New Peugeot 206 GT celebrates re-entry into WRC rallying

Over a decade after twice winning the world rally championship, Peugeot is returning to the sport with its dramatic looking 206 WRC (World Rally Car). The 206 WRC will have its first outing in the Corsican rally (Tour de Corse) starting today (7 May 1999). The 206 WRC uses many components derived from the road car including the main structure, front chassis and suspension, engine block and cylinder head, as instructed by WRC regulations, but is significantly different in reality. For instance, power output from the 2.0-litre 16 valve engine has been increased to 300 bhp with maximum torque of 500 Nm, and all four wheels are driven through a six-speed sequential gearbox! Now that would be some GTi

The 206 WRC�s debut in the Tour de Corse marks Peugeot�s return to a sport in which it has previously excelled. In the �80s, the 205 T16 dominated, scoring world rally championship victories in 1985 and 1986 and was twice winner of the Paris-Dakar endurance rally in 1987 and 1988. This success continued in the early �90s for the 405 T16 and more recently the 306 Maxi carried off two French rally championships and achieved second place on the famous Monte Carlo rally.

To comply with international rallying regulations Peugeot will be building a total of 4,000 (minimum required 2,500) road cars to the same overall dimensions of the 206 WRC. These dramatic metallic silver cars will be badged 206 Grand Tourisme (GT) and will be powered by Peugeot�s new 137bhp 2.0-litre 16 valve petrol engine soon to be introduced in the 206 GTi, driving through a 5-speed manual gearbox and bespoke 9-spoke, 16 inch alloy wheels. Peugeot claim that the 206 GT can accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.9 secs. and is capable of 129 mph. Not terribly impressive next to the WRC version with its 300bhp, but still quick enough on the road.

Body coloured wheel arch extensions, new bigger fibreglass reinforced bumpers and a machined aluminium fuel filler cap emphasise the car�s more sporting character. Inside, the competition theme is continued with leather trimmed sports seats, a three spoke sports steering wheel, aluminium accelerator pedal and a unique metal finish instrument cluster. Standard equipment includes automatic air conditioning, rain sensing windscreen wipers, RDS radio and CD player with remote digital display and side airbags.

Only 600 right hand drive cars will be built from the total of 4000. Each car will be authenticated with an aluminium plate bearing a serial number located on the door pillar. The 206 GT will go into production at Peugeot�s UK plant near Coventry in June and will be available to buy at a price of �15,695 on the road here in the UK.

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