FROM 205 TO 208 IN 30 YEARS

It’s happy birthday 205 as Peugeot celebrates with a worthy successor - the new Peugeot 208


On the 15th February 1983 the 205 was born. Although the 201, 202, 203 and 204 came before it, it would be the 205 that really put Peugeot on the world map.

Some 5.3 million models went on to be made before production ended in 1999. Its replacement, the hugely successful 206, has now reached the 8 million production mark making it the best-selling Peugeot model ever in the history of the Company. In the last 30 years, over 17 million 2 series vehicles have been produced by Peugeot in the B car segment.

Today the number may have changed (the new 208 was launched in the UK in June 2012 and succeeded the 207), but the success of Peugeot’s Supermini continues.

In December 2012, just a few months after its launch, the 208 was on top of the European B segment and ended the year with 220,000 sales across Europe.

Produced in France (Poissy) and in Slovakia (Trnava), the 208 was launched in Europe in spring 2012 and reached the UK at the end of June. In a few months, sales will commence in the Russian and South American markets.

The 208 has already recorded a rich mix since launch, with 38% of customers choosing high level versions, the Allure and Feline.

By the end of 2012, 23,000 orders had been received for the new 208 in the UK. This, combined with over 17,000 cars already on the road, makes it one of the fastest selling Peugeots of all time.

The New Year has continued at a pace with 208 orders rising, up 45% in the first six weeks compared to the same period in 2012 for the 207.

The 205 was a ground-breaking product back in 1983 and with the 208, Peugeot returns to form with a car with a wider choice of new engines (3- and 4-cylinder petrol, very low CO2 diesels from 87g/km and all below 100g/km), and a car that is lighter and smaller on the outside yet bigger on the inside than its predecessor.

In April, one of the most anticipated new cars of 2013 comes to market in the shape of the new 208 GTi. Some 29 years since the launch of that iconic car of the ‘80s; the modern day successor to the 205 GTi will deliver a desirable package of style and image with performance in spades.

An awful lot has changed in the world in 30 years, but Peugeot can still be relied on to deliver a winner.

Source: Peugeot

Available from Veloce!
Peugeot 205 GTI – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Jon Blackburn

The Essential Buyer’s Guide carefully describes the 205 GTI models that enthusiasts love to drive and own, from the pioneering 1.6 GTi, through various developments to the 1.9 GTI. The CTI cabriolet is also covered. When you consider a potential purchase armed with this book, it’s just like have a Peugeot 205 expert by your side. Buy the right car at the right price.
More info.

PUG1OFF OFFERS UPDATES TO ICONIC 205 GTI

Independent Peugeot specialist offering updates to iconic 205 GTI.
Up to 195 bhp available & chassis dynamics to match.

Produced from 1984 to 1993, the Peugeot 205 GTI is rightly regarded as the definitive hot hatch from its era. Fast forward to 2012 and thanks to effective corrosion proofing from the factory and robust mechanicals, the 205 GTI is still a popular sight on the UK’s roads – and racing circuits – where it continues to be a trackday favourite.

However, with a maximum of 130 bhp on tap from its 8-valve, 1905cc XU9 engine the 205 GTI can struggle to keep up with the performance demands of 21st century motoring, particularly for the discerning enthusiast.

Advances in suspension and braking technology in the intervening period open up similar scope for dynamic improvement on the 205 GTI, enabling it to potentially punch above its weight and beyond its years.

However, the challenge is to achieve a wholesale performance upgrade without undermining the cohesive, involving nature of the 205 GTI’s driving experience. Answering this challenge requires comprehensive expertise on the 205 GTI and the Peugeot range in general, which is where Pug1off comes in.

THE PUG1OFF XU10J4RS ENGINE CONVERSION:

In this spirit Brackley based marque specialists Pug1off embarked on a comprehensive update program for supplied customer 205 GTI’s, based around a number of key components sourced from later Peugeot models.

The core of the Pug1off conversion is an engine transplant using the free-revving and reliable 1998cc, DOHC, 16-valve XU10J4RS powerplant from the 1990’s 306 GTI-6 / Rallye.

Aside from a slight amount of clearance relief on the 205 GTI’s slam panel this powerplant is a straight swap into the engine bay onto the car’s original 5-speed BE3 transmission. And with 167 bhp available in car weighing just 895 kilos, this delivers sparkling performance, producing a 205 GTI with a power to weight ratio of 186
bhp per ton.

Supplied and installed with a new clutch, cambelt and water pump, Pug1off charges £2220.00 for the XU10J4RS engine transplant on a drive in / drive out basis into customer supplied 205 GTI’s, including 12 month / 10,000 road mile warranty.

However, because each Peugeot 205 GTI is an individual, Pug1off offers a number of optional extras to upgrade performance yet further:-

OPTIONAL ENGINE UPGRADES
OPTIONAL TRANSMISSION UPGRADE
OPTIONAL BRAKE UPGRADES
OPTIONAL SUSPENSION UPGRADE
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
PAINTWORK & RESTORATION SERVICES

Pug1off can also source Peugeot 205 GTI base cars for customers on request.

Source: Pug1off

Stop! Don’t buy a 205 GTI without buying this book first!

Peugeot 205 GTI – The Essential Buyer’s Guide

By Jon Blackburn

The Essential Buyer’s Guide carefully describes the 205 GTI models that enthusiasts love to drive and own, from the pioneering 1.6 GTi, through various developments to the 1.9 GTI. The CTI cabriolet is also covered. When you consider a potential purchase armed with this book, it’s just like have a Peugeot 205 expert by your side. Buy the right car at the right price.

More info

CASH-STRAPPED COMMUTERS SWITCH TO SCOOTERS

The recent announcement of record increases in the prices of rail season tickets could explain the current boom in scooter sales. During August registrations of new scooters jumped by 29.8%, as half a million rail passengers faced the prospect of the biggest leap in ticket costs since privatisation in 1995.

Sales of scooters were already running at 20% above the previous year, but the spike in August would appear to underline concerns that cash-strapped commuters could no longer afford the "eye-wateringly expensive" rail fares, as described by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, and were seeking alternative ways to get to work.
Richard Davies of Peugeot Scooters reports that sales in Greater London have trebled so far this year; "Over the past couple of years Peugeot have introduced several new 50cc and 125cc scooters aimed specifically at customers looking for affordable everyday transport and as a direct result our sales in general are up 75% and in the London area we're looking at a 211% increase."

Peugeot's 125cc Vivacity scooter sells for £2099, costs just £16 per year to tax and can get a commuter to work and back for a week on just one gallon of fuel (based on an average UK commuting distance of 8.5 miles).

Richard Davies adds; "It's not only the cost of public transport that's driving customers into Peugeot Scooters' showrooms, it's also the attraction of being able to ride from door-to-door without the hassle of queues, cramped conditions or cancellations."

Source: peugeotscooters.co.uk.

Caring for your Scooter - How to maintain & service your 49cc to 125cc twist & go scooter
By Trevor Fry

This book is aimed at the rider who wants to do his or her own basic scooter maintenance and servicing without the need for in-depth mechanical knowledge, or a technical manual. It covers areas such as oil, brakes, tyres, transmission, electrics, etc, allowing the owner to address the most regularly serviced items without forking out for additional costs. Illustrated with full colour photographs throughout, and featuring clear, easy-to-follow instructions, this book is a must-have for scooter users.
More info.

205 GTI IS APP OF THE WEEK IN AUTO EXPRESS!

Peugeot 205 GTI - The Essential Buyer's Guide is awarded App of the week in Auto Express magazine! Back in 2010, the VW Golf GTI app received the same accolade. More apps on the way!

Here is a demonstration video of the 205 GTI app on the iPhone & iPad.

NEW iPHONE APP! PEUGEOT 205 GTI - EBG

A first for Veloce: simultaneous publication of a book and an app!
The Peugeot 205GTI book is the 53rd in Veloce's popular Essential Buyer's Guide series covering classic and sports cars and motorbikes. However, we are particularly proud of this new app - our 6th - as it features video footage of the author taking us around a typical Peugeot 205GTI and telling us exactly where to look for problems. Here we have the best of both worlds: the book can cover some aspects of car examination in more depth, while the facility for video and sound in the app means that it can be entertaining and provide another level of information in a very understandable form. The app was made and filmed entirely in-house in Veloce's Dorchester-based workshop and studio.

In 1984 Peugeot launched the 205 1.6 GTI, which not only changed Peugeot's image forever, but also set a new benchmark for ‘hot hatches' eight years after the legendary Golf GTI had raised the bar.
Weak points, rust traps, and potential mechanical defects are all laid bare by an expert for the would be buyer.
Clear 205-specific photos illustrate problem areas and good points too, as well as model variations. The author also embraces customized and mechanically modified cars.
In the book, a unique points scoring system lets you evaluate your potential purchase like an expert and also to determine which price category it should fall into.
With both mileage and particularly condition having a marked affect on potential prices, the author gives sound advice on what is worth restoring and what, however tempting, is likely to cost a new owner an unrecoverable fortune.
In the app, author Jon Blackburn, is seen examining the exterior, interior and engine compartment, and showing us exactly where problems are to be found.

• Written by long term 205 GTI enthusiast and owner, Jon Blackburn
• Covers 205 GTI & CTI Cabriolet
• Includes the special editions such as the Miami Blue and Sorrento Green
• Covers popular modifications to look for when buying – lowered suspension, 16-valve engines and brake upgrades
• Key points you must check before you buy
• Targets would-be owners on a budget, as well as those prepared to splash out on a top car
• Defines original engine specifications (1580cc & 1905cc) and vital statistics
• Features informative videos with voice-over from marque expert Jon Blackburn

The app can be downloaded from Apple's App Store and will work on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (iOS 4.0 or later).

Click here to see an iTunes preview of the app!
Click here for more info about the book!

PEUGEOT 205 GTI - NEW APP IN THE MAKING

Here's a few images of a 15 minute evaluation video we recorded last week in the Veloce inspection pit. Peugeot 205 GTI marque expert, Jon Blackburn was providing the voiceover for the video, which will feature as part of a forthcoming iPhone/iPad app. The app is based on the recently published book Peugeot 205 GTI – The Essential Buyer’s Guide.

New!
Peugeot 205 GTI – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Jon Blackburn

The Essential Buyer’s Guide carefully describes the 205 GTI models that enthusiasts love to drive and own, from the pioneering 1.6 GTI, through various developments to the 1.9 GTI. The GTI cabriolet is also covered. When you consider a potential purchase armed with this book, it’s just like have a Peugeot 205 expert by your side. Buy the right car at the right price.
More info.

GOOD LUCK KRIS MEEKE AND PAUL NAGLE IN THEIR FINAL RALLY FOR PEUGEOT UK

Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle have just one aim in this year’s Rally Scotland, to finish their 2010 IRC campaign on the top step of the podium.


The RACMSA Rally Scotland will be the last rally in which the boys will compete for Peugeot UK, as next year they will leave the team to take up a new challenge in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Last year’s inaugural Rally Scotland was dominated by Kris and Paul and this year they will be totally focused on putting on another good show for all their fans and bowing out of the IRC in style.

Kris and Paul’s Peugeot UK 207 S2000 will be in action over a total of twelve gravel stages covering 196.44 kilometres. The rally starts on Friday with two runs through the grounds of Scone Palace near Perth, a mixture of asphalt and gravel road sections, totalling 3.37 kilometres. This year’s stage is much longer than in 2009 so it will be important to set a good time to ensure a good result at the end of the rally.

Saturday sees the cars take on three stages located north-west of Perth including the 17.68 kilometre Errochty stage. The three stages will be run twice before the cars finish back at the Perth Service area, early Saturday evening.

The final day of the rally consists of four stages before the winner will be crowned at Stirling Castle on Sunday afternoon.

New! Kris Meeke – Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion
By Simon McBride
The story of how Kris Meeke and Peugeot UK won the Intercontinental Rally Championship in their rookie year, from the disastrous opening round in Monte Carlo, to the ecstasy of winning the San Remo rally and the Championship in the same weekend. This is the gripping tale of how Kris and Peugeot defied expectations and made their mark on this highly competitive championship. There are those who felt that Kris was quick but lacked the consistency to succeed at the highest level – but the man from Dungannon proved them wrong in the style of his mentor and rally legend, Colin McRae.
The best of Kris is still to come ... More info.

KRIS MEEKE AND PAUL NAGLE HEAD BACK TO SANREMO WHERE THEY SECURED THEIR 2009 IRC TITLE

The glamorous Italian Riviera town of Sanremo will become the venue for the last tarmac rally of this year’s 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).

It was twelve months ago that the twisty and testing mountain roads of Sanremo provided the stage for Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle to secure the 2009 IRC Drivers’ Championship. This year, with a mathematical chance of retaining the title, Kris and Paul will be back with one aim only, to repeat last year’s victory.

With no fewer than 32 S2000 cars entered into the rally the competition will be fierce. Contained in the entry are also all the past winners since 2004 as well as a number of local specialists.

The Sanremo rally will also see five of the latest Peugeot 207 S2000 Evolutions go head-to-head with the revised Skoda Fabria S2000, introduced earlier in the year. The 207 Evolution model benefits from a number of performance enhancements including a new 300 bhp engine, new front suspension, optimised gearbox and transmission, upgraded brakes and suspension dampers. These modifications will ensure the Peugeot 207 S2000 remains the reference vehicle for the category.

The rally will be contested over eleven special stages with a total distance of 220.03 kilometres, including the 44 km Ronde stage in the dark on Friday night. Careful management of tyres and brakes will be vital for success in this year’s rally and the “Evolution” revisions to the Peugeot 207 S2000 will give the Peugeot drivers an added advantage.
Source:Peugeot

New! Kris Meeke – Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion
By Simon McBride

The story of how Kris Meeke and Peugeot UK won the Intercontinental Rally Championship in their rookie year, from the disastrous opening round in Monte Carlo, to the ecstasy of winning the Sanremo rally and the Championship in the same weekend. More info.

PEUGEOT UK'S KRIS MEEKE & PAUL NAGLE TAKE A WELL-EARNED SECOND IN THE AZORES

Peugeot scored a dramatic one-two in this weekend’s SATA Rally Azores, the seventh round of this year’s Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC).

This result was the first one-two finish for Peugeot in this year’s IRC campaign and is great testimony to the strength of the Peugeot 207 S2000 rally car and the determined drives by Peugeot Portugal’s Bruno Magalhaes and Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke.

It was Bruno who crossed the line first to take his maiden IRC victory with Kris and co-driver Paul Nagle in second and, more importantly a good solid finish after their recent run of bad luck.

It was not an easy weekend of rallying for Kris and Paul, however, who had to overcome a number of hurdles on the way to their second place finish. The rally kicked off on Thursday with three special stages and, as the victor of last year’s rally, Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke would be the first car to tackle the stages. The first five finishers from these stages would be reversed for the second day so it was important not to be fifth as, sweeping the stages for the drivers on day two, would be a big disadvantage.

Kris, however, was only able to set the fifth fastest time on the opening stage. He found the stage very difficult due to the loose surface gravel which he cleaned out of the way for the cars behind. “You could see the times of the guys running further back were much faster than those running up front and that was definitely the case for me” said Kris.

Stage two saw a tactical move from Kris when he dropped time to ensure he dropped back in the order to sixth and thereby ensure he was not going to be the first car on the road for day two. This honour fell to local driver Bernardo Sousa who would finish day one in fifth place. At the end of the first day, Skoda’s Juho Hanninen held a slender lead over Peugeot Portugal’s Bruno Magalhaes in his 207 S2000 and Andreas Mikkelsen in his Fiesta S2000; Kris finished in sixth 12.3 seconds behind the leader.

With the first five drivers starting in reverse order for day two, Kris would be sixth on the road and would now benefit from the drivers in front sweeping the loose gravel off the stages.

Unfortunately, it seemed like the Peugeot UK team’s bad luck had returned when Kris and Paul picked up a puncture on the first stage of the day. However, other drivers also picked up punctures and Kris and Paul finished the stage fifth overall. The impact which had caused the puncture had also upset the front suspension settings and on special stage six Kris spun the car and lost more time. On returning to the Service Park, the Peugeot UK team changed the set-up of the Peugeot UK 207 S2000 and Kris and Paul proceeded to set the second fastest time on special stage seven and the fastest time on eight. On special stage nine, Kris and Paul gave it everything they had and took eighteen seconds out of the next placed driver, Andreas Mikkelsen demoting him to fifth place overall and taking his fourth place position. Running in fourth place would also prevent Kris being the first car on the road for the final day when the running order was reversed again.

Sadly, special stage ten was to undo all Kris and Paul’s hard work as they picked up another puncture dropping them back into fifth place. With no spare wheel after the puncture, Kris and Paul had to drive carefully in special stages eleven and twelve and returned back to the Service Park physically drained and disappointed that they would be the first car on the road for the final day.

At the end of the second day, Peugeot Portugal’s Bruno Magalhaes was leading the rally by 2.2 seconds from Skoda’s Juho Hanninen with Kris, fifth, 51.7 seconds behind.

The final day of the SATA rally Azores was to be just as dramatic as the first two. Leaving the Service Park for the final seven stages, Kris and Paul’s first target was to get the fourth place position back off Andreas Mikkelsen who was 2.8 seconds in front of them. The first stage of the day, Kris set the fourth fastest time and moved ahead of Mikkelsen who was only able to set the sixth quickest time.

This is Kris and Paul’s second podium finish of the year and puts them back into contention for the 2010 IRC Drivers’ crown. The next round of the IRC is on the Portuguese island of Madeira (August 5-7) and the Peugeot 207 S2000s of Meeke and Magalhaes will be out to claim another set of podium positions.

Source: Peugeot

New! Kris Meeke – Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion
By Simon McBride

The story of how Kris Meeke and Peugeot UK won the Intercontinental Rally Championship in their rookie year, from the disastrous opening round in Monte Carlo, to the ecstasy of winning the San Remo rally and the Championship in the same weekend. This is the gripping tale of how Kris and Peugeot defied expectations and made their mark on this highly competitive championship. There are those who felt that Kris was quick but lacked the consistency to succeed at the highest level – but the man from Dungannon proved them wrong in the style of his mentor and rally legend, Colin McRae. The best of Kris is still to come ...
More info.