One of the reasons why the 208 GTi is such a praise-worthy little hot hatch has to do with its engine, and while Peugeot has a history of making good sporty motors, the one powering their latest hot hatch isn’t completely their own; it was co-developed with BMW and can be found under the bonnet of the Bavarians’ own MINI.
The deal with PSA was set up in 2002, and it’s set to expire in 2016. Now, Bloomberg reports that it may not be extended further, as BMW already has its own line of three-cylinder low capacity petrol engines to use, and the French auto group’s decision to collaborate with General Motors reportedly pushed them even further away.
No official news on the matter made their way to the surface, and the sources who provided what little information there is, chose to remain anonymous.
In other news, French publication Les Echos announced that Peugeot was planning on replacing its familiar 1.4- and 1.6-liter diesel engines with new lower-emissions variants, which apparently go by the name DV-R. The plan is to start rolling them out throughout the range over the course of two years, beginning in 2017 – initial investment in the program will amount to €60 / $79 million.
By Andrei Nedelea
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