The ten best Peugeot GTIs

These revered three letters – GTI – have graced the rear of numerous sporting Peugeot derivatives for almost 40 years, with exceptional GTI models such as the legendary 205, 309 and 306 now enjoying cult status and growing modern classic values.

The GTI tag has been retired by Peugeot as the French brand begins to abandon its traditional internal combustion engines that have served it well for the past 125 years, in favour of its new Peugeot Sport Engineered (PSE) performance division, founded to focus on more powerful versions of its latest plug-in hybrid and all-electric models. It all kicks off with the 365PS 508 PSE Hybrid.

Of course, Peugeot wasn’t the first car maker to adopt the GTI tag for its livelier models. This three letter contraction of Gran Turismo Iniezione (Grand Touring Injection) was initially used just over 60 years ago, not on a certain German hot hatch from Wolfsburg, as most would suspect (the first Golf GTI didn’t appear until 1975), but on the fuel-injected Maserati 3500 GTI of 1960. But Peugeot has stuck with it, while other sporty nameplates, like R, Rallye and Mi16, have come and gone.

As GTI is Peugeot’s most commonly known and celebrated sporting sub-brand, then, we’ve summarised the ten best Peugeot GTI models, with an excepted start.

Peugeot 604 GTI – 1983-85

Surprisingly, the very first Peugeot to wear a GTI badge was not a pert and excitable hot hatch, but rather a large and lolloping luxury saloon! The least-known and shortest-lived of all Peugeot GTI models, the 604 GTI was launched in July 1983 as the marque’s range-topping sports variant, with around 3,000 examples built before disappearing in late 1985.  

Based around the original 2.7-litre V6 604 of 1975, the fully-equipped GTI version’s engine was increased to a 2,849cc displacement. Power climbed from 146PS to 157PS with torque increasing from 217Nm to 238Nm at 3,000rpm, all going through a five-speed manual or ZF automatic gearbox with a limited-slip differential, plus some other revisions. Despite these, the elegant 604 GTI did not have a very sporty character, but was rather a rapid form of comfort, favoured by ex-French President Francoise Mitterrand for his personal use, with a handful of stretched limousine GTI conversions by Heuliez also being made.

Peugeot 205 GTI – 1984-94

The car that shot Peugeot’s sporting GTI variants to fame and began a lasting cult was the 205 GTI, first seen at the March 1984 Geneva Motor Show in 1.6-litre, 106PS guise only. Based on the three-door 205 bodyshell and blessed with pleasing Pininfarina style and panache, the lightweight (850kg) GTI was an instant hit, the motoring media of the day in raptures over the pocket rocket’s poise, performance, enticing and exemplary lift-off oversteer handling, akin to the Mini Cooper S of the 1960s and ‘70s Alfasud Ti.  

In March 1986 the 1.6 GTI’s power grew to 117PS, with the more potent but heavier 132PS 1.9 added later that year, identifiable by its distinctive larger 15” eight-hole alloys. Arguably the greatest hot hatch ever made (with the values of nice, tidy examples now reflecting the car’s capabilities and status), just under 295,000 GTI models were built (from a total of almost 5.3 million 205s in all) to become one of the all-time motoring greats.

Peugeot 505 GTI – 1985-91

Pininfarina’s magic touch was immediately evident when Peugeot introduced it subtle but handsome 505 executive saloon in 1979. By 1983 a sporting STi with a four-cylinder 2.2-litre motor was introduced, this being replaced in 1985 with the 130PS 505 GTI to tie-in with the success of the smaller 205 GTI. Unlike Peugeot’s other GTIs though, this wasn’t the top-of-the-line 505 model, that honour falling to both the confusingly faster and more powerful 180PS 2.2 Turbo (0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, versus 10.0 seconds for the 505 GTI), plus the plusher but costlier 2.8 V6.

The first (and only) Peugeot GTI to also be offered in estate form as well as a saloon, the 505 was also the brand’s final rear-wheel-drive GTI model. Popular in the 1980s, just two 505 GTIs are believed to remain registered in the UK now.

Peugeot 309 GTI – 1987-93

The Peugeot 309 GTI was, and unfairly remains, the poor relation to its smaller 205 GTI sibling. Based on a stretched 205 platform, and sharing that model’s doors, the 309 was originally created to be a Talbot (the Arizona) but was switched to Peugeot branding at the eleventh-hour as PSA elected to pull the plug on its failing ex-Chrysler Europe brand.
The 309 GTI borrowed numerous parts from the 205 GTI, including its 132PS 1.9-litre engine and gearbox, ensuring that it drove and handled exceptionally well (better some would argue, due to its longer wheelbase with better weight distribution).

In comparison to the 205 with its Italian flair, the three-door 309 GTI was styled in-house, looking more fussy, unbalanced and less stylish than C-sector hot hatch rivals of the era such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Vauxhall Astra GTE and Ford Escort XR3i, despite dynamically out-classing these competitors considerably on the road.

To help UK sales, in late 1991 around 375 special Goodwood Editions (in dark metallic Goodwood Green with the Motor Circuit depicted on its badge) were introduced, with five-door coachwork and a 16-valve 309 GTI 16 S reserved for a few LHD-only Continental European markets. Great to drive, for those in the know, the 309 is debatably the classic Peugeot GTI of choice.

Peugeot 106 GTI – 1996-2003

Sharing all the charm and character of its larger and costlier 205 sibling, the smaller entry Peugeot 106 debuted in 1991 with sporting XS, S16 and acclaimed Rallye versions soon added to the range.

Five years on, buoyed by the success and noticeable gap left by the now-departed 205 GTI, Peugeot introduced a welcome GTI derivative to the popular 106 family.   

With a 122PS 1.6-litre 16-valve motor, the 106 GTI was marginally heavier (950kg) than the expired 205 GTI 1.6, but with a more efficient engine and transmission, it was quicker from 0-62mph, taking a swift 8.7 seconds.

With equally entertaining handling, phenomenal grip and an excellent ride, it was difficult to match on a challenging twisty road. The 127mph top speed, grippy sports seats and stylish bespoke GTI alloys rounded off this highly compelling package nicely too.

Peugeot 306 GTI-6 – 1993-03

Launched in 1993 as a true Pininfarina-designed Peugeot to replace the ‘cuckoo in the nest’ misfit 309, the 306 immediately became the new benchmark in the C-segment, setting the standard for an accomplished chassis combining a fine ride and handling, even in entry 1.1-litre form.

With the base 306 already class-setting, imagine just how good the sporting GTI derivative would be. The end result, the 306 GTI-6, so called as it had a first-in-class six-speed gearbox, engineered by Peugeot's motorsport division, was mated to its 169PS 2.0-litre engine. Considered the best gearbox ever fitted to a road-going Peugeot, the six-speed transmission was precise, quick and smooth, helping the 306 GTI to be proclaimed another hot hatch cracker from the respected Sochaux marque.
As with its GTI predecessors, the 306 shared the same vital responsiveness and agility, its light 1,200kg making for a rewarding and involving driving experience, with the model usually taking the laurels in almost every contemporary hot hatch comparison test.

Peugeot 206 GTI 180 – 2003-07

After the delight and dominance of previous Peugeot GTI hot hatches, expectations were understandably very high for the new 206 GTI. Initially released in 1999 as the 136PS 206 GTI, the new Pug not only lost the elegance and class of not being a Pininfarina creation, but it had nowhere near enough power to compensate for all the extra weight it had to carry thanks to its extra safety equipment, and unlike its forbears, the model was far from receiving critical acclaim.

By 2003, a lethargic Peugeot finally reacted to rectifying the 206 GTI’s early criticisms by introducing the improved GTI 180, so named due to its welcome power uplift to 182PS. The 180 also received more aggressive styling, including body coloured bumpers, a larger rear spoiler and bigger alloy wheels, to give this 206 derivative more overt GTI styling. The larger alloys detracted from the car’s driving pleasure however, and its handling was good but not great, lacking the exciting vitality of earlier GTIs.  

Peugeot 207 GTI THP – 2007-09

Following the disappointment of its 206 GTI, Peugeot ambitiously claimed that its new 207 GTI was its hottest hatch ever. This bold claim was prompted by the new GTI’s lively 175PS, 1.6-litre THP (turbo high pressure) engine with plenty of low-down torque, creating a totally different character to the 206 GTI’s motor. This new 207 engine was co-developed with BMW for use in the MINI Cooper-S, giving good power, strong torque and frugal fuel efficiency – something previous GTI models couldn’t comfortably claim.

Although a notable improvement over the 206 GTI 180, the new 207 GTI 175 still failed to be ‘just as exhilarating as the 205’ as Peugeot had bravely declared. The 207’s heavy front end provided good grip, but the steering was electrically powered and provided very little feel. The harsh suspension setup, combined with some body roll in the corners, meant it was simply not as much fun as a 205 GTI through the twisty bits.

Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport – 2013-19

The first-generation Peugeot 208 was a refreshing return to form for Peugeot and its entry three-door GTI model. Tipping the scales a useful 165kg lighter than the previous 207 GTI 175, dynamically the driver could feel the difference, particularly through the bends, helped by stiffer anti-roll bars, sports springing and upgraded dampers to enhance grip.

At last, the lively 211PS 208 GTI was considered by many informed observers as the best Peugeot hot hatch in many years, the hot hatch choice for the discerning and more ‘grown-up’ driving enthusiast, and arguably the best all-round GTI offering Peugeot has ever made, being faster, safer, more economical and more refined that any other previous GTI to bear the distinctive performance badge.

Plans for the current second-generation 208 to include a GTI derivative were canned two years ahead of the five-door-only model’s launch.

Peugeot 308 GTI by Peugeot Sport – 2015-20

Although we didn’t know it at the time of its 2015 reveal, the outgoing second-generation 308 GTI is the last in a long-line of sporting GTI models to be built by the French marque. As such, the 308 needed to be good, and thankfully general consensus agrees that this latest, and last, GTI is every inch the pure Peugeot hot hatch, albeit with an unsporting five-door bodyshell only.

With a 270PS 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a sophisticated chassis that features a Torsen limited-slip diff and Michelin Super Sport tyres, the 308 GTI finally meant that Peugeot could once again hold its head high and go out with a bang after a handful of disappointing GTI models. One intriguing final touch was Peugeot’s ‘Coupe Franche’ ('clean-cut) paint option, an exclusive and attention-grabbing diagonal matt black paint finish that could only be applied to the rear quarters of GTI model within the 308 range.

Around 39,000 examples of the 308 GTI had been made by the time production ended recently in December 2020, with the model proving a fitting end to a (mostly) outstanding family of engaging performance GTI derivatives. Adieu Peugeot’s GTIs, you will be missed.