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Rally Trophy FR6 FFSA
The new Peugeot 208 Racing made its competitive debut at the Rallye de la Côte Fleurie before being entered by four crews in the Rallye du Touquet-Pas de Calais, the first round of the 2025 French Asphalt Rally Championship. The little Lionesses reached the finish line and thrilled their drivers with their reliability and dynamic handling.
On February 19, Chris Langé received the very first Peugeot 208 Racing. Two days later, the young driver from Normandy took Peugeot Sport’s latest creation to its maiden run at the Rallye de la Côte Fleurie. For its inaugural laps in competition, the Peugeot 208 Racing showcased its performance against much more powerful cars and its reliability, finishing 45th out of 95 classified. “I was surprised by how easy it is to handle, its dynamic behavior, and its very playful character,” noted its first-time user at the finish line.
Designed by Stellantis Motorsport, the Peugeot 208 Racing aims to be an accessible and fun car, fitted with a 1.2L 3-cylinder Turbo engine delivering 145 horsepower, a six-speed manual gearbox, a reinforced chassis derived from the Peugeot 208 II, and Michelin PS 5 tires as standard. It is easy to drive, efficient, and reassuring thanks to its welded “Rally4”-type roll cage, and it is primarily intended for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
In mid-March, four Peugeot 208 Racing cars took the start at the Rallye du Touquet-Pas de Calais, the first round of the French Asphalt Rally Championship. Covering nearly 200 kilometers on roads made treacherous by unpredictable weather and the passage of more than 150 cars in the stages ahead of them, all four Peugeot 208 Racing entries reached the finish.
Tom Dufour and Robin Mercier finished 61st and 62nd overall out of 132 (36th and 37th in the two-wheel-drive category), praising the little Lioness’s agility, safety, and stability on the fast, slippery stages of the Pas-de-Calais. They also highlighted its unbeatable performance-to-running-cost ratio, as Tom Dufour used only four standard tires over the entire Rallye du Touquet-Pas de Calais.
With encouraging performances and flawless reliability in these first two events, the Peugeot 208 Racing is emerging as a true benchmark for drivers looking to learn and progress in rallying. Its low operating cost, combined with authentic driving sensations, makes it a smart choice for competitors seeking a high-performance yet accessible vehicle.
The adventure is only just beginning for the Peugeot 208 Racing. Upcoming competitive appearances—such as the four rounds of the SMRC6 (Rallye des Vosges, Rallye du Mont-Blanc, Rallye Cœur de France, and Rallye du Var) and the Rally Trophy FR6 FFSA organized by the FFSA across 32 rallies in mainland France and overseas—will further confirm the full potential of this new generation of rally cars by Peugeot Sport.