40 years of the Peugeot 205: diesel version or GTI

In our latest article (read 40 years Peugeot 205: The Genesis (Part 1)), it was discovered that the Peugeot 205 was a small revolution in its design. A revolution that paid off as soon as it entered the market. This success quickly accelerated, particularly by the end of 1983. with the presentation of the Diesel version which features the new engine from the PSA group, the XUD7 with a 1769 cm³ capacity for 60 hp. The announced fuel consumption records, enabling a range of 1000 km on a full tank, are verified by journalists, including from L’Auto Journal, which undertakes the Paris – Barcelona journey on a single tank on October 17, 1983. It is the first time a car achieves such a feat. 1040 km are covered just before running out of fuel, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of 4.56 liters per 100 km. The know-how Peugeot in terms of Diesel, is being written and will conquer companies, heavy drivers, and foreign countries like Germany. More than 18% of the 205 will be equipped with this engine. Available initially in three finishes: GLD, GRD, and SRD.

A practical car, but not exciting, quite the opposite of the new version that comes to boost its success: the fabulous GTI. We have seen it in the history of the Peugeot 104 (read 50 years of the 104: the little one Peugeot shows its fangs), Peugeot begins to tame motorsport and develop sportier versions for the road with the friendly but too tame 104 ZS. Since 1975, the Golf GTI created a successful segment, joined in 1976 by the R5 Alpine (read: 50 years of the R5: it doesn't lack airThe lion can no longer stand by, and the more modern 205 is the ideal product. The 205 GTI was launched on February 16, 1984, featuring the new 1580 cc XU range engine equipped with electronic injection for 105 hp and a top speed of 190 km/h. This marked the debut of the three-door version, which would later be offered with traditional engines. With its 14-inch alloy wheels, long-range headlights, plastic wheel arch extensions, unique gauges, specific upholstery, and red carpets, it boasts an impressive appearance and appeals to many households eager to join the 80s craze for ultimate performance (12% of sales in 1985!). It was released at the right time, and the communications department, which had started modernizing its methods, produced iconic ads where the GTI races against a helicopter or a bomber shooting at it. Its specific chassis settings with a front axle with double triangulation, make it an exciting car to drive, even dangerous for the average person with its rear axle Very mobile, it can easily skid on wet roads. The ditches still remember it...

The different versions of the Peugeot 205

The lion has definitively unsheathed its claws and the 205 became the best-selling car in France in 1984, 1985, and 1990. In 1985, it held 12.85% of the French market and was exported at a rate of 53%. The millionth unit rolled off the production line at the Mulhouse factory on December 9th. Everyone loves this remarkable car, but the 205 has not been alone since the end of 1984. Its rival has been revamped under the name of Renault Supercinq that will eventually steal the spotlight between 1986 and 1989. It doesn't back down, however, by offering a slew of new versions, often limited, like the charming Lacoste, as well as new finishes (XE, XL, XR, and XT) and entirely new models with the convertible designed by Pininfarina which arrived in 1986. Based on the 3-door version, the CT convertible (1,360 cm3, 80 hp) and CTI (1,580 cm3, 115 hp) quickly gained attention with their solid construction and good road handling despite their additional 40 kg. Its roll bar improves torsional rigidity, and the GTI body kit helps to create a love at first sight, especially among young people.

The Peugeot 205 T16: queen of rallies

The rapid success of the Peugeot The 205 is partly explained by its new communication and sports programs. From the very beginning of the project, Jean Boillot advocated for making the 205 a car with a sporty image. The group then distanced itself from F1 with Talbot Ligier Matra to focus on the World Rally Championship under the supervision of Jean Todt. In 1982, rally regulations evolved with the introduction of Group B, which allowed the use of new technologies, such as four-wheel drive, and consequently, unprecedented power levels. It was the ideal championship for the 205. The program and study were launched in 1982 under the name "Project M24 Rally" which will lead to the legendary 205 T16. The engineers studied numerous technical solutions for the transmission (2 or 4-wheel drive), the engine (4 cylinders or V6), and the engine position (overhang, central, etc.). Ultimately, the competition model (Evo I) will opt for a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 365 hp in a central rear position, all-wheel drive, and a tubular chassis on which a semblance of a plastic body is placed, resembling the production 205. A beefed-up beast that, for homologation, must be offered in at least 200 road-going versions. The road version was released in 1984, featuring the same look with a detuned 1,775 cc engine producing 200 hp and 255 Nm, as well as a slightly less rustic interior. The road performance is exceptional, with 0 to 100 km/h achieved in 6.8 seconds. In competition, She shines from her entry in 1984 with three victories in the hands of Ari Vatanen.. In 1985, it evolved (Evo II) with an engine boosted to 530 hp and a more exuberant body kit. It swept everything in its path and won in 1985 and 1986 the title of world champion both for constructors and drivers with Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. The excessive power and repeated tragic accidents led the FISA to end Group B at the end of 1986. The 205 T16 was left without a category and found itself in 1987 and 1988 competing in rally raids, in a slightly adapted version, and wins both editions of the Dakar with Vatanen in 1987 and Kankkunen in 1988. It will also achieve numerous successes in rallycross in Europe and France with more than 700 hp under the hood. Finally, it participates without victory in the famous Pikes Peak race with 550 hp. A car with an incredible track record that allowed the Peugeot 205 of being an icon. Via the promotions department of Peugeot Talbot Sport offered numerous parts for the 205, particularly the GTI, so that each customer could celebrate these victories at their level. This is the case with the PTS kit on the 205 GTI, offered in 1985, which included a new camshaft, a new cylinder head, and modified valves for a power output of 125 hp.

205 Roland-Garros or 205 Multi ?

The career of the Peugeot 205 continue its journey with ever more numerous variations. The automatic transmission made its debut in 1986, special editions flooded the streets (Junior in '86, Open in '87, the desirable Roland-Garros in '89, the Indiana in '91), and the car evolved with a new dashboard in 1987 and new mirrors and wipers. It was also the year of the introduction of the new, very reliable TU engines that replaced the X engines. The engine displacements remained the same, but power increased while consumption decreased.

She plays the utility card at the end of 1985 with the 205 Multi, a three-door 205 transformed, thanks to a polyester cell, into a small utility vehicle with a tailgate by Gruau and Durisotti. The 205 F better-known, will follow in 1993 with a more classic design based on a 5-door model equipped with an extended and widened cell with lights Peugeot J9 and doors of Citroën C15 - the mythical! -.

The GTI, which contributed to its fame, offered in the catalog in 1986 the 1.6-liter with 115 hp, supported by the new 1.9-liter with 130 hp at the end of the year. The latter features new chassis settings, four disc brakes, and a gearbox with longer gear ratios.

In 1988, she is joined by the 205 Rallye intended for car racing enthusiasts at a lower cost. It was designed to be easily prepared and competitive in the N category of "under 1300 cm3." It then opted for the TU 1294 cm3 engine with two Weber carburetors, producing 103 hp. Its low weight of 865 kg, its white paint with PTS stripes, and its GTI running gear contributed to its success among sports car enthusiasts. The planned 5,000 units were greatly exceeded, with over 30,000 units produced.

The GTI dares to use color with a very rare Le Mans version, destined for the Swedish market (84 units in Miami blue), and the Claw In 1990, with 1,652 units in Fluorite green. It also dares to embrace luxury by softening its suspensions and equipping itself with a More luxurious presentation on the Gentry. It was offered from 1991 to 1994 in Sorento green or Mayfair beige to compete with the Renault Baccara.

The replacement of the Peugeot 205

Pollution standards required the installation of a catalytic converter starting in 1993, affecting performance. The decline of the 205 is beginning to be felt. The replacement of a success story is difficult to achieve and the leaders at Peugeot were cautious in trying to circumvent the problem with, on one side, a smaller car, the 106 and on the other side a bigger car, the 306. Models that will perform well and therefore compete with the 205. Additionally, customers looking for a car the size of the 205 will turn to the recent and more modern Renault Clio. The 205 declined with the discontinuation of the GTI in 1994 and the Cabriolet in 1995. By the end of 1996, the only remaining version was the 205 Generation, available with a 1.4i gasoline engine of 1,360 cm³ and a 1.8 diesel engine of 1,769 cm³.

In the meantime, the design offices have finally found a true replacement with the Peugeot 206 making its debut in September 1998, marking the definitive end of the 205. It leaves the scene after having lived a thousand lives. It has transported many people around the world, saved its manufacturer from bankruptcy, promoted the passion for motorsports and automotive enthusiasm in general, and forever won the hearts of many French people. The iconic model departs with a great reward. The 5,278,300 units make the 205 the Peugeot, the most produced at its launch. A legacy she will leave to the 206, which will also become a huge success and even the most produced French car of all time, but that is another story. Happy 205th birthday!

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