“With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to create a new motoring icon,” noted Peugeot’s Range Director Laurent Blanchet at the model’s launch. “The 208 carries over the spirit of the 205 and the 206, plus the functionality of the 207 in a thoroughly modern package,” added Xavier Peugeot, the brand’s Product Director. Through the livery of the R2 version’s livery, Peugeot’s stylists have sought to mark the launch of the 208’s competition line-up by highlighting the model’s emotional appeal and resolutely modern lines.
The 208 R2 will appear in this livery when it serves as ‘zero’ car for next week’s Tour de Corse (May 10-12), the fourth round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rallye Challenge. Regular Peugeot Sport driver Stéphane Sarrazin and co-driver Benjamin Veillas, will drive the hot hatch ahead of the field at the French event before staying on in Corsica for a week of testing after the rally.