New Peugeot 208 Racing Bows As A Lightweight, Entry-Level Racecar

No, that's not your regular Peugeot 208. Instead, this is a bargain basement rally-racing version of which called the 208 Racing.

Pictured here is a brand-new racecar offering based on the second-generation Peugeot 208 hatchback. Unveiled by Stellantis Motorsports, the firm’s racing division says the new Peugeot 208 Racing is positioned as a lightweight and affordable entry-level racecar.

Specifically, the 208 Racing was developed for the new FR6 Trophy rally racing category of the French Rally Cup 2025 organised by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA). Peugeot’s parent firm Stellantis is the first manufacturer to commit to this class.

Developed by Stellantis Motorsports, the Peugeot 208 Racing was built for the new FR6 Trophy competition class of the French Cup 2025.

Based on the recently face-lifted 208 hatch on sale in Europe presently, the 208 Racing benefits with a slew of upgrades all around. Under the hood, it employs a familiar 1.2-litre 3-cyl turbocharged mill derived from the standard production model.

Thanks to an upgraded turbocharger and adoption superethanol-E85 fuel, said mill outputs 143 HP (107 KW), marking a significant 44 HP bump from the base production version’s 99 HP figure. All of which powers the front wheels via a six-speed short-ratio manual transmission too.

Underneath, the 208 Racing employs a race-prepped version of the road car's 1.2-litre 3-cyl turbo that runs on superethanol-E85 fuel producing 143 HP.

While the output figure seems ‘modest’ at best, we’ll also point out that the 208 Racing only weighs in at 1,050 KG in all. In other words, power-to-weight ratio in this rally-honed special is its main key to its race-ready performance and handling.

Speaking of, both the suspension and brakes are beefed up too using feedback provided by professional racing drivers. As for rolling stock, this bargain-basement racing special adopts white-painted steelies shod in Michelin Pilot Sport PS5 tyres to keep costs down.

On board, the 208 Racing sees the usual weight-saving measures whilst also gaining both a welded roll cage and fire extinguishing system. Stellantis Motorsports adds that the dash has been ‘optimised’ to avoid reflections.

Other key additions on board include a kill-switch (circuit breaker), custom control in the centre console, the adoption of a race-specific multi-function display, as well as competition-specific electronics architecture that makes it easier for teams to acquire and analyse driving data.

Tipping the scales at just 1,50 KG, power-to-weight ratio is the key to this bargain basement racing special's performance.

Besides the rolling stock mentioned earlier, the 208 Racing also adopts a standard ‘livery’ for its exterior featuring lime green accents on the DRLs up front plus side-mirror caps. These aside, little else has changed in the exterior of the 208 Racing from the regular road-going model.

Excluding taxes, the Peugeot 208 Racing is tagged at €38,900 (approx. RM181,811).

Would you fancy this bargain-priced and rally-ready hatch as your starter weekend track toy? Or would you prefer the ‘basic’ Cup Car version of the Subaru BRZ instead? Or would you rather skip both and build a Myvi Cup Car? Share your thoughts in the comments below…