Peugeot Sport has strengthened its range
with the introduction of the new 208 rally car. Named the 208 Rally 4, the
successor of the 208 R2 is entirely new and has been in the works since
mid-2018. Building on the road-going new-gen 208,
the racer adds numerous visual and technical upgrades, such as the
model-specific body kit, 6×15- or 7×17-inch Speedline wheels, McPherson
suspension, bigger brakes and mechanical limited-slip differential.
The new Peugeot 208 Rally 4 retains the
1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine from its road car sibling as well,
only it’s adapted for competition use. It thus gets a bigger turbo, Magnetti
Marelli engine management system and a SADEV gearbox, pumping out 208 PS at 5,450 rpm and 290 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.
The front-wheel drive rally car will make
its competitive debut at the Madrid Rally in Spain on November 22-23, where it
will be put through its paces by Efren Llarena and Sara Fernandez. It will also
be in France, for the Rallye du Var, between November 22 and 24.
Those interested in the new 208 Rally 4
will be able to place a deposit in early January. The order books will open in
the second quarter of next year, though, and the car starts at € 66,000
(US$ 72,918) in France, excluding tax. Those taking part in the rallies in Spain
and France will have priority in taking delivery of the first examples.
