Next-gen Peugeot 208: what was shown in Paris — E-T16 concept with 816 к.с. and Hypersquare steering wheel

On 12 October 2026 at the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot did not unveil the production next-generation 208 itself — instead, the brand presented the E-T16 concept, which it officially calls the “ultimate vision of the future E-208”. It is an 816 hp electric hot hatch with three electric motors, an 85 kWh battery and a Hypersquare steering wheel with no mechanical link to the wheels. Below is what Peugeot announced in Paris, what of that is set to make it into the production model, and what the manufacturer has not yet revealed.

Contents

• What Peugeot showed in Paris on 12 October
• What specifications the E-T16 concept has
• What from E-T16 will carry over to the new E-208
• When the new Peugeot 208 will be released and what platform it will be on
• What else they showed: RCZ Vision and Polygon

What Peugeot showed in Paris on 12 October

Peugeot’s press conference took place on 12 October at 10:10 in Hall 4 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre; the show is open to visitors from 13 to 18 October. The roughly 1,300 m² stand is built around two world premieres — the E-T16 and RCZ Vision concepts. Nearby are the Polygon concept with two Hypersquare steering simulators, the production E-208 GTi next to the legendary 205 GTi, and the 9X8 hypercar for the World Endurance Championship. A general overview of the show is in the piece on the main Paris premieres.

E-T16 was created together with Peugeot Sport to mark the 40th anniversary of the rally 205 T16’s World Championship victories in 1985 and 1986. This is the very concept Peugeot directly links to the next E-208, while RCZ Vision is a separate brand manifesto in coupe form.

What specifications the E-T16 concept has

Peugeot calls E-T16 its most powerful car; some outlets уточнюють that this applies to road cars — the racing 208 T16 Pikes Peak had 875 hp. The side cooling of the battery cells, according to the manufacturer, makes it possible to drive three consecutive laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the most powerful mode without power limiting. There are three driving modes plus a fourth, fully configurable one; there is a vertical hydraulic “handbrake”.

On the outside, the concept is finished in matte Winchester grey — a reference to the road-going 205 T16 — with silver wheels and a red illuminated line around the perimeter of the body. Widened fenders, large front air intakes, a double diffuser with adjustable vanes, a rear “cat-ear” spoiler, and a rear body section that lifts entirely, as on the original T16. The charging port is hidden where the petrol T16 had a side air intake. Inside — red upholstery, a safety cage, carbon bucket seats, a curved 21-inch panoramic display and a Hypersquare steering wheel. Peugeot did not disclose body dimensions or exact weight.

What from E-T16 will carry over to the new E-208

E-T16 will not become a production model: Peugeot has not announced any production plans. But according to the brand, the concept’s cabin is a preview of the future E-208, and the Feline Future design language and some i-Cockpit solutions debut on it. According to Carscoops, the production hatchback will get the Hypersquare steering wheel with a steer-by-wire system and a horizontal light signature of three “claws” — in Peugeot’s words, in a “less aggressive form”.

Steer-by-wire means there is no mechanical steering column between the steering wheel and the wheels: sensors read the steering wheel position, and the wheels are turned by electric motors. That is why the rim can be rectangular — the four cut-outs of Hypersquare house control modules. The concept’s steering wheel has no airbag (there is a small configurable display there); in the E-208 version, according to EVXL, its place will be taken by an airbag. The carbon buckets, cage and 816 hp are considered by outlets to be attributes of the concept itself.

When the new Peugeot 208 will be released and what platform it will be on

Peugeot did not name the premiere date of the production 208 in Paris, and sources differ:

• CarExpert: the new 208 is expected to be shown in the first half of 2027;
• Carscoops writes about a 2027 production hatchback;
• Electrifying (UK) — about the E-208 in early 2028.

The platform for the next 208 has also not been officially named. Something else has been officially announced: the first car on the new Stellantis STLA One platform will be the RCZ Vision concept, and Peugeot will be the first brand to use it. There were no dimensions, engines or prices for the production 208 at the show. The current second-generation 208 remains on sale, and the most powerful version of the range at the moment is the E-208 GTi.

For owners of the current generation, the catalogue includes accessories for Peugeot 208 2019-: mats, including separate sets for the electric version, and stainless steel chrome trims. For the first generation of 2012–2019, which we wrote about in the Peugeot 208 review, there are window deflectors.

What else they showed: RCZ Vision and Polygon

RCZ Vision brings back the RCZ coupe name, which was produced from 2009 to 2015. It is a four-seat electric 2+2 on the STLA One platform with a 1,000 V architecture and a 110 mm-thick solid-state battery developed with Factorial Energy. It claims 368 kW (about 500 hp), a range of up to 600 km, consumption of 11.5 kWh/100 km and 10–80% charging in 10 minutes. The concept also showcases a Level 2++ driver assistance system with the ability to drive hands-free in the city and outside the city. Peugeot does not talk about a production version.

Polygon, first shown in November 2025, received a dedicated area in Paris: on two simulators, visitors can try the Hypersquare steering wheel. It was Polygon that first demonstrated the rectangular steering wheel, which is now installed in both E-T16 and RCZ Vision.

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