Our managing editor gets to drive a rarity on the SA car scene, a mint Peugeot 205 GTi.

There are several instantly recognisable alpha/numeric combinations in the motoring world. Among the myriad are 911, GTR, M3 and, probably best known across all continents, G-T-I. South Africans are well aware of the GTI from Wolfsburg as VW’s Golf, arguably, helped create the hot hatch segment. But VW isn’t the only automaker to use these famous letters.

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A Famous Name… But Not Here

Less well-known in the local context is the Peugeot 205 GTi, a car that heralded the French Lion as a serious player in the hot hatch arena. The 205 GTi immediately earned praise by being a driving machine created for the enthusiast, when it was launched in 1984. Later this little hatch would be the platform for Peugeot’s Group B rally cars. In the hands of the legendary Ari Vatanen, these bespoke bonkers racecars went on to dominate the closing years of that exciting series.

Click here to learn about the famous Vatanen Salute.

A Beautiful Example

Until not that long ago my experiences of the 205 GTi were limited to what I had read. So when I was presented with an opportunity to sample a pristine example right here in the Cape, I grabbed the chance with both hands. This beautiful example is owned by Peugeot lover, and active member of the (classic) Peugeot club in the Western Cape, Johan Loubscher. His 1987 205 is one of the rarer right-hand-drive versions.

Johan’s car features the larger 1,9-litre motor as opposed to the 1,6-litre unit of earlier cars. The larger of the two engines was rated at 97 kW. That’s a decent amount in a car that weighed less than 900 kg. When compared to modern counterparts the 205 is tiny. It has minimal front and rear overhangs; the rear bodywork falls away behind the rear wheels.

Behind the Wheel

Even a mid-level hatch nowadays, and many SUVs, can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds. Technology has really moved the game on, but driving the 205 was not a disappointing experience. A lack of power steering compromised low-speed manoeuvrability as it requires plenty of arm muscle.

However, once moving the heavy steering action is forgotten. The view from the driver’s chair is excellent as the car has plenty of glass and thin pillars, which makes it feel far more spacious than it is. The driving position is also more upright and less reclined than many modern hatches.

Still Alert and Alive

When new, the 1,9-litre motor was criticised for not being as rev-happy as the smaller engine, relying rather on mid-range torque. As this car’s engine is quite old, I was not keen to rev it to the nether regions. At any rate, the inline four sounded throaty as it zinged up and down the rev-counter.

The small naturally aspirated motor was a treat. But it was trumped by turn-in that is crisp and without any slack, which is probably why the 205 was well suited to competition. Even a car with decades under its belt felt alive and alert through the steering and seat of the pants.

Grip levels aren’t as high as what we’ve become accustomed to today, but in its day it must have been a blast to drive quickly. That unassisted steering also sends loads of feedback through to the palms. I suspect that to really hustle a 205 GTi quickly must’ve taken a great deal of skill as the short wheelbase was responsible for plenty of lift-off oversteer – cool.

Another Tick Off the List

The 205 GTi was one of those cars that I had dreamt of driving as a youngster. With the rarity of examples on SA soil, I didn’t think that I’d ever get the chance to do so. By the good graces of a fellow petrolhead, I was lucky enough to steer one of the cars from my list of “must drives”. Thankfully the French GTi delivered on all that I had read those many years ago.

QUICK FACTS

Price: n/a

Engine: 1,9-litre, inline four

Power: 97 kW

Torque: 161 N.m

Claimed fuel consumption: n/a

Transmission: five-speed manual

UPDATE: Johan has subsequently sold the 205 GTi, which has left him heart sore.