The Peugeot 205

Introduction

The Peugeot 205 is the car that saved the Peugeot / Citroen / Talbot empire. It was introduced to the UK in 1983, the same year as the Mark Two Fiesta, but the Peugeot offered much more to would-be buyers. It proved to be a very popular little car, but lost out to the Fiesta in sales because it was rather more expensive.

Peugeot gave the 205 a little nip and tuck in 1988 and these later cars (the mark two) are better built. However, the cosmetic differences between the earlier and later ones are very hard to spot for most people.

Engines

The basic model 205 came with a 950cc petrol engine and four forward gears. I’m quite certain that this engine (Peugeot sold it as a 1·0) was changed during the car’s lifetime and I have only tried a later model, but it is rough, noisy and unrefined. It is one to avoid: the 1·1 is a much better option.

The 1·1 litre donk is still used today in the 106 and Citroen Saxo. Again, the original design was replaced during the model’s lifetime and it is the later TU donk that is the one to have. In later incarnation, it’s smooth, reasonably quiet, economical and performs well for its size, too.

Peugeot also used a 1·4 litre engine in the 205, which gave the car much perkier acceleration with only a small fuel consumption penalty. Peugeot used the 1·4 litre engine in the sportier GT and XS models too.

They also used two variants of the 1·6 litre engine, one fitted to the pleasing automatic with 80 PS, and the GTI version, with between 105 and 115 PS (depending on the model). The 1·6 GTI is a superb car in its own right, and the only reason why it is not the best Peugeot 205 is because of the 1·9 version! The 1·6 engine is smooth, eager to rev, and has a zesty, sporty nature.

The largest petrol engine fitted to the 205 was the 130 PS 1·9 litre, as fitted to the GTI. This engine is a gem - ideal for the GTI model. One slight problem (more a quirk, really) is the lumpy idle, but this does hint at the very nature of the car.

Peugeot used two diesel engines - an “atmo” 1·8 with 60 PS, and a turbocharged 1·8 with 78 PS. Both are excellent - the “atmo” donk is smooth, torquey and easily obtains 55 mpg. The turbodiesel is not quite so economical, but pulls very well in a reasonably lightweight car.

Ride & Handling

The 205 has a superb blend of a smooth ride with good handling, making even the smaller engined cars fun to drive (perhaps even the 950 models). The sportier cars place more emphasis on handling, but retain a reasonably supple ride (excepting the 1·9 GTI which feels very hard).

Like most Peugeots, a word of caution is that, on the limit, the chassis can turn around and bite your head off with lift off oversteer. If you are expecting it, this can be fun but if it is wet and you’re traversing a wet roundabout, it can be a little scary.

Interior

The 205 has useable space front and rear, and a reasonably well designed dashboard. Build quality is a little bit suspect in some areas, with many models producing squeaks and rattles after a few years.

Exterior

It’s now looking dated, but it’s still one of the prettier cars on the roads. The sportier models look purposeful. Badly kept ones look tatty, especially around the front fog lamps.

Verdict

I like the Peugeot 205. In GTI form, it comes close to being the perfect hot hatch. With 130 PS, the 1·9 is very quick. The 1·6 is not all that much slower (but note that later models make do with 105 PS whereas earlier cars have 115 PS) and seems to have a slightly more supple ride. Both are excellent drivers’ cars, but are quite tiring on a longer run and both have heavy clutch pedals.

The diesels merit special attention. They’re amongst the quicker of their class, and the most frugal. The turbodiesel is very swift in the upper gears, and of course, can be upgraded with the addition of an intercooler by those owners wanting more power and torque!