Peugeot is bringing back one of its greatest motorsport legends, but don't expect a modern take on the 205 T16 at your local dealership anytime soon. Meet the E-T16 Concept, an electric hot hatch that celebrates the original rally car while offering a glimpse into the next-generation E-208.

Unveiled on the eve of the Paris Motor Show, the radical concept marks the 40^th anniversary of the 205 T16's back-to-back World Rally Championship titles in 1985 and 1986. Developed with Peugeot Sport, the E-T16 reimagines that rally-bred spirit for the electric era, pairing a muscular body with a three-motor powertrain that produces a whopping 816 horsepower.

No, that's not a typo. That makes it Peugeot's most powerful model ever. The three electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, deliver a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2 kilograms per horsepower, an impressive figure for a car like this.

Predictably, the performance numbers are equally staggering. The electric pocket rocket accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds and reaches 186 mph (300 km/h) in just 16 seconds. Peugeot hasn't disclosed a top speed, but those acceleration figures suggest this isn't your average hot hatch.

Torque vectoring continuously adjusts power delivery between the front and rear axles and across the rear wheels, depending on available grip. Drivers can choose from three driving modes that adjust power delivery, torque distribution, and suspension settings. These include Track mode, designed to unleash the car's full potential, and a fourth mode that lets drivers customize the settings to their liking.

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