Ride comfort is, for obvious reasons, a low priority. The brakes require a decent shove, and are not particularly communicative, but there's ample outright power when you need it. The thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped wheel is a pleasure to hold thumb support bumps are in the right place - 10 to 2 - on the rim. The engine speed-sensitive power steering is quite heavy, especially at low speeds, and is perhaps harder work than it should be. Its suspension is designed for smooth bitumen rather than goat tracks, but the 206 remains reasonably well composed on the latter, with less tendency to get kicked around than some other lightweight sports hatchbacks. It does what a hot hatch is supposed to do: tells you exactly where the front wheels are pointed, responds instantly to your directions, and stands on its toes when changing direction, with fine balance and poise. The 180 is equally toey on the handling front.
#206 rc full#
ESP can be switched off if you want the full boy-racer experience. First gear runs to 66kmh, so the GTi can jump out of hairpin corners very quickly. The close ratio spread allows you to keep the 180 singing in the upper register when busy in bends. It is complemented by the slick, precise five-speed gearbox, which almost intuitively finds the gear you want when you want it. Between 50, where it hits the rev-limiter, the GTi sucks in the oxygen and flies, accompanied by deliciously deep, high performance four-cylinder brrrm-brrrm noises from the twin exhausts. It's a bit of a non event under 3000rpm, but from here to 5000 its delivery is extremely strong and tractable. The 2.0 is beautifully smooth and responsive, one of those engines that becomes sweeter the harder it's driven. The 0-100kmh trip takes 7.7 seconds not supercar territory, but certainly fast enough to have fun.Īnd you do. Given that the 180 weighs a mere 1100kg, it is inevitably going to shift quickly with 130kW propelling it (peak power arrives at 7000rpm, and 202Nm of torque comes at 4750rpm). The 180 rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels, shod with 205/40 Pirelli P7000 tyres. Handling tweaks include lowered, stiffened suspension (strut front trailing arm/torsion bar rear), thicker anti-roll bars, recalibrated power steering and upgraded anti-lock brakes with ESP traction/stability control.
#206 rc manual#
The five-speed manual gearbox is as per the GTi, but with a longer first-gear ratio. Its 2.0 spins to 7300rpm performance is also enhanced with intake and exhaust tract work, coil-on-plug ignition and phased sequential fuel injection. It is fitted with variable intake valve timing, directly actuated valves, aluminium alloy block and lightweight pistons, flywheel and crankshaft. The 180 (the horsepower equivalent of 130kW) shares the basic dimensions of the lesser engine but adds a new crossflow cylinder head, machined by Mecachrome, the engineering outfit that worked with Peugeot during its tilts at F1. It costs $34,990 - $5000 more than the GTi, which remains in the line-up for now. With the 180, Peugeot has responded to the challenge and re-established the 206 GTi's sports credentials. Its 102kW 2.0 now looks tame against the likes of the Renaultsport Clio (124kW), Holden's Astra SRi turbo (147kW), and other competitors in Europe. More recently, the GTi badge has been worn by the similarly conceived, but considerably less feral 206. The 1987-94 205 GTi was about as refined as a chainsaw, but went like the clappers, handled and steered like a go kart and made angry noises. The French brand has long applied the GTi moniker to its hot hatches. Today, even the base model Corolla's 1.8 is good for 100kW, so any small hatch with high-performance pretensions requires something extra under the bonnet.Įnter Peugeot with a 130kW version of its 206 called the GTi 180. Once upon a time, 100kW of power qualified a four-cylinder engine as a genuine sports tool. Strong resale values.īad: Squeezy driving position with insufficient adjustment for tall people. Finely balanced, tactile handling and accurate steering. Fair dinkum sports performance from hot 2.0 engine, matched with one of the best gearboxes in the business. Good: Nice price for a very well-sorted Euro sports hatch. Bill McKinnon says it goes hard - and sweetly. Peugeot's latest 206 GTi is poised but potent.
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