PEUGEOT

GALLIC CHARM Models Covered: (3 DR 2.0 [GTI, GTI180]/ 3 & 5DR/SW 1.1 [L, LX, STYLE, S]/ 1.4 [LX, GLX, ROLAND GARROS, S, SE, QUICKSLIVER, URBAN, VERVE]/ 1.6 [XS, GLX, ROLAND GARROS, XSI, SE, SPORT]/ 1.9D [L, LX]/ 2.0HDI [D TURBO, LX, GLX, ECO, XSI, S, SPORT] 1.6HDI [HDI GTI] 1.4HDI [STYLE, S, SE, URBAN, VERVE])

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Peugeot's 206 had a tough act to follow. It's predecessor, the 205, had dominated European supermini sales in the Eighties and proved difficult to replace. The British-built 206 quickly found favour however, with striking looks and careful packaging. Used buyers seem to find it equally appealing.

At UK launch in November 1998, it was initially hard to see where the 206 was going to fit in. The supermini sector had for so long in Peugeot's case been filled either by the smaller 106 or three door versions of the 306 family hatchback that it seemed the French maker had forgotten the need for a supermini to directly take on the class-leading Fiesta. Initial choice was of three petrol engines – a 1.1, a 1.4 and a 1.6 – plus a 1.9-litre diesel. Trim choices were L (only for the diesel and 1.1-litre models), LX and GLX, plus a sporty 3-door XS designation for the 1.6. In April 1999 the luxurious, glass roof and leather-trimmed Roland Garros appeared with the 1.4-litre engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. In June 1999, a 2.0-litre GTi model was added to the range and, by the end of that year, the manual Roland Garros had gained a 1.6-litre engine. There was also a new 2.0-litre turbo diesel HDi unit, offered in LX and GLX forms, plus sporty D Turbo guise. The year 2000 saw a GT flagship limited edition sporting model at the top of the range, a spin-off from the ongoing rally programme. For model year 2001, the stunning 206 Coupe Cabrio was unveiled, with folding hard top roof. The 1.6-litre petrol engine was replaced by a 110bhp 1.6 16v unit which also powered the warm hatch XSi version (replacing the XS). The 2.0 HDi engine was now available to entry-level Style customers, the car carrying an ‘Eco’ badge. ‘Multiplex’ wiring technology was adopted in late 2001 to provide many of the big car features that would keep the 206 ahead of the chasing pack. ‘Self-thinking’ SMART airbags that respond to the force of an impact were now standard, as was a passenger airbag deactivation warning, doors which automatically unlock in an accident, a door ajar warning light, a plip key car location device and a separate digital display for the stereo, thus rendering it less thief-friendly. Early 2002 saw the introduction of a new alternative for diesel customers, the 1.4-litre HDi powerplant. This lightweight engine redressed many of the reservations some buyers had about diesels in small cars. Summer 2002 saw the introduction of the 206 SW, a compact estate version of the ever popular hatch and in Spring 2003 a ripsnorting 180bhp version of the 206GTi was unveiled. Shortly thereafter, the 206 was subtly facelifted to the tune of a honeycomb grille, the obligatory clear headlight lenses and a bigger chromed Peugeot lion badge on the back. Uniform coloured rear light lenses were also introduced and sportier models got body coloured side rubbing strips and bumper inserts. Then more changes for the 2004 model year. Trim levels were split into Classic and Sports Ranges. Classic was comprised of Style, S and SE while Sports included Quicksilver, XSi, XSi HDi and GTi. A 16-valve version of the 1.4-litre petrol engine was added as was the Tiptronic gearbox. Later that year, Peugeot launched the GTi HDi – a diesel hot hatch powered by a 1.6-litre HDi engine with 110bhp. The run out models introduced to clear the way for the launch of the 207 were badged Urban, Verve, Sport and GTi. The range was later slimed down again with only the Look trim level being offered.

Murat Gunak and his design team aimed to create a combination of VW build quality, Ford handling and Vauxhall value in the 206. Though not recording a perfect score in any of these areas, the little Peugeot performs well enough to score highly as a strong supermini all-rounder. Step inside and it's just like every other Peugeot you've ever sat in. Though the dark plastics used are rather sombre, the materials chosen are light and attractive. You wouldn't mistake this for an up-market saloon but it's an environment you'd be quite happy with, even on a long journey. Rear seat accommodation isn't one of the 206's strongpoints – but then you could say the same about most of the other cars in this sector. At least the boot is a reasonable size, thanks to compact rear suspension. As for the styling, well, make up your own mind: most think that that nose looks just great bearing down on you from behind. Our only comments are practical ones; the rear doors could be larger and the top of the tailgate is so low that it slightly cuts into the interior mirror's field of view.

The earliest S-registered 1.1-litre L 3-door 206s start from around £1,795 if you can find one. You'll more likely come across later T and V-registered models at around £1,865-£2,100. Expect to pay a £300 premium for five-door equivalent models and a £400 premium for plusher LXs. The 1.4 litre cars start in LX form on 98S-plates for under £2,030 (later 99T and 99V-platers at £2,110-£2,385) with a £300 premium for 5-doors and a £600 premium for plusher GLX trim. The 1.6-litre models start from under £2,495 in 3-door-only XS trim (£2,515-£2,845 for later T and V-platers): pay a premium of £100 for the 5-door-only GLX. The normally aspirated 1.9-litre diesel starts in 3-door-only LD form from around £2,145 on an S-plate (later T and V-platers at around £2,000). Pay a £1,000 premium for plusher LX models, a trim level that also offers the option of 5-doors (£1,300 premium). 1.4HDI diesels start at £3,095 for a Style on 51 plates. If you need a heftier 2-litre engine capacity there are two choices: The 206 GTi with petrol power (from under £3,025 on a T-plate to over £4,180 on a Y-plate) or the 2.0-litre HDi diesel that arrived on a 2000 V-plate (starting at £2,965).

Not much goes wrong, though the Blaupunkt stereo system fitted in early GLX, GTi and Roland Garros models can be troublesome and some of the plastic fittings can prove a bit flimsy. Watch out for thrashed GTi models.

(based on a 206 1.4 with air con & power steering ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £100. Front brakepads are around £35, rear brake shoes around £37, a full exhaust about £265, a starter motor about £100 and an alternator around £145. A replacement headlamp is about £60.

On the road, it's much as you might expect, given the impressive abilities of other cars from the company's stable. Class-leading attributes include the slick gearchange and the absorbent suspension. And handling? Well, unlike its 205 predecessor, the 206 advances the science no further in this respect – the class standard is these days too good for that. Nor, unlike the 205, is it the kind of car that enthusiasts will find excuses to drive (except in GTi form). The power steering is a little light and the body roll a little too pronounced. Having said that, traction is excellent and it's possible to get into a fast, fluid driving rhythm that few other cars could sustain. None of the eight valve engines are particularly fast or refined (rest to 60 takes 13.2s in the 1.4 on the way to 106mph) but they are class-leading frugal (expect to average around 43mpg in this model).

Though not the overall class-leader that the 205 was, the 206 is a strong contender in the crowded supermini sector. The British build quality is strong, it's good to drive and inexpensive to own, especially in diesel form.