Peugeot 205
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The Peugeot 205 is a small supermini hatchback sold by Peugeot between 1983 and 1996, in 3 or 5-door bodies. Engines ranged from 954 cc to 1905 cc engine displacement, in fuel injected petrol and Diesel versions.
Peugeot205.jpg
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 worthy but dull large sedans 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.
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 13-year production run, apart from a dashboard redesign for model year 1987 and new rear light clusters for the last models.
205 production was gradually slowed down following the introduction of the joint replacement models, the 106, and 306, and eventually stopped in 1996, 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.
The 205 GTi
Pug205gti.jpg
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 1.6GTi 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 1.9GTi's XU9JA engine thus becoming XU5JA. The new engine was quoted for 115 bhp (85 kW). The 1.9GTi came with a XU9JA engine producing 130 bhp DIN (96 kW), although later models with a catalytic converter produced 121 bhp DIN (89 kW). Internally these engines are identical except for different stroke and some parts of the fuel injection system. Outside the engine bay the main differences between the 1.6GTi and the 1.9GTi are half leather seats (1.9GTi) vs. cloth seats (1.6GTi); and disc brakes all round (1.9GTi) vs. discs at the front and drum brakes at the back (1.6GTi); as well as the 14 in alloy wheels (1.6GTi) vs. 15 inch alloys (1.9GTi).
The 205 took the crown away from Volkswagen for the king of GTis, and 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 cabrio version, named the CTi, was designed by Pininfarina and was also available with the plastic arch kits as found on the GTi models.
The main aesthetic difference between the GTi/CTi versions and other 205 models were the plastic wheel arches and trim and a beefier rear bumper valance. The shell also underwent some changes, including larger wheel arches (to suit the larger wheels on the GTi and CTi).
External links
- PEUGEOT 205 GTI (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fred.brossaud/205eng/index.htm) (PDF) is a personal website with facts and details about the 205.
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 A marque of the PSA Group | Peugeot timeline, 1950s–present (edit (https://academickids.com:443/encyclopedia/index.php?title=Template:Peugeot&action=edit)) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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