The 205 GTI is considered by many, including us here at Autocar, to be one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of all time.
Peugeot has never really captured the magic of that car since it ended production in 1994, but with news that the brand still considers the GTI badge an important part of its heritage, hopes have been raised for a modern take on the formula. While hot hatch fans wait with baited breath, we're looking back at the history of the storming original.
Life for the Peugeot 205 began in 1983, when it was launched as the successor to the 104 supermini. Created to fill the gap between the 104 and the larger 305, the 205 was penned in-house by Gerard Welter with interior touches done by Paul Bracq. In its debut year, the Peugeot 205 finished runner-up in the European Car of the Year but was rightfully awarded the 1983 Car of the Year by What Car?.
The French manufacturer quickly realised the model’s sporting potential and a year later, in April 1984, released the Peugeot 205 GTi. Powered by a 105bhp 1.6-litre engine and tipping the scales at less than 900kg, it could shoot from 0-62mph in 8.7sec and had a top speed of 116mph.
The faster GTi 1.9 was launched at the end of 1986, boasting 130bhp. It was capable of completing the 0-62mph sprint in 7.8sec and boasted a top speed of 127mph. During 1986 the 1.6-litre version was also upgraded, with peak power now quoted at 115bhp.
To this day, opinion is still divided among motoring journalists as to which variant provides the better GTi experience, with some preferring the peaky power delivery of the 1.6-litre derivative and others favouring the increased torque of the 1.9. However, the Peugeot 205 GTi in either form is still comfortably regarded as one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of all time.
In 1984 Peugeot Talbot Sport - led at the time by current FIA President Jean Todt - unleashed the 205 T16 on the World Rally Championship. There were also 200 road-going examples built for homologation purposes.
Despite adopting four-wheel drive and a transverse mid-engined layout, the production T16s shared little in common with the WRC cars, and initially had less than half the power at around 200bhp. However, the 205 T16 Evo 2 changed that, coming with 450bhp and a reputed 0-60mph time of 3.3sec.
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The nicest hatchback !
The nicest hatchback !
I've learned to drive in a 205 Diesel.
It wasn't powerfull, but procured some driving pleasure.
205 rallye
In France the rallye had a bored out 1.1 which became a short stroke 1.3, with a masive carburettor, cranking 102hp at 7000rpm! Shame that wasn't available in the UK. It was cheap and a hoot with young people. Suffice to say, not many survived... Also the XS/GT had a 1.6/90hp instead of the smaller 1.4 in the UK which I guess was for tax purposes. Could easily take on an xr2 any day...
Good shout
...over and out.
What about the 309 1.9 GTi
In the 80's I worked for a Peugeot main dealer and ran both the 205 1.6 & 1.9 GTi's and loved them both, although I did prefer the 1.9's stronger low down urge.
I also ran a couple of 1.9 309 GTi's, (that's not mentioned in the article), and found them a better car than them both though, with to me the 309 1.9 GTi being a much underated car.
This 205 1.6, 1.9 or 309
The 1.9 stearing had a bit of a heaveyover the centre feel, the engine was less keen to rev and a bit gruff. Quicker in a straight line but maybe less fun to extract the max from.
The 309 GTi was a better balanced car, it seemed to use it rear wheels more generating more grip. It was possibly the quickest on a tricky road. Not such a great looker though imo compared to the 205 GTi.
All were miles better cross country than the fast Ford Escorts or Fiestas of the era - Cossies excepted. In my experience officer.