Peugeot Revives “T16” Name For 208 Pikes Peak Challenger

Peugeot, which infamously cancelled its Le Mans Prototype program with little warning to the teams or the press, has just unveiled a challenger for the 2013 running of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

 

It’s called the 208 T16 Pikes Peak, and the name should be able to tell you all you need to know. It’s based on the 208 hatchback and has a turbocharged, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine. It’s aggressive, heavily flared body work, with huge front and rear spoilers, is pretty common of the premier PIkes Peak cars. 

 

Two of Peugeot’s most impressive rally cars have worn the "T16" badge. The brand’s Group B contender, the 205 T16, was a successful rally racer, beating stalwarts Audi and Lancia in 1985 and 1986. Peugeot’s last successful outing at Pikes Peak was with Ari Vatanen and his awesome 405 T16. Make sure to check out the included clip, for some gratuitous rally footage of Vatanen’s run.

 

The 208 T16 will be piloted by Sebastian Loeb at the 2013 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The grueling, tarmac-only event is slated to take place on June 30, with the 208 T16 running in the top-flight “Unlimited” class. So far, we only have the attached teaser gallery and preview clip. As soon as more information becomes available, we’ll post it here.