2012 Peugeot 208 R2
Following in the footsteps of the celebrated 205, 206 and 207, two competition versions of the Peugeot 208 stand out currently as the development priorities for the technical team of Peugeot Sport’s Customer Competition Department.
The ‘diminutive’, feisty R2 is an indispensable part of the line-up will spearhead this drive. The 208 R2 – which turned a wheel for the first time at the end of 2011 – is an ideally affordable yet competitive solution for novices and for anyone who goes rallying for fun. From 2013, it will replace the 207 R3 as the star of France’s ‘Volant’ series. Although currently only at the beginning of its development phase, it should deliver a power output of some 185 horsepower once all the evolutions have been made to its 1.6-litre, normally-aspirated engine.
This powerplant will drive through a sequential gearbox with a steering wheel-mounted gear shift lever, and the newcomer will also be lighter than its predecessor. A test programme of 8,000km on gravel and tarmac is planned before the car goes on sale in the course of 2012.
