Recently, the only saving grace for the 206's sporting credibility was a World Rally Car that, in the hands of Marcus Gronholm, has made everyone else look distinctly second rate. Well, that WRC verve and character has finally spawned a road car, the new 206 GTi 180, which is even called the WR in its homeland. At first sighting, all looks well. Peugeot has eschewed the full rally-replica look of the Ford Focus RS in favor of a subtle makeover. The most obvious change is to the alloys, which now boast a diameter of 17 inches and come wrapped in 205/40R-17W Pirelli P7000s. They've been crowbarred under the wheel arches and lend the car a hunched stance that smacks of dynamic intent. The rear tailgate spoiler perpetuates this effect and is joined by chrome-plated dual exhaust pipes and carbon- fiber-effect wing mirrors.
Inside, the rally overtones are more potent. The GTi's seats have been replaced with a quartet of dramatic-looking chairs that grip like a pole dancer's thighs. Still, they cannot solve this car's awkward driving position. Taller drivers find that if the seat is in the correct position for their legs, they're unable to reach the steering wheel. The only solution is to adopt a crab-like posture. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is also tilted awkwardly away from the driver, but at least the aluminum gear knob and pedal set are sensibly cited. The cabin also comes packed with kit, including a CD autochanger, climate control and automatic headlights/wipers. It's certainly better equipped than the rival Honda Civic Type-R, but the plethora of cheap-feeling plastics belie its budget origins.
But an enthusiast with even a modicum of driving ability will be disappointed with this car. The turn-in is soft and hesitant. The steering is muted and slow-witted. Equally disappointing is the lack of throttle adjustability. Peugeots of old could be balanced on the throttle with wonderful delicacy - to the extent that if you lifted off abruptly mid-bend, the car would need a swift dose of opposite lock to stop the rear overtaking the front. In today's politically correct world, such histrionics are deemed unseemly, but by tuning out the lift-off oversteer, Peugeot has made the car clumsy and compromises its character. Peugeot's PR moguls would accuse me of missing the point. They argue that such joys are of interest only to a small band of died-in-the-wool enthusiasts and that the company has moved on from the do-or-die attitude of the 205. They'd point to the plethora of toys, the safety kit and the price tag, which, at $24,027, seems like a good value. But we still think they're wrong. An airbag and a CD autochanger don't a dull car make. Refinement need not be the enemy of fun. Just ask that Gronholm guy.
| Estimated Price: | $24,027 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Code: | EW10 J4 S |
| Type: | inline four |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Displacement: | 1997cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 85.0 x 88.0mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 11:01 |
| Claimed Crank Hp: | 180 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| Claimed Crank Torque: | 152 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm |
| Redline: | 7400 rpm |
| Drivetrain Transverse, front engine, front-wheel drive | |
| Transmission Gear Ratios | |
| 1: | 2.941 |
| 2: | 1.87 |
| 3: | 1.36 |
| 4: | 1.051 |
| 5: | 0.861 |
| Final drive: | 3.948 |
| Exterior dimensions | |
| Curb Weight : | 2425 lb |
| Weight Distribution F/R : | 64/36 |
| Overall Length: | 151.0 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 96.1 in. |
| Overall Width: | 65.9 in. (excluding wing mirrors) |
| Track F/R: | 56.6/56.1-in. |
| Height: | 56.1 in. |
| Suspension | |
| Front: | Independent, MacPherson struts, springs and dampers |
| Rear: | Independent, trailing arms and transverse torsion bars, springs and dampers |
| Brakes | |
| Front: | 283mm ventilated discs, 11.1-in. single-piston calipers |
| Rear: | 247mm solid discs, |
| Electronic driving aids/inhibitors: | ABS with EBA (Electronic Brake Assist) and EBFD (Enhanced Stability Braking System) and ASR (Anti-skid Function) and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) |
| Wheels and Tires | |
| Wheels: | 17x7-in. aluminium |
| Tires: | 225/40R-17W Pirelli P7000 |
| Performance Acceleration | |
| 0-62 mph : | 7.4 sec. |
| 0-1000 m: | 28.0 sec. |
| Max. speed (mph): | 140 |
| Fuel consumption Combined : | 32.8 mpg |
By Alistair Weaver (sportcompactcar.automotive.com)
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