Incoming 2027 Peugeot E-208 GTI firms as new rival to the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Renault 5

An iconic revamped hot hatch from Peugeot is about to take a big step towards an official launch. 

The fully-electric Peugeot E-208 GTI will launch later this year as Peugeot seeks to transition one of its most iconic nameplates into the electrified era.

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In Australia it would be a direct rival for the Abarth 500e, but there is no official news on whether it will land Down Under. 

It will need to satisfy the business case to launch in Australia. The hot hatch, which was once offered here in a previous iteration, will face hurdles to remain profitable but offered at a competitive price, given it will need to be shipped over from Europe.

This is something preventing several smaller and budget-targeted models from coming to Australia, although occasional exemptions are made for hot hatches, as was the case for the recently-discontinued Hyundai i20 N.

Similar issues have prevented the standard E-208 from going on sale in Australia, even though Peugeot went to the trouble of getting it approved and announcing it for an Australian launch, which was then cancelled.

Peugeot Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the E-208 GTI will launch in Australia.

The brand will show off three production versions of its new EV hatch later this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its first 24-hour Le Mans race entry.

This will be the first time we will see the final production E-208, following an extended period of development.

The car has spawned from the petrol-powered 208, which has been a popular hatchback model across Europe. 

It will be powered by a single electric motor, producing 209kW and 345Nm, so it can sprint from 0-100km/h in less than six seconds.

It features a 54kWh battery, offering a driving range of 350km, according to WLTP standards.

This latest reveal could provide more details on the specifications for the car as it nears full-scale production.

Peugeot has had a tough time in Australia recently, selling less than 400 units across its range up to May 2026.