Peugeot 206 2003 Preview

Hot hatch-master Peugeot has gone from leader of the pack to last off the mark. Tweaked versions of the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Toyota Corolla are now on sale in Australia, joining the potent Renault Clio Sport, but the latest worked Peugeot is not due until November.

The 206 GTi 180 (called the RC overseas) will sit above the regular 206 GTi ($29,990) in the Peugeot line up and should cost about $35,000 when it arrives here.

It comes with a much warmer 2.0-litre engine that lifts power from 100kW to a more respectable 130kW.

The GTi 180 has just been released in Europe and many French and English journalists were underwhelmed with the styling. It is more understated than aggressive and the issue became a sore point at the launch in France.

"There seems to be some implicit criticism of the styling here. Were we right or wrong to give the car a more sporting appearance? It is the market that will tell us," says Peugeot Sport boss and communications manager, Corrado Provera. "We did not want to be accused of making a car that incites people to go too quickly."

Provera also adds that many people would be disappointed if the GTi 180 looked as fast as a rally car, but was not able to back up the looks with the pace and road-handling of an all-wheel-drive turbo-charged car.

The GTi 180 three-door comes with larger 17-inch alloy wheels and subtle body kit and rear wing. The front guards are pushed out slightly (by 20mm) on each side, but the rest of the body is essentially the same.

Peugeot Sport decided to fit the GTi 180 with the firmer rear suspension (with larger torsion bar and rigid trailing arms) that it originally developed for the 206 wagon, while the front end was given firmer springs.

Driver and passenger front and side airbags are standard, along with traction and electronic stability control (which can be turned off).

Extra gear on the inside includes wrap-around leather and alcantera (suede like) seats in the front and rear.

There are only four seats, though, because Peugeot says a third passenger in the back would not enjoy the ride if the driver was pushing hard.

The GTi 180 also comes with a leather-coated instrument panel cover, just like some of the most exotic sportscars.

There is all the regular standard equipment including single-CD sound, climate control airconditioning and electric windows.

It is only available with a five-speed manual gearbox, when most other cars have a six-speed (except for the Astra Turbo which has so much torque that a five-speed is sufficient).

Challenging mountain passes in the Basque region of southwest France and northern Spain offered a good test for a hot hatch.

You can really stretch the legs of the GTi 180 on the run-down twisting roads that are only wide enough to be single-lane.

The extra power is welcome and the engine is smooth, with plenty of grunt.

Power is delivered smoothly throughout the rev range and there is no big rush at any point (like the peaky Corolla Sportivo).

Its transmission works well and although it would have been nice to have a sixth gear, it doesn't present a big problem. The stiffer rear end and re-configured damping offer a compliant ride for a hot hatch.

The Pug is comfortable even over ruts and potholes with little thumping coming back through the car.

Peugeot says it set up the 206 GTi 180 to handle predictably and not let the rear end step out too much during hard cornering. This is a far cry from the 205 of the 1980s, which could catch out aan unwary driver.

"We designed the 205 GTi so that you had to be a good driver to get the most out of it, but you cannot do that these days," Provera says.

The new hot GTi is much more forgiving.

The back can still slide a little if you lift off mid corner or push hard through turns ¿ but the little Peugeot always goes where you want it to.

If you are not comfortable driving on the edge, leave on the electronic stability control which helps keep the car facing the right way.

Peugeot has built seats for the GTi 180 which are clearly the most supportive of the recent hot-hatch releases and look cool too.

From outside, the car looks aggressive enough for the power it offers, yet remains stylish. But the subtle body-kit might not be wild enough for some, and it is hard to pick the 180 version from a regular GTi from a distance.

While we are waiting for a longer drive on Australian roads, an initial squirt shows the GTi 180 can still compete with the new hot hatches that are hitting our roads now.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 16-valve 2.0-litre twin cam with intake camshaft variable valve timing

Power: 130kW at 7000 rpm

Torque: 180Nm at 4750 revs

Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive

Body: two-door hatchback

Price: about $35,000