A car for most people need not be boring. The Peugeot 205 was beautiful to look at, smooth-driving and smart.
A real folk model
The 205 was launched as a 1983 model and was produced almost unchanged until the 1998 model year. The only noticeable visual change is the white turn signals from 1990. Quite a few different variants were produced with designations such as GL, GR, GT, XR, XT, SR, as well as special equipment variants such as Rallye and LaCoste – designations that can be used to date the cars. On the engine side, the Peugeot 205 received all the engines in the company from 1.0 liters to 1.9 liters for the GTI, as well as diesel engines. During the 15 years the model was in production, it can be said that many different engines have been offered.
Peugeot GTI 205
The best GTI ever?
Many would argue that the best GTI is not made in Germany. Maybe the 205 GTI is the best? It has a simple, stylish design, free of frills. It's big enough and heavy enough to have sporting ambitions, - and sufficiently motorized for fun at highway speeds. Text and logo behind the side windows reveal whether a 1.6 liter or 1.9 liter is hiding under the hood. Originally the 1.6 liter had 105 horses, later upgraded to 117 HP. The 1.9 liter has 128 horses. The 205 GTI represents the sportiest for most people. In the rally races, Peugeot made it big with Finnish drivers such as Ari Vatanen, Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen.
205 CTI Convertible
Peugeot 205 1.3 Rallye
The 205 Rallye was put into production to homologate the model for the rally class under 1400 cc. Only a necessary, limited number were to be produced, but the model became so popular that the production volume was multiplied. This was a model that was also sold in Norway. The 1.3-liter engine produced 103 HP at 6800 rpm and has a maximum torque of 118 Nm at 5000 rpm. The weight was only 794 kg. The weight reduction affected the interior - less padding and less sound insulation. All Rallye models are characterized in addition to the decor by their white steel rims. This is the "GTI light".
Peugeot 205 XAD Multi
Separate series were made for utility transport, i.e. as small vans. The largest van received an additional bodywork at the back with a raised roof and large rear door, – XA and XAD. These were 2-seaters, but a separate "multipurpose car" was also made, if you can call it that the. The XAD Multi was such a car. Perhaps the most family-friendly variant?
Peugeot 205 Fourgonnette
About the pictures
The main image and the images of the 205 Rallye were taken in connection with a car meeting in Perpignan, France. There were also the two 205 cars in the same photo – a multicolor/blue 4-door and a red car. The red car in front of a brick yard was photographed in Copenhagen, 2023. The red car in profile is a late version photographed in Perpignan, 2024. The red GTI and CTI (the convertible) were photographed at Øvrevoll galopp in connection with a Cars & Coffee meeting. The image of a blue GTI with black, French registration numbers next to a red car was taken on the occasion of the Fête d'auto in Palau del Vidre. Two images of a silver-gray and black 205 GTI were taken prior to a night rally for classic cars at the casino in Saint-Cyprien in southern France. The image of the XAD Multi was taken outside the Peugeot dealership on the Oulrich industrial estate outside Céret in France. The van (fourgonnette) was photographed in a residential area in Céret, France.
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