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The 'Peugeot 205' is a supermini produced by the French car manufacturer Peugeot between 1983 and 1996. It is probably one of the most representative hatchback vehicles of the 1980s.

Contents

History

Range

Versions

High performance variants

205 GTI

Special 205 GTI editions

205 Rallye

205 T16

Statistics

Global statistics

External links

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 large saloons 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 carburetor or fuel injected petrol and diesel versions.
The diesel models employed the XUD7 PSA Diesel engine, lifted from the Citroën BX which was introduced in 1982. This XUD7 engine has a capacity of 1769 cc 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 205 GTI 1.6 and Automatic (also 1.6) and GTI 1.9 respectively (other Peugeot/Citroën [PSA] products, such as the 305 and Talbot Horizon as well as the BX, used the XUD9 Diesel engine of 1905 cc — the same capacity as the 205 GTI 1.9 and Citroën BX 19 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 combined with the diesel economy. The 205 GRD (1.8 Diesel, 59 bhp, 78 lb ft), for instance, was as fast yet smoother than the 205 GR (1.4 Petrol, 59 bhp, 78 lb ft), due to the engine developing peak torque at much lower rpm, while using much less fuel.
In the early 1990s, the 205 DTurbo was announced, with the 205 XS three-door bodywork, wheels and interior and less instruments but an 80 bhp turbocharged non intercooled XUD7 engine (it seemed that the DTurbo models in PSA models used the XUD7 engine and not the XUD9!). Road tests were very positive! There was though a significant increase in fuel consumption over the normally aspirated diesel. The introduction of the XUD9 intercooled turbo diesel by PSA in the Citroen ZX and Peugeot 405 took diesel performance and refinement to another level. The ZX Volcane intercooled turbo diesel is reckoned by many to be the first true diesel 'hot hatch'. (From such roots eventually grew the 306 DTurbo 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 the 1988 model year 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, and a large percentage of them are still in circulation as of 2007.

Range

MODEL TYPE	BODY STYLE	PRODUCED	ENGINE TYPE	FUEL	TRANSMISSION
205 Junior	3-door Hatchback	1986–1990	4-cyl 954cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Junior	5-door Hatchback	1987–1989	4-cyl 954cc	Petrol	Manual
205 XE	3-door Hatchback	1985–1991	4-cyl 954cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Base	5-door Hatchback	1983–1984	4-cyl 954cc	Petrol	Manual
205 GE	5-door Hatchback	1984–1985	4-cyl 945cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Look	3-door Hatchback	1989–1990	4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Style	3-door Hatchback	1990–1993	4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Style	5-door Hatchback	1990–1993	4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 XL	3-door Hatchback	1985–1988 1984–1991	4-cyl 954cc 4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 XL Automatic	3-door Hatchback	1990–1993	4-cyl 1580cc	Petrol	Automatic
205 GL	5-door Hatchback	1983–1993	4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Rallye	3-door Hatchback	1987–1992	4-cyl 1294cc	Petrol	Manual
205 XR	3-door Hatchback	1984–1988 1990–1992 1988–1990	4-cyl 1124cc 4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 GR	5-door Hatchback	1983–1991 1990–1991	4-cyl 1360cc 4-cyl 1124cc	Petrol	Manual
205 SR	5-door Hatchback	1987–1989	4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Automatic	5-door Hatchback	1986–1994	4-cyl 1580cc	Petrol	Automatic
205 XT	3-door Hatchback	1992–1994	4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 XS	3-door Hatchback	1986–1992	4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 GT	5-door Hatchback	1983–1987 1989–1993	4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Roland Garros	3-door Hatchback	1989–1990	4-cyl 1360cc	Petrol	Manual
205 GTi	3-door Hatchback	1984–1992 1986–1993	4-cyl 1580cc 4-cyl 1905cc	Petrol	Manual
205 CTi	2-door Softtop	1985–1992 1986–1992	4-cyl 1580cc 4-cyl 1905cc	Petrol	Manual
205 Style Diesel	3-door Hatchback	1990–1993	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual
205 Style Diesel	5-door Hatchback	1990–1993	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual
205 XLD	3-door Hatchback	1984–1993	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual
205 GLD	5-door Hatchback	1983–1993	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual
205 GRD	5-door Hatchback	1983–1992	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual
205 Diesel Turbo	5-door Hatchback	1990–1992	4-cyl 1769cc	Diesel	Manual

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 petrol, 4-cylinder - 44 bhp, 954 cc

★ 1.1 petrol, 4-cylinder - 50 bhp
Five-door versions were badged 'GE'

★ 'XL', available with:

★ 1.0 petrol, 4-cylinder - 44 bhp, 954 cc

★ 1.1 petrol, 4-cylinder - 50 bhp

★ 1.8 diesel 4-cylinder - 60 bhp

★ 1.6 petrol, 4-cylinder - 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. It was also a ''Which?'' magazine best buy for five years running in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was, (and is as a used buy), a better car than the 106 diesel that replaced it.

★ 'XR', available with:

★ 1.1 petrol, 4-cylinder - 50 bhp

★ 1.4 petrol, 4-cylinder - 59 bhp, 1360 cc

★ 1.6 petrol

★ 1.8 diesel - 60 bhp
Five-door versions were badged 'GR'. The 1.4 GR was a five-door version only, launched in 1986. A 1.4 XR three-door was also available, 1991-92.

★ 'XT', available with:

★ 1.4 petrol 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 - 75/80 bhp

★ 1.6 L (1580CCM) gasoline
From 1994, the X/G trim scheme was replaced by ''Mardi Gras'', ''Colorline'', ''Forever'' and ''Accent''. 'GT' versions were now offered only in Continental Europe 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 1.6 GTI 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 1.9 GTI's XU9JA engine thus becoming XU5JA. The new engine was quoted for 115 bhp (85 kW). The 1.9 GTI came with a XU9JA engine producing 128 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 1.6 GTI and the 1.9 GTI are half-leather seats (1.9 GTI) vs. cloth seats (1.6 GTI); and disc brakes all-round (1.9 GTI) vs. discs at the front and drum brakes at the back (1.6 GTI); as well as the 14 inch alloy wheels (1.6 GTI) vs. 15 inch alloys (1.9 GTI).
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 cabriolet version, known as the CJ (or CT in France), was designed and partily assembled 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 stiffer springs, different wishbones and a drop-linked arb.
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 rumours, 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.

Special 205 GTI editions

Peugeot produced some limited edition 205 GTI models over the car's life.
In 1990, 600 GTIs 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 cars had power steering and full grey leather interior as standard, together with grey carpets.
The Gentry was a limited edition with all-leather interior, 105 bhp 1.9 engine and some other extras. Gentries came in the color Sorrento Green and in dark grey.
The Griffe was a special 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 there, 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, power steering and remote central locking. 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.

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 205s, which was designated TU24. The engine is essentially the same engine as was in the 1.1-litre 205 with the cylinders bored 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, Spain 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-coloured 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 ("Turbo 16" in France) 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.

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 rolled off production lines and only 8 were made.
Totals are the following for the limited editions that were available in the UK:

★ 1990 - 300 Miami Blue 'Limited Edition' (150 1.6; 150 1.9)

★ 1990 - 300 Sorrento Green 'Limited Edition' (150 1.6; 150 1.9)

★ 1992/3 - 408 '205 Gentry models'

★ 1992/3 - 25 'Radio 1FM' models

★ 1990/1 - 150 Roland Garros cabriolets and 350 Roland Garros hard tops, with a 1.4 "xs" engine with 85 bhp, alloy wheels, half-white leather seats, electric windows, central locking, cabriolet hard electric roofs.

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 - An online resource for all Peugeot 205 GTI drivers

★ Peugeot GTi Club - UK's Peugeot GTi Club. Est 2000.

★ UK Peugeot Sports Official Owners' Club

★ Unofficial 205 Roland Garros Website

★ Mac's Peugeot Site

★ Club205 España Spanish 205 Club (under construction, only the forum is operative)

★ Peugeot 205 GTI - A personal website with facts and details about the 205

★ Generation 205 - The website of the Peugeot 205

★ STDT.net - A website dedicated to the limited edition 205 STDT Turbo Diesel

★ peugeot205.pl - A polish fan website about 205

★ Peugeot 205 XS Home Page The biggest English site dedicated to the Peugeot 205 XS

★ 205 Central English site with lots of technical info on the 205 models

★ The 205 Challenge - The English one-make low-cost rally championship; the largest one-make championship in the world

★ Brick and Steel 205 Ecosse Challenge - Scottish one-make low-cost rally championship that uses the Peugeot 205 GTI