, which is being retired after numerous international wins and championships. About the only thing we don't like about this nimble little sports car is that we can't bring it back home with us. Okay, there is that, along with the 208 R5's estimated price tag of $233,000. That makes for one expensive souvenir!

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Lighter and Faster

Rally rules dictate a minimum weight of 2,640 lbs. for gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R5. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4, this new engine replaces the outgoing 207's larger 2.0-liter engine. Yet, according to Peugeot, output and performance should be the same if not better than before. "We are aiming for performance which is slightly higher than that of the S2000," said Bertrand Vallat, project manager of the 208 R5 and the outgoing Super 200. "We are starting with the 1.6 THP, that is already a prize winner. We know that it is reliable and powerful and we can achieve 280 horsepower."

Peugeot 208 R5 Rally Car

Peugeot has worked hard to take weight out of the standard 208 hatchback’s platform. This weight reduction program has managed to trim 88 lbs. from the R5's chassis. With the turbo 4-cylinder coupled to a five-speed sequential transmission, long travel suspension and four-wheel-drive system, we think the 208 R5 would be a riot on any kind of rally surface. Sales are set to begin in the second half of 2013.

Peugeot 208 R5 Rally Car