Peugeot Reveals 816-hp E-T16 Concept Inspired by Group B Legend

Peugeot has unveiled the E-T16 Concept, an all-electric prototype inspired by the legendary 205 T16 rally icon. Created to mark the 40th anniversary of the car that secured the World Rally Championship manufacturers' titles in 1985 and 1986, the project was developed by Peugeot designers in collaboration with Peugeot Sport. Alongside celebrating the brand's Group B rally heritage, the concept also previews styling cues for the next-generation E-208 under the "Feline Future" design direction.

The prototype features aggressive proportions with pronounced wheel arches, large aerodynamic intakes, a wide rear diffuser, and a rear wing. In a direct nod to the original mid-engine homologation special, the rear section of the body lifts upward to expose its mechanical layout, while the side air intake ahead of the rear wheel now houses the charging port and door release. The exterior is accented with the historic red perimeter striping familiar from the classic 205 T16.

Power comes from a tri-motor electric powertrain—one motor on the front axle and two at the rear—delivering a combined output of 816 hp and achieving a power-to-weight ratio below 2 kg/hp. According to Peugeot, it stands as the most powerful vehicle in the company's history. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 2.5 seconds, reaching 300 km/h in 16 seconds. Power delivery is managed via an active torque vectoring setup, with selectable driving profiles including a dedicated Track mode.

Designed to handle hard track running, the chassis is fitted with 380 mm brake discs, a vertical hydraulic handbrake, and Michelin tires measuring 275 mm wide at the front and 315 mm at the rear. A proprietary "Side Cooling" system cools the battery cells directly through their side walls, allowing the prototype to complete three consecutive laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife—over 60 kilometers—in Performance mode without thermal throttling. The 85 kWh, 800-volt battery pack targets an everyday range of up to 400 km WLTP, with a 10 to 80 percent fast charge time under 15 minutes.

Inside, the cabin features a track-focused setup equipped with carbon fiber shell bucket seats, anodized aluminum trim, a 21-inch panoramic HD display, and Peugeot's steer-by-wire Hypersquare control wheel featuring lap timing readouts. While the E-T16 Concept is strictly a concept car with no serial production planned, it serves as a technical showcase for Peugeot Sport's electric performance and track-oriented engineering.