Peugeot 205
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| Peugeot 205 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Peugeot |
| Production: | 1983-1998 5.3 million units |
| Class: | Supermini |
| Body Styles: | FF 5-Door hatchback 3-Door hatchback Convertible |
| Predecessors: | Peugeot 104 |
| Successors: | Peugeot 206 |
| Competitors: | Citroën AX Fiat Uno Ford Fiesta Renault 5 Volkswagen Polo |
The Peugeot 205 is a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1983 and 1998. It is one of the most representative hatchbacks of the 1980s.
History
Widely regarded as a modern classic, the 205 is often credited as the car which turned Peugeot's fortunes around. Before the 205, Peugeot was considered the most conservative of France's "big three" car manufacturers, producing worthy but dull large sedans such as the 504 and 505. The genesis of the 205 lay within Peugeot's takeover in 1978 of Simca, which had the necessary expertise in making small cars. Early 205s used the "Douvrin" engine from the older Peugeot 104, although these were later replaced with the newer XU and TU-series engines, which were of PSA design. Engines ranged from 954 cc to 1905 cc engine displacement, in carburettor or fuel injected petrol and diesel versions.
The Diesel models employed the XUD7 PSA Diesel Engine, lifted from the Citroen BX which was introduced in 1982. This XUD7 engine has a capacity of 1,769cc and is closely related to the XU5 and XU9 petrol engines in the BX16 and BX19 of the time respectively, as well as the engines later used in the 205GTi 1.6 and Automatic (also 1.6) and GTi 1.9 respectively (other Peugeot/Citroen [PSA] products, such as the 305 and Talbot Horizon as well as the BX, used the XUD9 Diesel engine of 1,905cc - the same capacity as the 205GTi 1.9 and Citroen BX19 petrol engined models). The XUD7 (and XUD9) Diesel Engines were world-beating and so petrol-like that many buyers were won over by the petrol car performance plus the diesel economy. The 205GRD (1.8 Diesel, 59bhp, 78lb/ft), for instance, was as fast yet smoother than the 205GR (1.4 Petrol, 59bhp,78lb/ft - yup, same figures but the diesel was torquier lower down) while using much less fuel (I got 55mpg from a 205XLD, my dad got 39mpg from a 205GR 10 years earlier)!
In the early '90s, the 205 DTurbo was announced, with 205XS (3 door) bodywork, wheels and interior and less Instruments but an 80bhp turbocharged XUD7 engine (it seemed that the DTurbo models in PSA models used the XUD7 engine and not the XUD9!). Road tests were very positive! From such humble roots eventually grew the 306DTurbo as a specific 'sporty model'.
The 205 was an instant hit, and the styling parameters that it set were echoed in every Peugeot model that was to follow. Incredibly, the styling was never face lifted or altered once in its 15-year production run, apart from a dashboard redesign for model year 1988 1/2 and a face lift in late 1990 gave the 205 new door design and cards, clear front indicators new rear lights SPI and Catalytic converters introduced.
205 production was gradually slowed down following the introduction of the joint replacement models, the 106, and 306, and eventually stopped in 1998, but amid pressure from the market, the company finally built a direct replacement in the 206, which was launched in 1998. Over 5,278,000 Peugeot 205s have been produced.
Versions
The 205 had a rather unusual trim level scheme for its models; three-door models (apart from the GTi) were badged 'X' and five-door models were badged 'G'.
Trim levels were:
- XE, available with:
- 1.0 L gasoline I4 - 44 bhp, 954 cc
- 1.1 L gasoline I4 - 50 bhp
Five-door versions were badged GE
- XL, available with:
- 1.0 L gasoline I4 - 44 bhp
- 1.1 L gasoline I4 - 50 bhp
- 1.8 L diesel I4 - 81 bhp
- 1.6 L gasoline I4 - 90 bhp Automatic
Five-door versions were badged GL (Note: The 1.0 GL was not offered in the UK). The 1.8 GLD diesel model was popular, and What Car? magazine recommended it as a Used Car Buy in August 1992.
- XR, available with:
- 1.1 L gasoline I4 - 50 bhp
- 1.4 L gasoline I4 - 59 bhp, 1360 cc
- 1.6 L gasoline I4
- 1.8 L diesel I4 - 81 bhp
Five-door versions were badged GR. The 1.6 GR was a five-door version only, launched in 1986. A 1.6 XR three-door was also available, 1991-92.
- XT, available with:
- 1.4 L gasoline I4 - 80 bhp
The five-door version was badged GT but this was not a true hot hatch.
- XS, available with:
- 1.4 L gasoline I4 - 90 bhp
From 1994, the X/G trim scheme was replaced by Mardi Gras, Colorline, Forever and Accent. GT versions were now offered only on the Continent with a 1.6-litre engine; the UK models were badged Mardi Gras. However, GTi versions continued unchanged.
High performance variants
205 GTi
The GTi versions came in either 1.6 or 1.9 litre configuration, and are considered to be among the most popular hot hatches of the era. Compared to modern cars they are difficult to handle but offer a very rewarding driving experience when mastered.
The 1.6GTi came with a XU5J engine, producing 105 bhp DIN (77 kW), for the 1987 model year the XU5J received the cylinder head with larger valves from the 1.9GTi's XU9JA engine thus becoming XU5JA. The new engine was quoted for 115 bhp (85 kW). The 1.9GTi came with a XU9JA engine producing 130 bhp DIN (96 kW), although later models with a catalytic converter produced 122 bhp DIN (89 kW). Internally these engines are very similar, the main differences on 1.9 litre versions being the longer stroke, oil cooler, and some parts of the fuel injection system. The shorter stroke 1.6 litre engine is famed for being revvy and eager, while the 1.9 litre feels lazier and torquier. Outside the engine bay the main differences between the 1.6GTi and the 1.9GTi are half leather seats (1.9GTi) vs. cloth seats (1.6GTi); and disc brakes all round (1.9GTi) vs. discs at the front and drum brakes at the back (1.6GTi); as well as the 14 inch alloy wheels (1.6GTi) vs. 15 inch alloys (1.9GTi).
The 205 is still mentioned to this day in group car tests of the newest GTI models or equivalent. Peugeot itself has never truly recreated this success in future GTi models. A cabrio version, known as the CJ (or CT in France), was designed and partily assembeled by Pininfarina of Italy. A CTi version, with the same plastic arches and wheels as the 1.6 GTi was also available. Some later models incorporated the catalysed 1.9 engine.
The main aesthetic difference between the GTi/CTi versions and other 205 models were the plastic wheel arches and trim, beefier front and rear bumper valances. The shell also underwent some minor changes, including larger wheel arches (to suit the larger wheels on the GTi and CTi), and the suspension was redesigned and sat lower on the GTi.
With the early success of the 205 GTi in Europe, Motor Trend reported in 1984 that Peugeot was seriosuly considering adding it to its. U.S. lineup, even though Peugeot had a more upmarket image in the United States. Nothing ever came of such rumors, however, and any talk of Peugeot expanding its presence in U.S. became moot when it was forced to pull out in 1991.
Sales of the GTi in the early 1990s were badly hit by soaring insurance premiums, brought about by high theft and 'joyriding' of cars of this sort. Increasingly stringent emissions regulations meant the 1.6GTi went out of production in 1992, while the 1.9 was sold for a couple more years thanks to re-engineering of the engine to enable it to work properly with a catalytic converter.
205 Rallye
From 1988 to 1992 Peugeot produced another variant of the 205, the 205 Rallye, which was engineered and produced by Peugeot-Talbot sport. This edition of the 205 was positioned as a cost effective alternative to the 205 GTI, retaining its sporty character, but being less expensive to buy or maintain.
To achieve this, Peugeot used a derivative of the TU-series engine used in the post-1987 205's, which was designated TU2.4. The engine is essentially the same engine as was in the 1.1 litre 205 with the cylinders drilled out to a total engine displacement of 1294 cc, a sports camshaft and twin Weber carburetors. While only a 1.3 litre engine, it still produced 103 bhp DIN (76 kW) at no less than 6800 rpm. The car got the 1.9 GTI front suspension with ventilated brake discs, and the 1.6 GTI rear axle with drum brakes.
The 205 Rallye was completely stripped of almost all soundproofing, electrical systems or other luxury items, bringing down the weight to no more than 794 kg. Its minimalistic equipment, together with the high revs needed to unleash all of the engine's horsepower gives the 205 Rallye a very spartan character and makes it a difficult but rewarding car to drive hard, which is one of the reasons it is now very popular among 205 GTI enthusiasts. Around 30,000 Rallyes were produced, and they were only sold in some countries on the European mainland (at least in France, Belgium and The Netherlands). This, together with the fact that a lot of these cars have been wrecked because it is a difficult (and for some drivers even dangerous) car to drive makes the 205 Rallye a very rare car nowadays. It is almost impossible to buy one in good shape anymore because Rallye owners now tend to hold on to their cars, knowing it will be a classic in the not too distant future.
The distinctive aesthetic features of the 205 Rallye include the squarer wheel arches (which are different to GTI arches), the steel body-coloured wheelrims and the rainbow colored Peugeot-Talbot sport decals on the front grille and the tailgate. They were only available in white and yellow. The Rallye was sold with a reduced-weight interior with the Peugeot-Talbot sport logo embroidered in the front chairs.
From 1990 to 1992 Peugeot also built a 1.9 litre version of the 205 Rallye. Only about 1000 of them were produced and they were only sold in Germany, because the 1.3 version did not meet German road regulations. The 1.9 Rallye is just a 105 bhp 1.9 GTI with the Rallye bodyshell and the new-style clear indicators and rear light units. Although they are even rarer than the 1.3 Rallye, they are less popular among Peugeot enthusiasts, because they lack the raw and spartan character of the 1.3 Rallye and are 150 kg heavier.
After the 205 Rallye, Peugeot again used the 'Rallye' designation for some of its 106 and 306 models. Peugeot also released a Rallye version of the 205 in Great-Britain, and used a 75 bhp TU3.2 engine
205 T16
To homologate the 205 T16 Group B rally car, Peugeot had to produce 200 road-going examples. A photograph showing the 200 cars was famously rumoured to be a fake. The road variants shared the transverse mid-engine, four-wheel drive layout of the rally car, but had much less power, at around 200 PS (147 kW). The T was for Turbo; the 16 for the 16 valves that the 4-cylinder 1.8 L engine had.
Outwardly similar to a normal 205, the T16 had wider wheel arches, and the whole rear section lifted up to give access to the engine. Underneath, the complex drivetrain from the rally car was kept to abide by the Group B rules. All 200 built were left-hand drive, so few reached the United Kingdom, where only 4 are known to exist. Unlike Group B rivals Ford Motor Company (with the RS200) and Lancia, Peugeot's road-based cars were never raced.
Other variants
Peugeot produced some limited edition 205 GTI models over the car's life.
In 1990, 600 GTi's were made in the then new colours of Miami blue (see photo above) and Sorrento Green (a very dark metallic green). The cars were made in an equal mix of 150 blue 1.6, 150 green 1.6, 150 blue 1.9 and 150 green 1.9.
The Griffe was a limited edition for mainland europe, and was sold in France, Germany and the Netherlands. It was bright green ('Laser' Green), and had grey carpet, ABS, dark grey anodised alloy wheels with a silver rim, and full black leather interior. Approximately 3,000 Griffes were made, and though never officially sold here, two to three are believed to have made it to the UK.
The 1FM was produced in 1992 to coincide with the 25th birthday of Radio 1. Only 25 were made, and each car was individually numbered with a small brass plate. Every one was black and had dark grey anodised alloy wheels with a silver rim. The car had every extra as standard including ABS, air conditioning, catalytic converter, full black leather interior, PAS and immobiliser. A special stereo system including a CD changer and an acoustic rear shelf was designed by Clarion especially for this car. The car had unique 'Radio 1' badging, and Radio 1 ran a competition on air to win one. When new the car cost over £17k, but then £5k of this went to a music charity.
Statistics
Peak year for GTI derivatives was 1988, taking over 20% of 205 UK sales. During 1991 the 205 range accounted for 3.08% of all UK registrations.
In 1994 the last 205 Gti's rolled off production lines and only 8 were made.
Totals are the following for the limited editions that were available in the UK: 1990 - 600 Miami Blue 'Limited Edition' (300 1.6; 300 1.9) 1990 - 600 Sorrento Green 'Limited Edition' (300 1.6; 300 1.9) 1992/3 - 408 '205 Gentry models' 1992/3 - 25 'Radio 1FM' models
Global statistics
Total GTI production: 332,942 Total Cabriolet production: 72,125 Total T16 production: 241
Total 205 production to the end of 1996: 5,153,369
External links
- 205 Gti Drivers The definitative online resource for all Peugeot 205 GTI drivers. (UK)
- 205 Gti Drivers Forum The forum on the 205GTIDrivers website, get expert knowledge from other 205 owners - essential for any 205 owner. (UK)
- Mac's Peugeot Site
- Club205 España Spanish 205 Club/Forum. Under Construction, the Forum is operative. Aún en estado embrionario, continuará creciendo. (Spain)
- PSOOC The site of the UK Peugeot Sports Official Owners' Club. (UK)
- PEUGEOT 205 GTI (PDF) is a personal website with facts and details about the 205. (French)
- Generation 205 The site of the Peugeot 205. (France)
- Jeans205 The site of the 205 Junior and CJ. (France)
- STDT.net The limited edition 205 STDT Turbo Diesel. (UK)
- peugeot205.pl The best polish fan site about 205. (Poland)
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