Peugeot finally took the wraps off their new Pikes Peak racer, the 208 T16. That T16 badge carries a lot of weight, as it’s only been on the fastest, most exciting Peugeots in history, including the 405 T16 in which Ari Vatanen claimed back-to-back victories in 1988 and 1989.

This time Peugeot hired Sebastian Loeb from sister company Citroen to pilot the 208 T16 up the famous Colorado hill, and with nine consecutive world rally championship titles to his name, he is the best candidate for the position.

The monstrous 206 Loeb will be driving up the hill features massive wings on front and rear, typical of every Pikes Peak racer. The way the air intakes and that roof scoop are located on the car suggest the 208 T16 has its engine in the middle. Peugeot has not revealed any performance numbers, but given the specs of the unlimited category, we reckon it is something in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower.

Pikes Peak: the legend in brief

• 156 corners
• Course length: 19.9 kilometres long (now entirely paved)
• Start line altitude: 2,865 metres
• Finish line altitude: 4,301 metres
• Course record: 9m46.164s (Rhys Millen, Hyundai Genesis Coupé)
• Inaugural event: 1916. This year is the 91^st edition.
• European competitors took part in the event for the first time in 1984.
• Peugeot won the event in 1988 and 1989, with Ari Vatanen and Robby Unser respectively.
• Jean-Louis Mourey’s film ‘Climb Dance’ released in 1989 tells the story of Ari Vatanen’s victory in 1988
• In 2011, Nobuhuro ‘Monster’ Tajima (Suzuki SX4) was the first driver to complete the hill climb in less than 10 minutes (9m51.278s).