The Peugeot 205 was introduced in the UK in September 1983 as a five-door Hatchback with a transversely-mounted engine and transmission assembly driving the front wheels. The suspension is of front coil springs and rear transverse torsion bars. Three engine sizes were originally available, featuring a chain driven overhead camshaft design mounted directly over the transmission. The GTi was introduced in the Spring of 1984 and was fitted with a belt-driven overhead camshaft engine with a side-mounted transmission. The GTI engine is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel injection system. In October 1984 three-door versions became available, with an X series designation, in addition to the three-door GTI. Van versions were introduced in June 1985, together with the limited edition Lacoste, based on the GT version. In September 1985 the XT was introduced, being a three-door version of the GT, and at the same time the 954 cc XL three-door was introduced, having a higher specification than the XE. The 1580 cc Automatic was introduced in April 1986 at the same time as the Cabriolet CTI. The XS replaced the XT in July 1986, at which time the limited edition Junior, based on the XE, became available. The 1.9 GTI was introduced in August 1986, and at the same time dim-dip headlights and rear seat belts were fitted as standard. In December 1987 the new TU engines and MA transmissions were fitted to all except fuel injection, diesel and automatic models. Latest models feature single- and multi-point fuel injection, with full emission control equipment and a sophisticated engine management system.
Read the rest of this entry »