Peugeot 206
For Peugeots 206, nothing less than the lions share of the supermini market will do. Vanessa Hinkley finds out why the car has met with a roar of approval
If you remember anything about the Eighties, then the chances are that it wont have much to do with the cars we were driving. By and large, they were pretty forgettable. Should you remember any, then its quite likely that Peugeots little 205 would be among them. As one of the very first modern superminis I tried, it had that extra little je ne sais quois that set it apart from stodgy Metros,
Vauxhall Novas and other mundane econoboxes of the day.
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The rallying successes helped of course but it was more than that. Thousands of women loved the little Pugs get-up-and-go particularly in sporty GTi form. Its taken a long time for the company to launch a successor: at one point, they argued that there was no need for a 206 at all, such was the success of the smaller 106 and larger 306 ranges. But common sense has prevailed. The 206 is here, carrying the burdens both of history and expectation. It has to be a very good car indeed - and most potential customers will probably agree that it is.
The looks are certainly different: if you want something that will stand out in the carpark against rival
Renault Clios and
Ford Fiestas, then this will fit the bill nicely. When it comes down to it though, the basics arent much different.
Theres a choice of three and five-door hatches, an SW estate or a distinctive coupe/cabrio model if you really want to show off. Your 206 will now come from either the Classic or the Sports Range, the former being comprised of S and SE, the later offering XSi and GTi. A Tiptronic gearbox is also available as are various special editions with names like Quicksilver, Zest 2 and Sport. There are hi-tech direct injection 1.
4 and 2.0-litre HDI diesel powerplants utilising the latest common-rail technology as well as 110bhp 1.6-litre and 90bhp 1.4-litre 16v petrol units.
Theres also a choice of 1.1 and 1.4-litre eight-valve engines. Then theres the 2.
0-litre petrol powerplant that powers the GTi version, borrowed in this case from the 406, and its 180bhp big brother that sits under the bonnet of the 206 GTi180. All models come with more than their fair share of the usual small car niceties: expect a driver's airbag, a height-adjustable steering column, power steering, an RDS stereo with driver remote control, sports seats, an engine immobiliser and tinted glass. I liked the nice touches too: a switch to disable the front passenger airbag (where fitted) for baby seats. Then there's the front passenger
seat cushion, which flips forward to reveal a storage space within the seat's structure. Alternatively, the seat's backrest can be folded flat for really long loads.
Step inside and it's just like every other
Peugeot you've ever sat in. Though the dark plastics used are rather sombre, the materials chosen are light and attractive. You wouldn't mistake this for an up-market saloon but it's an environment you'd be quite happy with, even on a long journey. Rear seat accommodation isn't one of the 206's strong points - but then you could say the same about most of the other cars in this sector. At least the boot is a reasonable size, thanks to compact rear suspension. Criticisms? Well, the rear doors could be larger and the top of the tailgate is so low that it slightly cuts into the interior mirror's field of view. I'd also add, however, that the dynamic nose looks just great bearing down on you from behind. On the road, it's much as you might expect, given the impressive abilities of other cars from the company's stable. Class-leading attributes include the slick gearchange and the absorbent suspension. And handling? Well, unlike its predecessor, the 206 advances the science no further in this respect - the class standard is already too good for that. Nor, unlike the 205, is it the kind of car that enthusiasts will find excuses to drive.
The power steering is a little light and the body roll a little too pronounced. Multiplex wiring technology has now been included to provide many of the big car features that small cars increasingly adopt and to keep the 206 ahead of the chasing pack. The big payoff is in terms of additional features. Self-thinking
SMART airbags that respond to the force of an impact are now standard, as is a passenger airbag deactivation warning, doors which automatically unlock in an accident, a door ajar warning light, a plip key car location device and a separate digital display for your stereo, thus rendering it less thief-friendly.
Theres not much to choose between the Peugeot and its rivals in terms of the asking price, but its true to say that the 206 does hold a slight equipment advantage. In the final analysis, it really comes down to what you want.
Happily though as an only car, I might find it a little small (a comment that also applies to most other superminis in this sector). Its the most stylish car in its class, yet also dynamically up there with the best. Most will be happy with that.
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