Performance Review: Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 205 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Peugeot 205 has a 1580cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 205 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 205's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 900 kgs (1984 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 205 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1580cc 8V St4 engine produces 113 bhp (84 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 99 lb-ft (134.2 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 205 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 205.

The Peugeot 205 has a Power to weight ratio of 125.5 bhp per ton and 110.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 205 competing with the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Maserati Quattroporte AM 107 4.1 V8 (150.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Peugeot 205 generating around 110.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (135.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (134.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 205 and the 2010 Citroen DS3 Racing 200

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 205 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.19 secs @ 84.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Citroen DS3 Racing 200 (16.12 secs), the 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (16.12 secs), and the 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen 2.3L Turbo (16.13 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 205 equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph), or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph).

Related Links:

1986 205 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison