There's been nothing quite like it before or since, owners adore them, and it's a true design classic. Say hello to the Peugeot 205 GTI. If a Mk 1 Golf GTI is a classic, and most people say it is, then this car's next inline.
On its 1984 launch, nearly every other hot hatch suddenly seemed clumsy, dated or half-hearted. The pert Peugeot looked terrific (it still does), it redefined the meaning of throttle response, it scuttled round corners like a track racer, and its engine was smooth and torquey with a tastily deep and hollow exhaust note.
For staid old Peugeot to have come up with something like this was incredible. Mind you, it soon got a re****tion as a scary little monster if you lost your commitment to a fast bend. Back off suddenly, people said, and you'd be spinning backwards into the hedge. Many did, although the reality is nowhere near as dodgy as the re****tion. All you have to do is remember to unwind a smidge of steering as you decelerate, and enjoy the way the 205 communicates so talkatively with its driver.
In mid-1986 the original all-aluminum, 1580cc, 105bhp XU5J engine became the 115bhp XU5JA, thanks to a new camshaft and a revised cylinder head, and a convertible CTI joined the range. Then in 1987 we got the 130bhp 1.9, with fatter wheels, disc brakes all round, beefed up front hubs, part-leather trim and longer-legged gearing. The ratios were adjusted, with a particularly high first giving 6.2mph @ 1,000rpm, which meant a theoretical maximum speed of 43mph, and a similarly high second gear capable of propelling the car to 68mph; this took account of the 130bhp and 119lb.ft of torque. There was a small weight increase, but even so, performance figures of 7.8seconds from 0 to 60mph and a top speed of 127mph were highly impressive.
The most noticeable difference from the 1.6, apart from the interior specification (see below) and an extra 15 or 25bhp, comes from the use of the larger diameter wheels. (15inch from 14inch).
There are pros and cons to this: maneuvering is harder, but road holding is much greater. Cornering limits are higher, although the manner in which the rear end of the 1.6 can step out during heavy cornering is more gradual. The hidden benefit of having larger diameter rims is the ability to fit disc brakes all round, which is essential; in a car with 130bhp.
Although the engine may be more powerful, it was not as sweet as the 1,580cc unit, nor was it as free-revving. This is a property of a long stroke engine like the 1.9, whereas the 1.6 was slightly over square. The free-revving ability was further compromised by the gearing chosen, first and second gear ratios being appreciably higher on the 1.9. However with such a good power to weight ratio, the car would still fly. With over 40mph available in first gear and nearly 70mph in second.
The 1.9 was the quickest hot hatch away from the lights. Its 0-60mph time was quickest, too, as a result of this close-ratio gearing.
Later that year the range was revised with a more modern fascia, a new tail gate with a slimmer rear spoiler, and a revised gearbox. Special edition cars were given gray or green carpets rather than the standard loud red ones.
And that, broadly, is how the range stayed until the 1.6 faded out in 1992 and the 1.9, by now catalyzed and down on power, disappeared in 1993...............
Especificações:
http://www.pauldevaney.co.uk/public/...t/techspec.htm
Catálogo
http://www.pauldevaney.co.uk/public/...t/handbook.htm
MAGNÍFICO!!!!!!!!!!
[B)][B)][B)]
;)
On its 1984 launch, nearly every other hot hatch suddenly seemed clumsy, dated or half-hearted. The pert Peugeot looked terrific (it still does), it redefined the meaning of throttle response, it scuttled round corners like a track racer, and its engine was smooth and torquey with a tastily deep and hollow exhaust note.
For staid old Peugeot to have come up with something like this was incredible. Mind you, it soon got a re****tion as a scary little monster if you lost your commitment to a fast bend. Back off suddenly, people said, and you'd be spinning backwards into the hedge. Many did, although the reality is nowhere near as dodgy as the re****tion. All you have to do is remember to unwind a smidge of steering as you decelerate, and enjoy the way the 205 communicates so talkatively with its driver.
In mid-1986 the original all-aluminum, 1580cc, 105bhp XU5J engine became the 115bhp XU5JA, thanks to a new camshaft and a revised cylinder head, and a convertible CTI joined the range. Then in 1987 we got the 130bhp 1.9, with fatter wheels, disc brakes all round, beefed up front hubs, part-leather trim and longer-legged gearing. The ratios were adjusted, with a particularly high first giving 6.2mph @ 1,000rpm, which meant a theoretical maximum speed of 43mph, and a similarly high second gear capable of propelling the car to 68mph; this took account of the 130bhp and 119lb.ft of torque. There was a small weight increase, but even so, performance figures of 7.8seconds from 0 to 60mph and a top speed of 127mph were highly impressive.
The most noticeable difference from the 1.6, apart from the interior specification (see below) and an extra 15 or 25bhp, comes from the use of the larger diameter wheels. (15inch from 14inch).
There are pros and cons to this: maneuvering is harder, but road holding is much greater. Cornering limits are higher, although the manner in which the rear end of the 1.6 can step out during heavy cornering is more gradual. The hidden benefit of having larger diameter rims is the ability to fit disc brakes all round, which is essential; in a car with 130bhp.
Although the engine may be more powerful, it was not as sweet as the 1,580cc unit, nor was it as free-revving. This is a property of a long stroke engine like the 1.9, whereas the 1.6 was slightly over square. The free-revving ability was further compromised by the gearing chosen, first and second gear ratios being appreciably higher on the 1.9. However with such a good power to weight ratio, the car would still fly. With over 40mph available in first gear and nearly 70mph in second.
The 1.9 was the quickest hot hatch away from the lights. Its 0-60mph time was quickest, too, as a result of this close-ratio gearing.
Later that year the range was revised with a more modern fascia, a new tail gate with a slimmer rear spoiler, and a revised gearbox. Special edition cars were given gray or green carpets rather than the standard loud red ones.
And that, broadly, is how the range stayed until the 1.6 faded out in 1992 and the 1.9, by now catalyzed and down on power, disappeared in 1993...............
Especificações:
http://www.pauldevaney.co.uk/public/...t/techspec.htm
Catálogo
http://www.pauldevaney.co.uk/public/...t/handbook.htm
MAGNÍFICO!!!!!!!!!!
[B)][B)][B)]
;)
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