The Peugeot E-T16 concept is an electrified homage to Group B rallies

The E-T16 concept packs 816 hp, three electric motors and outrageous styling inspired by the legendary 205 T16 rally car.

Peugeot has a long history of building really fun and somewhat crazy hot hatchbacks. That said, this latest creation makes some of the crazier things she’s built seem entirely reasonable. This is the Concept E-T16, an electric monster that pays homage to Peugeot’s legendary 205 T16 rally car. It can hit 300km/h in just 16 seconds, has three electric motors and looks like something that escaped a Group B fever dream. And Peugeot says some of its technology and styling will actually reach production.

The new concept celebrates 40 years since Peugeot’s 205 T16 won back-to-back World Rally Championships in 1985 and 1986. That T16 remains one of the most recognizable machines of the Group B era, and the new E-T16 makes no secret of its respect. Peugeot Sport claims that this is the start of a new generation of “Hyperhatch”. This is a category that I think most of us can get behind.

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The E-T16 uses three electric motors, one driving the front wheels and two powering the rear wheels. Together they produce 815 hp (608 kW), making it the most powerful Peugeot ever built. This power translates to a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds, which even stock Group B rally weapons would struggle to match. Engineering is about more than straight-line speed.

The concept includes vector torque distribution on both axles, three driving modes and a fourth customizable setting. It also gets 15-inch (380mm) brake discs at all four corners, Michelin tires measuring 275mm at the front and 315mm at the rear and a vertically mounted hydraulic handbrake. Perfect for the difficult hairpin turns of the Col de Turini.

A new battery cooling system that extracts heat through the sides of the cells rather than at the base, keeps you at rally pace for longer. Peugeot claims the change allows the car to complete three consecutive laps on the Nürburgring Nordschleife without losing power. Just three rounds? If you ever needed a refresher on how combustion cars can tackle long stints on a race track, here it is.

Group B Swagger

Visually, the E-T16 is largely inspired by its famous ancestor. The widened fenders, huge rear spoiler and aggressively sculpted bodywork are obvious nods. Winchester Matte Gray paint, silver wheels and a red light strip that wraps around the bodywork are additional elements of the original 205 T16.

The rear swivels like the original rally car, but this time there is no gasoline engine but an electric powertrain. The bodywork also incorporates a rear diffuser with adjustable aerodynamic blades, massive front cooling intakes and a floating C-pillar designed to direct airflow rearward. Again, this isn’t a production car, but boy oh boy has Peugeot laid the foundation for a car that would have us all reaching for our checkbooks.

The design gives a glimpse of what we can expect from the new generation E-208, albeit in a less macho form, Peugeot says. The 2027 production hatch benefits from the same horizontal interpretation of the Peug three-claw lighting signature and the cabin also hints at the direction future road cars will take. A 21-inch curved panoramic screen spans the dashboard, while Peugeot’s unusual Hypersquare steering wheel dominates the cabin.

Steering by wire

This wheel is not only interesting for its shape. It’s connected – or not, in this case – to the front wheels via electric steering technology. The production E-208 will benefit from the same Hypersquare wheel and electric steering technology. Hopefully a GTI variant can also benefit from the configurable display. Whether or not it will also get carbon fiber bucket seats is less certain.

Peugeot customers have a lot to look forward to, even if just a small part of this concept’s design and technology makes it to production. But it would be a real shame if the brand didn’t put something like the E-T16 into production, after giving us a glimpse of what’s possible.

Peugeot