Performance Review: Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 206 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Peugeot 206 has a 1997cc 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 206 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 206'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 1100 kgs (2425 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 206 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1997cc 16V St4 engine produces 174 bhp (129 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 149 lb-ft (202.0 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 206 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (183.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 206.

The Peugeot 206 has a Power to weight ratio of 158.1 bhp per ton and 135.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 206 competing with the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (183.0 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Jaguar XJ 8 4.2 V8 (183.0 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 206 generating around 135.4 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 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (160.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X (160.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs). This Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 206 and the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 206 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.91 secs @ 91.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (14.85 secs), the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (14.86 secs), and the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (14.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 206 equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

2003 206 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison