The new Peugeot 208 has not even hit Irish roads but already the French manufacturer is planning to bring it rallying. The new 208 R2 was built by the team at Peugeot Sport and will debut at the Tour de Corse - the fourth round of the International Rallye Challenge (IRC).
Unfortunately the 208 R2's first outing will not be a competitive debut. Instead it will act as a route sweeper, running ahead of the field of competitors. Peugeot Sport drivers Stephane Sassazin and Benjamin Veilles will stay in Corsica for a week after the event to conduct testing.
For the 208 R2 is more than just a warmed up 208. Fitted with a 185hp 1.6-litre VTi engine and a newly developed five-speed sequential gearbox, the R2 is the real thing and will undoubtedly see action at one of the later IRC events.
To make the rally racer competitive the Peugeot Sport team worked to reduce the weight of the body shell to bring down the centre of gravity and reduce the inertia of the car. A long wheelbase should give excellent stability and road-holding while a multi-point roll cage will ensure the 208 R2 is both stiff and safe should the worst happen.
"The 208 carries over the spirit of the 205 and the 206 plus the functionality of the 207 in a thoroughly modern package," said Xavier Peugeot, Product Director for 208. "With the 208 R2, Peugeot Sport has created an ideal and affordable rally car for someone who wants their first taste of rallying or to simply enjoy their passion."
Peugeot has confirmed that the 208 R2 will be the first of three sporting versions of the new 208 that Peugeot intends to reveal in 2012, one of which will be a replacement for the current 207 Super 2000 rally car.
The gravel and asphalt versions of the R2 will both be available in kit form or fully built from November 2012 from Peugeot Sport.