Peugeot’s Group B rally hero reborn
The Peugeot 205 T16 was one of the most successful rally cars of the Group B era, and now it’s inspiring a new concept – with a modern twist.
Peugeot is looking back 40 years to its success in the World Rally Championship to inspire its latest concept car, unveiling the E-T16 at the Paris motor show.
Designed to showcase Peugeot’s “Feline Future” design language, the unveiling of the E-T16 celebrates 40 years since the 205 T16 clinched its second consecutive world title in the fearsome Group B era.
Claimed to create an all-new category of ‘hyperhatch’ models, the Peugeot E-T16 draws heavily on the 205 T16’s design cues, with its three-slat headlights reimagining the grille design of the original.
Huge wheel-arches, a big bonnet with air outlets, massive cooling intakes on the front bumper, venting behind the front wheels and a twin-diffuser below the ‘cat-ear’ rear wing are an evolution of the design which Group B cars became feared for.
There are other little nods to its history, such as the Winchester Matte Grey body colour similar to the original’s grey finish, as well as silver wheels, body-round red pinstriping, and a liftable rear section to reveal what’s under the skin.
Inside the cabin, Peugeot says the E-T16 previews what the next E-208 will look like, but with everything taken up to 11.
A wide ultra-slim 21-inch panoramic HD display sits ahead of the driver, incorporating the head-up instrument display and central touchscreen, itself positioned over the ‘Hypersquare’ system.
As you’d expect from a racing-bred design, the cabin also features moulded carbon-fibre bucket seats, plus copious amounts of carbon-fibre, anodised aluminium and technical mesh trim.
Carrying across the red highlight theme from the outside, the E-T16 features a red headliner, tubular roll cage and striping on its seats.
Even more impressive are the technical specifications of the Peugeot E-T16, moving the bar even further from the 205 T16.
Powered by three electric motors – one at the front, two at the rear – the E-T16 concept produces an astounding 609kW, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 380kW/tonne.
According to Peugeot, the concept can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds, and take just 16 seconds to reach 300km/h.
It is fed by an 85kWh battery, something which Peugeot claims could deliver a driving range of 400km, and be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes, thanks to its 800-volt architecture.
Helping to stop it from its ridiculous speeds are four 380mm disc brakes, while riding on Michelin tyres measuring 275mm wide up front and 315mm wide at the rear.
Of course, to make sure it has some kind of connection to its rally roots, the E-T16 is fitted with a hydraulic handbrake.
“[The] E-T16 Concept reinterprets the lines of the future Peugeot E-208, pushing every proportion to the extreme,” said Peugeot Design Director, Matthias Hossann.
“A radical design that celebrates our heritage and transforms power and sportiness into a true design language.”
Unfortunately it appears the E-T16 won’t go into production like the equally wild Renault 5 Turbo 3E, but it seems we will at least see some of its design appear in the next E-208.
