French car brand Peugeot has channeled one of its most famous hot hatches for its wilderness Polygon Concept, an electric hatch that previews the radical design and fresh engineering of the next generation 208.
The smartly designed three-door Polygon – named after its “multiple personalities” – was envisioned as “the shape of future driving pleasure” and was inspired by the 205 GTi, which was sold here between 1987 and 1994.
The 205 GTi, the performance version of Peugeot’s light sedan, is considered by many enthusiasts to be the epitome of ten-tenths driver commitment, with a rally pedigree that makes it a collector’s item even today.
In a statement, Peugeot said the electric concept was “not a dream” but a preview of “the Peugeots of tomorrow” – with the next generation 208, a rival to the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia, due around 2027.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
Australia is yet to confirm its timeline for the reintroduction of the 208 and its electric E-208 version as it reviews its local product strategy.
The current generation gasoline-powered 208 was never launched here, but a small handful of electric E-208s were delivered locally.
The e-208 GTI introduced earlier this year – also not confirmed for Australia – had allusions to the legendary 205.
The 205 GTi’s features start with each wheel pushed as far as possible – with extremely short overhangs – and a thick C-pillar that houses a charging port and charge indicator in place of the 205 GTi’s engine size and GTi badges.
The taillights also mimic the 205’s cubic originals, with a lower bumper diffuser and tailgate-mounted rear wing in the style of the legendary Group B 205 GTi T16 Evo rally cars of the 1980s.
The white exterior and contrasting red cabin also follow 1980s hot hatch fashion – but now with “XXL butterfly” doors for access to a second generation “i-Cockpit” layout with customizable themes.
The windshield becomes an instrument panel with a “Hypersquare” steering wheel, which was developed from previous Peugeot concept vehicles.
For the Polygon, the four circles bring together the most important features: Its steer-by-wire technology enables different steering ratios to enable both responsive off-road driving and fewer turns from lock to lock when parking.
The system, the automaker says, will be used in a production Peugeot by 2027 – again, a date that would coincide with the next-generation 208, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
The steering wheel can be exchanged for a different design, the seats are made of individual foam pieces, which can also be exchanged for new colors or other shapes. Parts of the dashboard are also replaceable.
While some design elements have been recycled from the 1980s, Peugeot has also focused on recycled materials, including cabin paint and hubcaps.
Peugeot has performed strongly in 2025 despite the difficulties of its parent company Stellantis, with the 208 being the third best-selling vehicle in Europe in the first half of 2025.
Things are less rosy in Australia. By the end of October, Peugeot – under importer Inchcape – had delivered 1,168 vehicles, a decline of 31.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
MORE: Discover the Peugeot showroom
