Peugoet: 206 - 7th Sep 2004 7:54pm
New Car Road Test
So what do you think a good one or not ?
- Peugeot 206 Hatchback
- Overall Rating
Price: £13,770 For: A supple ride and agile chassis make every 206 GTi great fun.
The petrol engine is entertaining, especially in 180bhp form,
while the new turbodiesel GTi is punchy yet frugal.
Against: Interior design and quality of materials
are dowdy and a let-down compared with those of more modern rivals.
The driving position is dreadful.
- Performance
Ride Handling Refinement
Engine flexibility is the keynote
Nimble and fun Engine and road noise compete for attention Performance. - The 2.0-litre engine
in the GTi now comes in 137bhp or 180bhp form and
easily copes with the 206's compact size.
It's best when the revs have been stoked up, but there's plenty of low-down pull for overtaking.
The new 1.6 turbodiesel model - Peugeot's first diesel GTi -
is not as fast as its petrol brothers but its 180lb ft of torque gives it
the strongest pull of any 206. - Handling
All 206s are nimble and fun, while the hotter GTis also provide alert steering, good brakes and a
chassis that's sensitive to sudden changes in accelerator position.
The ride is rather firm around town.
The 180bhp GTi has an uprated suspension and 17-inch alloys
that bless the car with even more agility,
grip and feedback to keep enthusiastic drivers happy. - Refinement
Some noise is to be expected in the petrol versions
because the engines need a good dose of revs to give their best.
The 206 also allows a lot of harsh road noise into the cabin,
and the climate control system makes a racket.
The long-throw gearchange is a touch notchy, and the clutches are sometimes sticky
and become increasingly so with miles. - Body type Hatchback
Number of doors 3
Number of seats 5
Engine (cc/type) 1560/4
Fuel type Diesel
Max power (bhp/rpm) 110/4000
Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 180/1750
Max speed (mph) 118
0-60mph (sec)
30-70mph (sec) 10.4
In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) 4.3/6.8/11.6
In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) 6.2/7.4/9.1
Braking distance (m) 9.5/49.1
Engine position no data
Driven wheels Front
Length (mm) 3835
Width (mm) 1652
Height (mm) 1433
Front headroom (mm) 896
Front legroom (mm) 851
Rear headroom (mm) no data
Rear kneeroom (mm) no data
Boot space (min ltr) 245
Boot space (max ltr) 1130
Turning circle (m) 9.9
Turning circle lock to lock(m) standard
Towing weight (kg) 900
Kerb weight (kg) 1130 - Buying Quality Safety and Security
Competitive prices and decent resale values Cheap plastics but mechanically reliable Four stars in crash tests; security is reasonable
Buying - The petrol GTis are more expensive to run than other 206s
because of poorer fuel economy and higher emissions.
However, the clean new turbodiesel's low emissions put it in the bottom company car
tax band and it returns an impressive 56.5mpg. although the Peugeot only needs to be serviced every 20,000 miles,
and the car's popularity keeps residual values above average. - Quality
The quality of the Peugeot's materials is disappointing,
and the drab layout gives the whole cabin a downbeat air that's totally out of place in a GTi.
The 206 is proving to be a reliable car, however,
and is covered by a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Routine maintenance is cheap but bigger repairs may be costly. - Safety and Security
The 206 achieved a four-star rating in Euro NCAP's crash tests.
Standard safety kit on the GTi models includes twin front and side airbags and anti-lock brakes.
All GTis come with an alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks to keep thieves out. - Urban 47.1
Extra Urban 68.9
Combined 58.9
CO2 Rating 126
Insurance Group Varies
Retained Value no data
Contract Hire Rate 272
Cost per mile 35.49p
Service Cost £115
Servicing 24/20,000
Warranty 36/60,000 + 6-12 year Paint + 12 year Perforation + 1 year Breakdown - Behind the Wheel Space and Practicality Equipment
Chances are, you won't be sitting comfortably A practical boot,
but too few cubby holes Spec list pales next to some rivals' - Behind the Wheel
No matter how much you juggle the driver's seat and the low-slung steering wheel,
you end up with a straight-armed driving position
and an uncomfortable bent-knees posture.
The GTi 180's bucket seats are much more supportive than the chairs in the other versions, however.
Poor-quality trim and fiddly switchgear make the cabin an unappealing driver's workplace. - Space and Practicality
Although the Peugeot has been overtaken by at least half a dozen competitors for space,
it still offers a reasonable amount of interior space.
In addition, its practical, rectangular boot doesn't lose much space to the rear wheel arches,
while it opens up to a useful size when the seats split and fold.
The GTis are available in three-door form only. - Equipment
As the flagship models of the range, the GTis are better equipped than most 206s:
all get climate control, alloy wheels and leather trim,
while the 137bhp petrol and TD versions have a single CD player and the 180 gets a CD multichanger.
Metallic paint costs extra. - Central Locking standard
Remote Locking standard
Adjustable Steering Reach standard
Adjustable Steering Rake standard
Electric Steering Adjustable no data
Seat Height Adjustable standard
Power Seats Adjustable not available
Air Conditioning standard
Climate Control standard
Seat Belt Tensioners standard
Driver Airbag standard
Passenger Airbag standard
Side Airbag standard
Side Impactbars standard
Centre 3 Pointbelt standard
Traction Control standard
Antilock Brakes standard
Auto Gearbox not available
Alloywheels standard
Deadlocks standard
Immobiliser standard
Alarm standard
Visible Vin standard
Secure Spare Wheel standard
Marked Parts not available
Etched Windows not available
Satellite Navigation
Handsfree Phone not available
Leather Seats standard
Locking Wheelnuts not available
Metallic Paint
Split Fold Rear Seats standard
Electric Front Windows standard
Electric Mirrors standard
Heated Mirrors standard
Manual Sunroof not available
Electric Sunroof
Cruise Control not available
Multi CD
Radio not available
RDS Radio standard
Unique Fit Radio standard
So what do you think a good one or not ?