Peugeot pulled out of endurance racing earlier this year, citing costs, but now it’s back in motorsport…and back with the new 208 supermini. The 208 R2 is the first of three competition cars due to come from Peugeot Sport, based on the 208. It’ll get its first run out at this month’s Tour de Corse in France.

The forthcoming versions are a circuit car based on this R2, and a fully fledged R5 rally car, which will succeed the 207 Super 200 car for next season.

Peugeot says that the 208 R2 is “affordable and competitive,” and “stands out as the ideal choice for those who want to get their first taste of rallying or simply enjoy their passion.”

It costs £30,500 in kit form, or £46,700 fully built. Not bad at all.

It improves on its 207-based predecessor in every way, as you’d expect. It’s 40kg lighter, but has a longer wheelbase and lower centre of gravity for better stability.

It features a brand new 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, based on the 1.6-litre VTi engine that will come in the road car, but with 185bhp here. It’s linked to an all-new five-speed manual sequential gearbox, with a column shift.

The steering is hydraulic and the dampers are adjustable three ways, while the tyres were developed specifically for the car by Michelin.