Peugeot 206GTi HDI110
Peugeots 206 Has Long Been A Favourite With Those With A Pair Of X Chromosomes. The Latest 206 GTi HDi110 Offers Something A Little Different To The Usual Hot Hatch. June Neary reports
There must be something in the
Peugeot 206s DNA that bonds with women. Its Britains best selling retail car yet if you look at the cross section of drivers who buy one, most of them wont be men. Unless, that is, youre talking about the powerful GTi versions. Then things start to get a little more testosterone-fuelled and the ratio reverses.
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Therefore, I was interested to see whether the HDi 110 diesel version of the 206 GTi would appeal. It looks much the same as the petrol-engined car but wont appeal to those solely looking to drive around corners as if they were trying to maximise Michelins share equity. I liked the idea behind it but would I feel the same after Id spent some time with behind the wheel?
Peugeot 206 diesels have come and gone. Some were good and some required a little more shove to make them something youd want to live with day in and day out. Theres little to complain about in that respect with the GTi HDi 110. The 1.
6-litre HDi engine will hustle the car to 60mph in 9.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph whilst at the same time feeling pleasantly light on its feet. With 110bhp of peak power and a chunky 180lb/ft of torque more than the range-topping 206GTi 180, note it feels a good deal quicker than the on-paper figures suggest. An overboost facility cuts in during hard acceleration, boosting the peak torque up to 195 lb/ft for a short period.
It also generates some scarcely credible emissions and economy figures. Compliant with strict Euro IV emissions regulations, this diesel engine sidesteps the three per cent benefit in kind taxation penalty normally levied on business users. It also features a particulate emission filter (FAP). Particulates are the tiny specks of dust caused by inefficient burning of diesel fuel.
They have been singled out as being one of the most notorious man-made carcinogens once released into the atmosphere. In the 206GTi HDi 110, Peugeot have fitted a filter which traps these particulates and incinerates them every 4-500km by introducing a cerine compound to the diesel fuel. This filter regeneration only takes two to three minutes and goes unnoticed by the driver. It serves to give the HDi engine a key ecological advantage over its rivals, eliminating the clouds of soot associated with most diesel engines.
Fuel economy is pegged at 58.9mpg on the combined cycle which, whilst bad news for those saving up their fuel tokens for an attractive crystal decanter or sandwich toaster, is excellent news for the rest of us depressed by inexorably soaring fuel prices.
The 206GTi HDi 110 rewards a more relaxed style of driving. Whereas many GTIs require you to wring their necks to extract meaningful performance, this diesel 206 surfs along on a beefy swell of torque at speeds which are often deceptive. It also has what it takes in the twisty bits, the 307-derived electro-hydraulic variably assisted power steering removing a lot of the nervousness and kickback from the 206s helm. With ESP dynamic stability control and emergency brake assist fitted as standard, theres a decent amount of electronic back up should your enthusiasm overtake your talent.
Theres little doubt that £13,770 is quite an asking price for a car which, to put it kindly, is hardly in the first flush of youth. Then you consult the price guides and realise that if you wanted something materially quicker a
SEAT Ibiza Cupra diesel, say and youre looking at prices hovering around £16,000. Therefore the Peugeot seems to offer reasonable value for money, even if there are more modern feeling rivals that offer similar speed and similar pricing. In the longer term, itll be relatively inexpensive to run as emissions and fuel economy are both very good.
Whether residual values will hold up quite as well remains to be seen.
The Peugeot 2-06GTi HDi 110 is an interesting car that may well bring new buyers to the 206 clan. A significant number of these will doubtless be women, tempted by a GTi that isnt too GTi if you know what I mean. As much as I enjoyed the car, if I was putting my hand in my own pocket, I dont know whether the 206 still has what it takes in the face of some fierce rivalry. You may disagree.
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