Peugeot E-T16 Concept debuts with an 816-hp tri-motor electric powertrain

Peugeot has unveiled the radical E-T16 Concept on the eve of the Paris Motor Show, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic 205 T16 winning consecutive World Rally Championship titles in 1985 and 1986. Developed in collaboration with Peugeot Sport, the electric hot hatch pays tribute to the legendary Group B rally car while previewing the styling and technology for the next-generation E-208 supermini.

The E-T16 is Peugeot's most powerful creation to date, equipped with a three-motor electric powertrain featuring one motor on the front axle and two at the rear. Together, they generate an astonishing 816 horsepower, achieving a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2 kilograms per horsepower. Acceleration matches supercar territory, sprinting from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds and reaching 186 mph (300 km/h) in just 16 seconds. Power delivery is managed by torque vectoring that continuously modulates power between axles and across the rear wheels. Drivers can toggle between three drive presets, including Track mode, alongside a fully customizable fourth setting.

To ensure consistent track performance, Peugeot Sport developed a motorsport-derived Side Cooling system that cools the battery cells through their side walls rather than the base. Peugeot claims the system provides sufficient thermal management to complete three laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife (over 37 miles / 60 km) in Performance mode without throttling power. The 800-volt architecture pairs with an 85-kWh battery pack offering up to 249 miles (400 km) of WLTP range, supporting 10 to 80 percent charging in under 15 minutes.

Chassis upgrades include 15-inch (380 mm) brake discs, a rally-spec vertical hydraulic handbrake, and Michelin tires measuring 275 mm up front and 315 mm at the rear. The exterior debuts Peugeot's "Feline Future" design philosophy with flared fenders, sculpted hood outlets, front bumper intakes, an active rear diffuser, and a rear wing with cat-ear styling. Finished in Winchester Matte Grey with a continuous red pinstripe, the car pays tribute to the original 205 T16 with a rear bodywork section that tilts upward to expose the suspension and rear electric drive units.

Inside, the cabin previews the next-generation i-Cockpit centered around a rectangular Hypersquare steer-by-wire controller with an integrated central display. A curved 21-inch panoramic HD display houses instrument and infotainment data directly in the driver's sightline. The cockpit also features carbon-fiber bucket seats trimmed in upcycled leather offcuts, four-point harnesses, and a red tubular roll cage.