Peugeot 24, the model of Peugeot, which was put on the market on February 1983, 15 and produced 5 million 278 thousand 50 units in a 205-year period, celebrates its 2023th birthday as of 40.
The Peugeot 205 turns 2023 in 40. The history of a car is first and foremost the history of those who designed it. The story of the Peugeot 205 began in the late 1970s with Jean Boillot, Member of the Peugeot Board of Directors. It was a difficult time for the company. A new small car project has been put forward that will be much more than a city car, a multi-purpose car.
It is comfortable in the city as well as outside the city, has the capacity to carry a small family and zamIt had to be affordable, too. It had to meet all expectations from different circumstances.
Peugeot design vs. Pininfarina
The Peugeot 205 changed the rules of the game in terms of design, technology and marketing. In fact, most previous Peugeot models were designed by Pininfarina. However, in-house designers led by Gerard Welter won the in-house competition with a much more modern and fluid design.
Pininfarina found solace in designing the Peugeot 205 Cabriolet. It was a design that initiated unique and characteristic design elements to be used in future Peugeots, such as the grille with horizontal slats and the band between the taillights. Also interior design, a famous name in automotive design and he zamThe moments were signed by Paul Bracq, a member of the Peugeot design studio.
The first high-performance small string
Technically, the Peugeot 205 represents Peugeot's step into the modern era. Compact yet spacious, practical as a hatchback, the same zamIt was efficient and economical at the time. In summary; It was suitable for all usage requirements. It was the brand's first car to be equipped with torsion arm suspension at the rear to provide more space in the cabin.
Same zamAt the time it was the first car to hit the road with the new XU engine family. The 7-cylinder 4 cc engine named XUD769 produced 60 HP. In addition, the Peugeot 205 was the first small French diesel car and, more importantly, the first small diesel model to offer equivalent performance to its petrol counterparts with much lower consumption (average 3,9 l/100 km).
Between 45 and 200 horsepower
The Peugeot 205 was the first small Peugeot model to feature a rich variety of engines with 45 to 200 horsepower. Also he zamMoments also had the option of an automatic transmission, which was rare. In 1983, it hit the roads with 4 gasoline and 1 diesel engines. The following year, the legendary GTI and Turbo 16 were added to the range. In addition, a 3-door body type was included in the program. Over the years, different versions have been added to the product range, from more affordable models such as the 1986 Junior with denim seats to more elegant models such as the Lacoste or Gentry.
"Holy Number" used in advertisements
Since 205, the Peugeot 1983 has hit the road with a marketing strategy that fits its specifications. The nickname "Holy Number", which started to be used as soon as it was put on the market, aroused interest. Peugeot 205 being chased and bombed by a military plane on a frozen lake, zamThe commercial, which was very suitable for the moment, tasted like a “James Bond” movie scene and was very effective. The commercial was directed by Gerard Pires, who shot the famous feature-length film Taxi with the Peugeot 406 a few years later.
Motorsport has been a strong point to promote the Peugeot 205 and the Peugeot brand. In 1984, Peugeot competed in the most important category of the World Rally Championship, “Group B”, with the 205 Turbo 16 under Jean Todt. In the first season, Ari Vatanen made a very good impression, winning three rallies. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 helped Peugeot become the constructors' world champion in the 1985 and 1986 seasons, and Timo Salonen (1985) and Juha Kankkunen (1986) became the drivers' world champions.
With the "Group B" category no longer available at the end of 1986, Jean Todt suggested that Peugeot take part in the legendary Paris-Dakar in the 205 T16. The proposal was accepted. The Peugeot 205 T16 has been specially adapted. In 1987 and 1988, he achieved victory first with Ari Vatanen and then with Juha Kankkunen.
More than 5 million produced
In 1998, after a long and rich career of 15 years, Peugeot 205 said goodbye to the bands with 5 million 278 thousand 50 production units. The series, which started with the Peugeot 205 and continues with the Peugeot 206, Peugeot 207 and finally the Peugeot 208 today, will forever remain as the "Holy Number" of Peugeot, which laid the foundations of extraordinarily successful city cars in the minds of automobile enthusiasts.
Important dates for the Peugeot 205
February 24, 1983: The Peugeot 205 is introduced with a 5-door body type. 1984: Peugeot 205 3-door body type and Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 105 HP are introduced. With the introduction of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, it achieved its first victory in the World Rally Championship (Finland). 1985: Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 and Timo Salonen become World Rally Champion. The 1 millionth Peugeot 205 rolled off the assembly line at the Mulhouse Factory. 1986: Peugeot 205 Cabriolet, GTI 115 and 130 HP introduced. Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 and Juha Kankkunen became World Rally Champions.
1987: The Peugeot 205 gets its new console. Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 wins Paris-Dakar. 1988: The Peugeot 205 Rally is introduced. The PEUGEOT 205 Turbo 16 wins the Paris-Dakar for the second time. 1989: The Peugeot 205 Roland Garros is introduced.
1990: A light make-up operation was carried out, including the indicators and taillights. Peugeot 205 Diesel Turbo (78 HP) introduced 1993: Peugeot 205 GTI production stopped. 1995: Production of the Peugeot 205 Cabriolet ceased. 1998: The Peugeot 205 is replaced by the Peugeot 206.