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All Torque! |
by Murph |
Take my breath away? (Peugeot 206 GTi) |
| Recent Peugeot adverts have used the song which gave credence to a range which includes the 406 Coupe, 306 GTi6 and the 106 GTi. The one everyone was waiting for was the replacement for famous 205 GTi - yes the 206 GTi. Apologies If you have lost the plot with the numerics! In the heyday of the hot hatch the 205 GTi was a serious contender in both 1.6 and 1.9 guises competing with the Golf GTi, Renault 5 Turbo and Fiesta XR2i. The 206GTi is the hot hatch for the millennium. Or is it? |
| Powered by a new engine (the EW10 J4) - a 1997cc 16 valve four pot unit producing 137bhp at 6000rpm - not as much punch as its predecessor. Overall the car is as cute as the standard 206 but not as "GTi" looking as it could be. The front spoiler is a little deeper and there are larger front foglights than in the standard model but there is no additional styling to sides. At the rear there is a modest spoiler to the top of the tailgate and a larger shiny tailpipe (oh wow!). The centre foglight from the rest of the 206 family is carried over. I like this as I think it's rather like an F1 car, having it placed in the middle of the rear. Apart from the 5 spoke 15 inch alloy wheels that's all that says that this is a GTi. |
Photograph provided by Peugeot UK |
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The engine produces a top speed of 130mph with a 0-62mph of 8.4secs. Not bad until you remember that the old 1.9 GTi reaches it in 7.8secs. Ride and handling has been much improved, though, with strengthening and stiffening at each corner to complement a well balanced
chassis. Much of the suspension tweeks have been developed on the 306 Maxi Rally. Bringing you to a halt are 266mm vented discs at the front and 247mm solid discs at the rear aided by standard ABS. Power steering and a rather hesitant 5-speed transmission give further support to a competent and agile drive.
In the cabin the seats are functional but there is no supportive bolstering for enthusiastic cornering, something one would expect from this badge. A 3-spoke sports steering wheel, alloy pedals and gear knob add a little sportiness to the otherwise dull cabin. The instrument panel does receive some new dials to compensate too. On sale in June for approx. �15,000, I'm not convinced that 205 GTi drivers
will find that the 206 GTi is a true replacement for a car which had much more character. It's a fun car but will not take my breath away.
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Photograph provided by Peugeot UK |
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