- Doors and Seats
3 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
102kW, 194Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Used car review: Peugeot 206 GTi 1999-2006
The little hot hatch that lost its way
As the maker of one of the hottest hot hatches ever to turn a wheel - the 205 GTi - a lot was expected of Peugeot in the late 1990s when it pulled the wraps of its newest baby screamer, the 206 GTi.
The tradition of the hot hatch is alive and well in Europe and the little three-door warriors the cult has spawned have often represented some of the best performance motoring around.
While countries including Australia and the US concentrated on large rear-drive cars with big engines as their performance staples, it's different in Europe.
Roads are narrow, parking is at a premium and petrol mega-expensive, and the hot hatch rules.
But the 206 GTi launched here in 1999 proved that, sometimes, quite a bit can get lost in translation.
While the original 1980s 205 GTi was universally adored for its combination of go-kart handling and V8-bashing performance, the latter-day version never really lived up to the hype.
There's no arguing, though, that the 206 GTi looked a whole lot more modern than its boxy predecessor. The more rounded, flowing lines looked good from some angles, but gave that car a slightly bloated look from others.
At least the body kit and alloy wheels endowed it with some visual aggression, although some of the details, like the bonnet vents, could look a little twee.
Inside, the rich tradition of having a lairy presentation was toned down and the colours in the 206 GTi were a bit more muted than those we saw in the '80s, with lots of generic-looking plastics, switches and dials.
What didn't change, however, was the notion of fitting a head-banging engine.
A full 2.0-litres seemed like quite a bit for a tiny car like the 206 and it was. With double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, it cranked out 102 kW which, at the time, was quite a feat.
What it didn't manage, however, was the effortless flexibility of the 205 GTi's old-fashioned two-valve engine, so the 206 GTi driver had to work the engine and the five-speed gearbox a little harder. For Sunday-morning blasts this was hardly a problem, but it did make the car a bit more work than would have been ideal in city and suburban traffic.
But perhaps the 206 GTi's biggest failing was in terms of its accommodation.
The driving position was, without putting too fine a point on it, dreadful. The steering wheel was off-centre and quite flat, the seat cushion was also too flat and the pedals were offset at a weird angle, forcing the hapless driver into what looked like a yoga position.
Throw in a soggy gearshift action and a clutch pedal with very little feel and it was all a bit too much over long distances.
Not many people ever bought a 206 GTi for interstate runs, but it remains the case that drivers will be happiest with short trips.
Safety-wise, you got dual front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes and seat-belt pre-tensioners.
Peugeot gave the car a facelift in 2004 (16-inch alloys wheels became standard in early 2001) but it wasn't until you opted for the even more expensive 206 GTi 180 with its extra power and improved ergonomics that you were starting to realise the full potential of the concept.
The 180 model was quite good, addressing as it did all the basic, earlier car's shortcomings.
It's one time where Peugeot really did save the best till last.
What to pay
Early 206 GTis are now around the low to mid-teens with some cars from around 2001-02 with less than 100,000 km on the clock fetching closer to $20,000. The one you want, the 180 model from 2004 onwards, will still cost at least $25,000.
The competition
Lots of makers offer hot hatches. We'd look at the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Mazda3 MPS (although it's still quite a new car and won't be hitting yards for a while) and the Holden Astra Turbo. On a slightly smaller scale, there's the VW Polo GTI (also quite new) and our pick, the Renault Clio Sport. Something from left field? How about the Proton Satria GTI which was (and still is) a high point in the Proton story in Australia. Or for a bargain fix, try the SEAT Ibiza Cupra Sport which was sold here in limited numbers.