More than an old car #216: Peugeot 205 GTI

 

It has been a while since I wrote a blog post, but thought to revive it to clear my backlog. ChatGPT has also made the writing process much easier! On this 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI, I did not know of its existence here until someone shared a picture in a group: it did not seem to generate much attention but I immediately recognised its uniqueness. The very next day I went down to the workshop and I was able to see it in its glory.

The 205 was launched in 1983, which marked a change in direction of Peugeot: previously it had focused on large saloons. Its arrival in the 'small car' class was timely as it went head-to-head with the Fiat Uno, VW Polo and Nissan March/Micra. A variety of engine sizes were available and the 205 came in 3/5 door hatchback and a 2-door convertible versions. 

Launched in 1984, the high-performance 205 GTI arrived at a time when the hot hatch market was beginning to gain momentum. Competitors like the Volkswagen Golf GTI had already set the stage, but Peugeot's offering brought something special to the table: a near-perfect balance of power, handling, and charm. It was distinguished from the base model with plastic wheel arches and trim, beefier front and rear bumper valances.

Available with either a 1.6-liter or a later 1.9-liter inline-four engine, the 205 GTI was praised for its lively performance. The 1.6-liter version produced 105 hp initially, later increased to 115 hp, while the 1.9-liter variant delivered 130 hp. These figures might seem modest today, but in a car that weighed just over 900 kg (2,000 lbs), they translated into a thrilling driving experience. This unit was powered by a 1580 cc XU5JA inline-4 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 190 km/h with an acceleration of 9.5 seconds [0-100 km/h]. It was 3705 mm long and weighed 850 kg.

 

What truly set the 205 GTI apart was its handling. The car featured an agile chassis, responsive steering, and a well-balanced suspension setup that made it a joy to drive on twisty roads. Unlike many modern hot hatches that rely on electronic aids, the 205 GTI offered pure, unfiltered feedback, allowing drivers to feel every nuance of the road beneath them.

However, the 205 GTI also earned a reputation for being a handful, especially in wet conditions. The rear-end could be lively under hard braking or sudden lift-off, a characteristic that skilled drivers learned to exploit but could catch the inexperienced off guard.

Peugeot didn’t just stop at building a great road car—the 205 GTI also played a crucial role in motorsport. Its DNA was closely linked to the legendary 205 Turbo 16, which dominated the World Rally Championship in the mid-80s. The success of the rally car only added to the allure of the GTI, cementing its status as a true performance machine.

Despite production ending in 1994, the Peugeot 205 GTI remains one of the most sought-after classic hot hatches. Its combination of lightweight construction, eager performance, and old-school driving thrills ensures it remains a favorite among collectors and driving enthusiasts alike. Prices for well-preserved examples have been steadily climbing, with some pristine models commanding impressive sums at auctions.

205 GTIs were sold in Singapore in 1987 where they retailed for S$56,500. One unit was also given as part of a lucky draw by Parkway Parade in 1989. This unit is the last one on regular plates, though a 205 CTI was imported some time back. It has not been seen until recently and shortly after this went up on social media, the car disappeared again. Hopefully, it will be back on our roads again for all to appreciate this legendary icon!

More than an old car #128: Peugeot 405

Firstly, I would like to wish all readers a happy new year and a good start to 2020! So many changes have happened in the last decade and while we do not know what is going to come for this new one, I hope that you'll get to realise your dreams and aspirations along the way. Let me start this year with this somewhat unconventional 1994 Peugeot 405 GR!

The Peugeot 405 was first introduced in 1987 where it succeeded the 305. At that time, it was the French manufacturer's first attempt at a front-wheel drive mid-size car. It quickly became very popular in Europe, where it was awarded the European Car of the Year in 1988, due to its superb chassis and reliable engines. Initially released as a sedan, an estate/station wagon version appeared in 1989. It had a relatively low drag coefficient of 0.30, making it very aerodynamic, and earned rave reviews for ride quality and transmission. It underwent a facelift in 1992, with modifications notably done to the rear.

The 405 was available with various engines and trim levels, of which the GR was the intermediate level. Local units were sold with the 1580 cc XU5 M i4 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 168 km/h with an acceleration of 16.2 seconds [0-100 km/h]. It was 4408 mm long and weighed 1080 kg, with a fuel consumption of 8.7 litres/100 km.

Production in Europe ended in 1997, where it was replaced by the 406. However, it is technically still made as of today in Iran and Azerbaijan. For some reason, Iranians love Peugeots a lot, probably because the cars are locally manufactured and affordable. Yet, it was recently announced that the 405 would cease production in mid-2020. To date, production figures are estimated to be about 5 million.

In Singapore, the 405 was sold from 1988 by Advance Automobiles: Peugeot did not have an official showroom unlike today. In 1992, the GR (GLi for this car) was made available in automatic transmission at a price of S$85,980 [S$127,840 in today's money], which was not really cheap. This should be one of the last units left here as most of them succumbed to the COE monster, but it seems that the owner intends to keep it for the long term.

This is a quintessential 90s car, with the boxy styling and cloth seats, although it may not look sophisticated nor classic at first glance. Even as we progress into a new decade, it is fascinating to continue seeing such interesting cars on the road. As such, this has spurred me to continue keeping this blog up for as long as I can!

More than an old car #6: Peugeot 304

I was quite fortunate to be able to capture this exquisite yellow prince. Seeing it here in Singapore was really a treat, especially when its kind was the rarest. Let me introduce you to the the Peugeot 304 Cabriolet, of which only 2 exist here currently.

For the uninitiated, Peugeot is a French car maker, which was founded by Emile Peugeot in 1810. However, it started out as a factory making bicycles and coffee mills. It is commonly known as the 'car with the lion' as the lion is Peugeot's logo.

The Peugeot 304 was first introduced in 1969 and it came in various forms--a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe and cabriolet and even a 2-door van. The styling features were by Pininfarina, an Italian car design firm who also created the unique Ferrari designs. As a result, there was a classy feel to the car and this attracted many people who desired spacious cars to park in their driveways.

It was equipped with an I4 engine [4-cylinder engine] and it was capable of reaching 160 km/h--a boon to users who wanted to travel at high speeds along the newly-built expressways that were opening up France at that time. Only 3.76 m long and weighing in at 895 kg, it proved to be very economical and hence a best-seller.

However, around 19,000 cabriolets like the one in the picture were made and of which, only 836 were manufactured in right-hand drive for the UK market. Around 100 still remain today. I am not sure whether this came from the UK or whether it was an organic import due to the original-registration number plate. Remarkably, it is still normally-registered with the original Corn Yellow paint scheme. Whatever it is, this is rarer than hen's teeth and it could be auspicious if you see one!