Peugeot Unveils 816bhp E-T16 Electric Hyperhatch Concept
Paying homage to the 1980s 205 T16 rally legend, the concept boasts staggering performance figures and a modern electric powertrain.
Peugeot has unveiled the E-T16 Concept, a high-performance electric car concept inspired by the brand's iconic 1980s 205 T16 rally car. The modern interpretation boasts an output of 816 horsepower from three electric motors and all-wheel drive, making it the most powerful road-going Peugeot developed to date.
The E-T16 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and can reach 186 mph from a standstill in just 16 seconds. This performance is a significant leap from the original 1980s 205 T16, which produced 197 horsepower from its turbocharged 1.8-liter petrol engine.
The concept car was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 205 T16's back-to-back World Rally Championship titles in 1985 and 1986. The original model, a "homologation special" road car, was produced in limited numbers to meet competition regulations. Today, these street-legal variants can command prices upwards of £300,000.
The E-T16 features a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2 kilograms per horsepower, placing it in supercar territory. Peugeot has engineered the concept for sustained high-performance driving, incorporating side cooling technology for the battery pack, similar to that used in motorsport. The company claims the E-T16 can complete three laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, over 60 kilometers, without power reduction.
Drivers can select from three dedicated driving modes, including a track-focused setting and a custom mode for tailoring powertrain, suspension, and torque distribution. The car retains rally-inspired features such as a vertically mounted hydraulic handbrake, performance tires, and large 380mm brake discs.
Visually, the E-T16 sports heavily flared wheelarches, large air vents, a sculpted bonnet, significant diffusers, and a prominent rear wing, exaggerating the aggressive stance of the original. The exterior is finished in Winchester Matte Grey, a nod to the original T16's color, with a red illuminated line echoing the classic model's pinstripe.
Inside, the concept features a 21-inch curved display and Peugeot's upcoming Hypersquare steering wheel. The cabin materials, including carbon fiber and anodized aluminum, reflect the stripped-back nature of the original 205 T16, complemented by deep bucket seats. A red theme extends throughout the interior, including the roll cage and roof lining.
Despite its performance focus, the E-T16 is designed with practicality in mind, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture and an 85kWh battery pack, providing a claimed range of 248 miles. Charging from 10 to 80 percent is said to take under 15 minutes with a sufficiently powerful charger.
Peugeot has not confirmed if the E-T16 will move from concept to production. However, the precedent set by Renault with its R5 3e Turbo, which evolved from concept to limited production, suggests the possibility. The E-T16 concept indicates Peugeot's willingness to leverage its motorsport heritage for future electrified models.
Peugeot also presented the RCZ Vision concept, an electric coupe based on the sportscar nameplate discontinued in 2015. This concept utilizes a 1,000-volt architecture and solid-state battery, offering an estimated 373 miles of range and a 10-minute 10-80 percent charge time. Both concepts incorporate the steer-by-wire Hypersquare controller and brake-by-wire technology.