2001 Peugeot 206 Reviews

The recent revival of interest in Peugeot in Australia following the launch of the European Car of the Year, the Peugeot 308, has apparently drawn attention to the rest of the French marque's range. Cars to benefit from this new focus on Peugeot here include one of the most popular of all, the small-medium 206 that's

The small-medium Peugeot 206 was a great car in its day and appealed to those looking for something out of the ordinary. Many were sold to Australians who enjoy driving, not to mention those who love all things French. It rode and handled like a quality car and its dynamics were well ahead of those of the typical Asian cars of the time.Despite the excellent handling, ride comfort remained good, even on rough Australian roads. Though it’s mainly aimed at suburban running, Peugeot 206 can easily be used as a long distance cruiser thanks to its compliant suspension and the usual concentration on relaxing travel by French suspension engineers.The styling of the baby Peugeot broke new ground, with big bold curves and sweeping angles. In particular look at the asymmetrical shape of the body and at the bold lines of the C-pillars. So successful was the shape of the little car that the designers eventually carried the styling theme to the rest of the Peugeot range.In its home country the Peugeot 206 is used by many as a family car so has excellent space efficiency. There's reasonable accommodation for four people and a fair amount of luggage. The 206's interior has been designed to provide a variety of passenger/luggage combinations by folding different seats as required.Most 206s are sold as hatchbacks with either three or five doors, but there's a fascinating open-top model that’s gained a lot of admirers in Australia. Tagged the Peugeot 206CC, with the CC standing for Convertible-Coupe, it has a solid metal roof that can turn it into a convertible at the push of a button. This car was in the vanguard of what has become a popular type in Australia and still draws attention today.There's also a full on sports model in the 206 GTi and its even stronger brother the GTi180. These not only have plenty of engine grunt, but also sports seats, 15-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and ABS brakes. The GTi variants cost a fair bit more than the standard models but offer decent value for money for the driving enthusiast.Engines in the Peugeot 206 begin with a 1.4-litre unit, only sold from March 2002 and used in the lower cost variants. The 1.4 has better performance than you might expect in a car of this size, but try it for yourself, preferably with a reasonable number of people on board before settling for its lower price. Far more common is a 1.6-litre engine installed in cars from the original 1999 imports onwards.A 2.0-litre unit, which is a very large powerplant for a car of this size and light weight, is sold in the sports GTi. That model comes in several formats; most have 100kW or 102kW power outputs but the GTi180 punches out a very healthy 134kW, or 180 horsepower hence the car’s title.Though the engine capacity in the 180 horsepower unit remains at the same 2.0 litres as on the standard 206 GTi, the 180 has variable valve timing, a twin exhaust system and quite a few detailed changes to increase efficiency. The result is a zero to 100 km/h time of a pretty respectable seven seconds.The 2.0-litre engine is also offered in some versions of the 206CC convertible, but only in its lower-powered format. The added weight of the adaptable roof also takes the edge of the car’s performance. But, hey look at that lovely open air feeling, isn’t that more important?Most models in the Peugeot 206 range have a five-speed manual transmission as standard, with an optional four-speed automatic for those who drive in traffic a lot. From the March 2004 model update the automatic came with tiptronic-type manual overrides. Peugeot 206 GTi comes only with the manual gearbox.After a long and successful run in Australia, the 206 was replaced by the Peugeot 207 in a gradual changeover that began early in 2007 and continued model for model for most of the year. In turn, the Peugeot 208 arrived in Australia in mid 2012.Peugeot is long established in Australia, so there's a strong dealer network. The company is represented in some country areas, not just in the major metropolitan zones. Servicing costs and spare parts prices are generally reasonable and we seldom hear of any real problems with parts availability.Insurance costs tend to sit midway up the charts of most companies. The hot 206 GTi models attract higher premiums than the standard ones, but generally not to an outrageous extent.Make sure to arrange a full inspection of any French car you’re considering as, sadly, they don’t have the build quality of Japanese machines.Check that the roof mechanism on a 206CC works smoothly and that there are no unexpected noises during its operation. During the test drive be sure there are no wind noises from the roof when it’s closed.Look for severe tyre wear on a GTi and also for a lot of dust buildup on the wheels. Check for the dust behind the wheels as a smart seller will have cleaned the obviously visible areas at the front.Engines are generally smooth so be suspicious of one that’s on the rocky side, particularly when first started from cold.Check the complete interior, paying special attention to the condition of the seats as they don’t always stand up to the rigours of harsh treatment by Aussie kids.No matter how sure you are of your ability at checking cars it still makes a mountain of sense to call in a professional for the final examination. 

With its folding steel roof Peugeot’s 206CC was two cars in one, combining the fun of a convertible with the comfort and security of a coupe. It wasn’t the first car to feature a retractable steel roof, the Americans were toying with the concept in the 1950s before Mercedes really nailed it with the SLK in the ’90s, but the cute Peugeot was the first to make it an affordable alternative to the rag top.Traditional convertibles had folding fabric tops, but there are a number of deficiencies in a soft top. They don’t provide much, if any, noise insulation, they often leak and can be slashed by someone intent on breaking into your car, and those foggy plastic rear windows are just a pain. On top of that they contribute nothing to a car’s structure at all.A steel roof, on the other hand, doesn’t leak, it can be as quiet as a regular coupe or sedan, afford a greater level of security, and can contribute to a car’s strength by dint of its rigid panels.MODEL WATCHThe arrival of the CC – coupe cabriolet – version of Peugeot’s little 206 came as a surprise.Mercedes-Benz had shown a folding steel roof was plausible with the SLK sports car, but the idea of employing the apparently expensive concept on a cheaper model wasn’t really considered a possibility.It’s really a brilliant concept. With the steel roof in the raised position the occupants are afforded the comfort and protection of a coupe, but it’s also possible to lower the roof to reveal a fun convertible in a matter of a few seconds.If there’s a downside to the concept it’s that you lose more than half of the boot space you might otherwise use for carrying luggage, shopping or what have you when the roof is folded away.The 206CC sat on the same wheelbase and track as its sedan cousins; it also shared the same front floorpan and drivetrain with the more modest models in the 206 range.It didn’t matter which way you viewed it the 206CC was cute, a mix of form, fashion and function with a roof that disappeared from view in 20 seconds at the touch of a button on the console.Inside it had four seats, but in reality it was a two-seater with rear seats suitable only for occasional use.The seats, dash and door panels were lifted from the 206 sedan, but the rear is unique to the CC.Under the cute curves lay a form of MacPherson Strut front suspension, with an anti-roll bar, and a system of torsion bars at the rear, also with an anti-roll bar. On the road it had a comfortable ride and it handled with aplomb.Steering was power assisted rack and pinion, while brakes were disc front and rear with the assistance of anti-skid control and electronic brake force distribution to ensure optimum brake effort where it was most needed.Two engines were on offer, a 1.6-litre double overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder unit that was linked to a four-speed auto, and a 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft fuel-injected four that came with a five-speed manual gearbox.The 1.6-litre engine developed 80 kW at 5800 revs along with 147 Nm at 4000 revs, while the larger engine made 100 kW at 6000 revs and 194 Nm at 4000 revs.On the road that translated into a 0-100 km/h sprint of 12.5 seconds for the 1.6 and 9.3s for the 2.0-litre model.Standard features included climate control air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, cloth trimmed sports seats, drilled ‘rally’ style pedals, height adjustable steering column and driver’s seat, and remote central locking.IN THE SHOPThe earliest 206CCs are approaching the time for a timing belt change and it’s important it be changed at 80,000 km or four years, as a failure will result in some nasty internal damage to the engine.Check for a service record that can be verified, and look inside the oil filler cap for sludge, the enemy of all modern engines.Transmissions stand up quite well, as does the rest of the drivetrain, but brake wear can be high with discs expensive to replace.Check that the roof operates smoothly when being raised or lowered, if it doesn’t it could be because of poor crash repairs that have left it misaligned.The 206CC also suffered from some dash shake so expect a few rattles as time goes on. It’s not a major problem, but can be annoying.IN A CRASHDual front and side airbags provide comprehensive crash protection, while ant-skid brakes with brake force distribution add a further layer of dynamic primary protection.OWNERS SAYAfter Cheryle Fry told her husband she wanted a convertible for her next car, but that she also wanted a hard top, he went looking for something suitable. When she saw a photo of the 206CC she knew that was the one she wanted. Her husband agreed with great trepidation as being a bit of a car buff he had doubts about Peugeot reliability and build quality. After more than a year of ownership and numerous roof-down days on winery trips and joy rides she says the car has not given a moment of trouble. As the car does not carry a spare wheel her husband put Tyre Shield in the tyres many thousands of kilometres ago and she has never had a flat tyre. On a recent trip to Bathurst on mostly corrugated dirt roads with jagged rocks the car and tyres performed superbly. This car is everything I expected it to be and more!LOOK FOR• cute styling• smooth roof operation• comfort and convenience of folding steel roof• quite robust mechanicals• good level of crash protection• limited rear seat accommodationTHE BOTTOM LINEGood looking fun convertible with the convenience and security of a coupe.RATING70/100

The latest baby offering from Peugeot is sure to tempt the tastebuds without shocking your wallet.  French cars will be more than just a side order on the Australian motoring menu in the next few years.  Renault, Peugeot and Citroen each has plans to turn themselves into a main course, with cars that are more than just spice on the Aussie car barbecue.Renault is cooking up a storm with its Clio and Megane models, but no one should ignore Peugeot.  It has the best long-term record in Australia, though it is headed for a change of agent later this year when Inchcape Motors surrenders the rights to the Sime Darby Group.The uncertainty about the changeover hasn't helped Peugeot sales this year, but jumping back into the baby 206 shows why shoppers shouldn't walk away from this French treat.  The 206 has been around since the end of 1999, but a week with the 206 XT -- at the great price of $22,990 -- shows it's still on the pace.It also proves Peugeot was smart to add a gruntier 1.6-litre engine at the start of the year, even though it meant a minor price rise. The new twin-cam motor isn't a screamer, but has a useful 82kW of power against 67kW when it started. And torque is boosted from 137Nm to 147Nm.The good-looking 206 has always been one of the most distinctive cars on the road. It is roomy and comfortable for the class and now gets along surprisingly well, to make it tastier showroom bait.  The XT, the middle model in the 206 range, has never stepped out of the shadow of its sporty leader, the six-speed and 2-litre GTi, until now.It has also battled in a tough class, where popular Japanese cars led by the Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Corolla had it hemmed in on one side.  Smart Euro opposition, such as the Volkswagen Polo and Holden's Astra, pinned it down on the other.The 206 is a sweet-looking car that's well equipped in the XT model. It has twin airbags, air-con, central locking, CD sound and electric windows and mirrors.  Peugeot relies on the dynamics that give its cars one of the world's best ride and handling as well as a reputation for reliability that stretches back to the early days in Australia with the 404 and 504.Today's lineup is impressive, running from the 206 to the 406 and the promise of plenty to come.  There should be a 206 CC - for coupe-cabriolet, and with a metal folding roof - before the end of the year, as well as a fresh 307 next year and a full-sized luxury flagship called the 607.DrivingWHENEVER I see a 206, any model, I'm reminded of my favourite Peugeot, the wonderful little 205 GTi.  The 205 was a ground-breaking hot hatch in the 1980s that changed Peugeot from a maker of quirky, but slightly dull cars that were virtually unbreakable. It had style, it had pace, and it was the way to get noticed.The XT isn't a GTi, but it has something special in the way it looks. And the way it drives.  It can be pedalled along surprisingly briskly, using torque rather than top-end revs, though the car split the Cars Guide team. Some, including me, liked the old Mercedes-style shift pattern with a dogleg movement to encourage manual changes. Others found it difficult and baulky to use.The manual spent most time in the test shed and came through well.  The XT is a five-door hatch that Peugeot has made the most of inside its baby body, but it's still never going to threaten a Pulsar or Corolla with people who want maximum space. It's roomy in the front, and not too bad in the back, but the boot is small and the overall cabin numbers trail most of its Asian rivals.It is pretty well built, but some of the plastic looks light and a run down a gravel road revealed a lot of stone noise under the wheels - a sign of a lightweight body without much protection below. If it were anything but a Peugeot I'd be worried, because it is noisy, but the company has always known how to make cars that last.The cabin has a slightly quirky rounded-body style, but the seats are comfy and the instruments and controls clear and simple. The driver's footwell is cramped, which means no room to stretch on highway runs, and that's been a constant complaint about compact Peugeots - the switch from left-hand-drive never seems to provide enough space, though at least the pedals are farther apart in the XT.The manual gearshift was light and easy to use, like the power steering, and the latest twin-cam engine was a delight.  It felt more like a 1.8 in a first run in the automatic and had surprisingly strong mid-range surge, an impression cemented by the manual.The numbers aren't huge, but keeping the engine spinning in the 2000-4000-rev range liberates the bulk of power and torque and allows the XT to cover ground briskly.  The engine gets a bit thrashy at the top end, another reason not too push too hard, but it always hooks up strongly with the next gear and the throttle response is excellent.The XT's ride was among the very best for a small car, but handling is worrying. The front end grips well, and it is balanced in slow corners, but pushing too briskly in quick corners can unsettle the tail.  Still, the brakes are good, the horn fair and the headlights brilliant.I've overlooked the 206 in recent times, but the extra go from the new engine, combined with good-value prices, has revitalised its appeal.The bottom line3/5 Sporty; well priced.* One of the hidden jewels in the small car ranks.Peugeot 206 XT Price: Manual $22,990 as testedEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder with double overhead camshafts and fuel injectionPower: 82kW at 5750revsTorque: 147Nm at 4000revsTransmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel-driveBody: four-door hatchbackDimensions: Length 3835mm, width 1652mm, height 1432mm, wheelbase 2442mm tracks 1425mm/1416mm front/rearWeight: 1100kgFuel Tank: 50 litresFuel Consumption: average on test 8.6 litres/100kmSteering: power-assisted rack-and-pinionSuspension: fully independent with front MacPherson struts and trailing arm rear with anti-roll barsBrakes: four-wheel discsWheels: 5.5x14Tyres: 185/65 R14Warranty: two years/unlimited kilometres