Peugeot’s 208 Type R5 is a new entry in the 208 range of sports variants. It comes after the success of the 208 R2. It has been described to be a true ‘competition wildcat’. It is expected to take over from the 207 Super 2000 – the benchmark of the S2000 category because of its technical performance as well as for its sporting and commercial features. The 208 Type R5, which was announced at the end of last year, will be presented at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Peugeot's rallying tradition is evident in its contours and its technical assets. The 208 Type R5 has a ‘body built’ for asphalt (tarmac) and loose-surfaces (gravel). It’s expected to compete in its first rallies and will start selling in the second half of 2013 so that it could win the national and international championships the next season.
The 207 Super 2000 is a pioneer so it received all the awards and in fact, it holds the greatest record in the category. It has gotten six Intercontinental Rally Challenge titles, numerous trophies in different national championships and plenty more victories worldwide such as San Remo, the Tour de Corse and the Monte Carlo.
Of these vehicles, 117 have been sold, driven by private customers, importers or on behalf of Peugeot subsidiaries in the following places: South Africa, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic and in the UK. Notably, drivers such as Thierry Neuville and Kris Meeke were ‘discovered’ and sharpened their skills at this car. The 208 Type R5 will need to prove that is a commendable successor to the 207 Super 2000. The credit for the 208 Type R5 goes to its project leader Alexis Avril, who is the Technical Manager of Peugeot Sport, Bertrand Vallat, previously in-charge of the 207 S2000.
