Peugeot 208 T16 is the latest rally car produced by the French manufacturer to compete in the R5 class of the World Rally Championship, European Rally Championship and other international and national championships.

The car had its debut in the 2014 season and since then its scored more than 100 rally victories, the most notable in the European Rally Championship, in which Craig Breen was the championship runner-up in 2015.

Successor of 207 S2000, throwback to 205 T16

The model 208 T16 succeeded the 207 S2000, which was in use since 2007. The 208 T16 came with a different concept compared to the 207 S2000. The 280-hp 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine was replaced with 1.6-litre turbo.The power output remains the same (280 hp), with 400 Nm of torque.

Unlike its rivals in the R5 class (Ford Fiesta R5, Škoda Fabia R5, Citroen DS3 R5…), Peugeot avoided using the R5 mark in the name, putting the T16 moniker on the car, as a reminder to the legendary Peugeot 205 T16.

Maiden win for 208 T16 at 2014 Acropolis Rally

The 208 T16 appeared for the first time as a course car at 2013 Ypres Rally, driven by Kris Meeke. In the 2014 season, the 208 T16 became the official car of the Peugeot Rally Academy in the European Rally Championship, with Kevin Abbring and Craig Breen as drivers.

The maiden victory for the car came in March, with Craig Breen winning the Acropolis Rally, the fourth round of the championship. It remained the only win for Breen and he finished third in the final standings.

More and more customer teams were using 208 T16

During its first season, the 208 T16 became the popular customer car, so it participated in few national and regional championships (Italy, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Belgium, Austria…) but also spreading to private teams in the European Championship.

The car had its first WRC appearance at 2014 Rally Italia Sardegna, where Karl Kruuda finished fourth in the WRC2 classification. In October, at WRC event Rallye de France Alsace, Kevin Abbring was the fastest in the RC2 class.

Craig Breen was the ERC vice-champion with Peugeot

In 2015, Craig Breen scored three wins in the European Championship (Liepaja, Ireland, Azores), finishing as the runner-up behind Kajetan Kajetanowicz. The other drivers of the Peugeot Rally Academy in ERC events were Charles Martin, Stephane Lefebvre, Timmu Korge and Emil Bergkvist. Beside PRA, six more teams were using the 208 T16 in the European Championship.

Three WRC podiums in 2015

More and more teams were using the 208 T16 during the 2015 season and the number of wins increased from 14 in debut year to 36 during 2015. In the WRC events, Peugeot scored three podiums. Breen was second in a class at Monte Carlo and third at Wales Rally GB, Paolo Andreucci finished second at Sardinia.

Hundred victories for 208 T16 in 2016 and 2017

In 2016, the 208 T16 was the winning car in 53 events. Peugeot Rally Academy decreased its activities in the European Rally Championship, so the best result was the second place at Ypres Rally for a privately-entered car of Kris Princen.

Jose Antonio Suarez was the main Peugeot’s driver in the World Rally Championship but he finished only 19th in the final standings of the WRC 2 championship. Only who scored WRC podiums with 208 T16 was Polish driver Hubert Ptaszek, who finished second in Mexico and third in Australia.

More than forty overall rally wins, 47 exactly, were added to 208 T16s account in 2017 in different championships all over the world, from Europe to South America. Some notable results were victories for Kevin Abbring at Ypres Rally and Rallye de Wallonie, a victory for Sebastien Loeb at Rallye du Chablais and a victory for Paolo Andreucci at Rallye Sanremo. The similar results followed in 2018 with more than forty wins all around the world.

One of a kind 208 T16 for Sebastien Loeb

Except more then forty 208 T16 rally cars built until the end of 2016, Peugeot produced a unique 208 T16 Pikes Peak prototype for Sebastien Loeb. The nine-time WRC champion traveled to Colorado with that car and smashed the record time at the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He needed just 8 minutes 13.878 seconds to reach the peak.

Loeb’s car was one of a kind. It features 3.2-litre V6 biturbo engine with 875 hp. With just 875 kg of weight, it has an outstanding power to weight ratio 1:1. The four-wheel-drive car had an acceleration as Formula One car, with 1,8 second from zero to 100 km/h.

Video : Peugeot 208 T16 teaser

Peugeot 208 T16 technical specifications

Length: 3962 mm

Width: 1820 mm

Wheelbase: 2560 mm

Weight: 1200 kg

Engine: 1598cc, 4 cylinder turbo-charged

Power/torque: 280 hp/400 Nm

Transmission: full-time 4WDfront and rear limited slip differential

Gearbox: 3MOP 5-speed sequential

Suspension: Pseudo Mac Pherson front and rear

Braking system: front and rear 355 mm discs (asphalt) or 300 mm (gravel)

Wheels/tires: aluminum monobloc 8×18 (asphalt) or 7×15 (gravel)225/40/18 (asphalt), 215/65/15 (gravel)

Video : Peugeot 208 T16 test