Peugeot is considering an e-308 GTi to follow the e-208 GTi, with CEO Alain Favey suggesting to Autocar that a hot version of the electric hatchback “makes a lot of sense”. 

The revered performance badge will return in June on the e-208 GTi, which is to be launched at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race – and Favey said he wants to build a range of performance EVs, confirming an e-308 is a contender.

“I would love to have a range of GTis, of course, so we're looking at options, possibilities with the technology that we have,” said Favey. “For sure, we want a GTi to be really something special, something really top in terms of what it promises. The 308 would obviously make a lot of sense.”

However, Favey suggested creating an e-308 GTi would be no mean feat, due to several challenges. “It's difficult to find technology that will allow us to get there at a price that is still affordable,” he said. “That's what we struggle to achieve at the moment - to find the technology and the right price balance.” 

Earlier this year, Autocar reported fellow Stellantis brand Vauxhall’s plans to produce a hot electric Astra GSE, following the Mokka GSE and Corsa GSE. This is likely to use a front-driven powertrain with 277bhp, plus a limited-slip differential. Given the e-308 and Astra share underpinnings, the French EV would probably receive the same set-up.

Pushed further on how Peugeot would expand the GTi range, Favey confirmed that, unlike Vauxhall, it has no SUVs planned. “I don't think [an] SUV as a GTi makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Speaking more about the e-208 GTi, the first EV to wear the badge and the first Peugeot GTi since the hot 308 went off sale in 2021, Favey said: “A lot of people are excited about the prospect of this car being launched. It got a number of question marks as to why is it an electric car. 

“What I'm most excited about personally is to see a lot of these questions being turned into excitement when people will actually drive the car and discover how exhilarating it is to drive this car with 280 horsepower as an electric car, and the chassis being absolutely top of what you can expect in that category of hot hatches.

“I'm looking forward to seeing these very petrolhead kind of persons turned into fans of the electric world through the 208 GTi.”