Peugeot 206
| File:Peugeot Logo 2010.svg Peugeot logo | |
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Peugeot 205 |
| Founded | May 1998 |
| Founder | Peugeot |
| Successor | Peugeot 207 |
| Headquarters | Poissy and Mulhouse , France |
Area served | Worldwide (Europe, South America, China, Middle East, Asia) |
| Products | Supermini cars (hatchback, coupé cabriolet, station wagon, sedan) |
| Parent | PSA Group (Peugeot) |
| Website | www |
The Peugeot 206 is a supermini (B-segment) automobile designed by the French automaker Peugeot, introduced in May 1998 as the successor to the Peugeot 205. Known internally as project T1, its initial release was a hatchback model in September 1998,[1] followed by the coupé cabriolet variant (206 CC) in September 2000,[2] the station wagon version (206 SW) in September 2001,[3] and a sedan (206 SD) launched in Iran in September 2005.[4] This generation was eventually replaced by the Peugeot 207 in April 2006.
A refreshed edition first appeared in South America in September 2008,[5] and subsequently in China by November 2008,[6] offering hatchback, sedan, and station wagon body styles under the names 207 Compact or simply 207.[7] Europe received this revamped model as the 206+ hatchback only from February 2009 onward.[8] In South America, where assembly took place in Argentina and Brazil, it continued to be sold as the 207 Compact until January 2017,[9] while in China it was marketed both as the 207 and rebadged as the Citroën C2.[10]
With over eight million units sold by 2012, the Peugeot 206 remains Peugeot’s top-selling vehicle.[11] As of April 2024, its updated version is still being produced under license by IKCO in Iran. Regarding durability, Autocar magazine ranked it among the thirty longest-produced single-generation cars worldwide as of 2020.[12]
Project
During the early 1990s, Peugeot opted not to immediately replace the Peugeot 205, considering that superminis were becoming less profitable. Instead, they introduced the Peugeot 106 in 1991 to capture entry-level buyers from the 205 range, and then launched the Peugeot 306 in 1993 aimed at customers seeking a higher segment than the 205. This approach was intended to phase out the 205 gradually by offering smaller or larger alternatives. However, as rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo increased their market presence, Peugeot experienced declining sales due to lacking a direct supermini competitor. This led to the introduction of the Peugeot 206 in 1999 as a belated successor to the 205.
On April 7, 1994, then-CEO Jacques Calvet authorized development of project T1, targeting a launch date set for 1997. The design team was spearheaded by Head of Design Murat Günak along with designer . The styling was completed within six months after approval, followed by a development period lasting 34 months before production commenced. The total investment reached 6.3 billion francs, marking Peugeot’s inaugural use of digital prototypes and crash simulation technology during development. Prototypes underwent rigorous testing at Belchamp circuit within Valentigney forest. Since PSA Group did not possess an existing platform suitable for this segment (the Peugeot 106 shared its underpinnings with the Citroën Saxo), Peugeot engineered an entirely new front-wheel-drive chassis for the 206.
Powertrain
At launch, the 206 hatchback featured petrol engines of sizes 1.1L, 1.4L, and 1.6L alongside a 1.9L diesel option; later on, an HDi common rail diesel variant was introduced. In 1999, a sportier 2.0L GTi model delivering was added to the lineup, followed by the enhanced Peugeot 206 RC (marketed as GTi 180 in the UK) in 2003, which accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds and reached a top speed of with . The model range expanded further in 2001 with introduction of the coupé convertible (206 CC) featuring a retractable steel roof, and a station wagon (206 SW). Additionally, Iran Khodro developed a four-door notchback sedan variant launched at the end of 2005 aimed at markets including Iran, North Africa, China, Russia, Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
Production and distribution
The Peugeot 206 was mainly manufactured at Peugeot's facilities in Poissy and Mulhouse, France, until December 2012, with additional assembly at the Ryton plant in the United Kingdom. Beyond Europe, production took place in various countries including Iran (Iran Khodro), Chile (targeting Mexican and Colombian markets), Argentina (PSA), Brazil (PSA), Uruguay (Oferol), China (Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën), Indonesia (Gaya Motor), and Malaysia (Naza). A minor update in 2003 brought features such as clear lens headlights, redesigned rear light clusters, new side indicators, chrome badging, refreshed paint options, and subtle interior enhancements.
Following the launch of the Peugeot 207, manufacturing at Ryton ended on 12 December 2006. Production was then relocated to Slovakia to optimize costs while preserving quality standards.
The 206 achieved significant commercial success throughout Europe, consistently ranking among the top-selling models from 2001 to 2003 and securing the UK Car of the Year title for three years running (1998–2001). The most popular version was the 1.4-litre XR. By May 2005, cumulative production had surpassed five million units since its initial release in September 1998. In the UK market, it remained within the top five best-selling new cars during its first six years and maintained strong resale values due to ongoing demand.
In Brazil, production commenced in Porto Real in 2001 starting with hatchback models and later expanded to include station wagons by 2005. Engine choices featured a Renault-sourced 1.0-litre unit alongside PSA's flexible-fuel 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines capable of running on petrol/ethanol blends; the smaller engine was phased out in 2006.
Argentinian manufacturing operated from July 1999 until December 2016 at Villa Bosch near Buenos Aires, offering trims from XR up to XTD with diesel variants powered by naturally aspirated DW engines; certain models incorporated locally produced Jeppener engines.
In May 2006, Malaysian automaker Naza introduced a locally assembled variant called the 206 Bestari. That same year marked the start of production in China by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, which launched a slightly altered Peugeot 206 marketed as the Citroën C2—distinct from the European Citroën C2 model.
206 SW (T12)
Peugeot unveiled a near-production prototype of the 206 SW ("Sports Wagon") in 2001 under the internal codename T12. The production version debuted in March 2002 at the Ryton factory, featuring a strengthened rear axle designed to support additional load. After Ryton's closure, manufacturing shifted to Poissy in 2007. Total production reached approximately 366,000 units before sales concluded in July 2006, when it was replaced by the 207 SW.
206 SD (T13; Sedan)
The notchback sedan variant, designated T13, was introduced in Iran in 2006 and developed by Peugeot Design Center specifically for Iran Khodro. This represented the final evolution of the 206 lineup.
Since its launch, Iran Khodro has exported the 206 SD to several countries including Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Algeria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia.
Production began in Brazil in October 2008 featuring a front fascia derived from the 206+, marketed under the name 207 Passion—distinct from Europe's Peugeot 207—and ceased by early 2015. This sedan was also distributed throughout Latin America in markets such as Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico.
In Malaysia and China, this model was produced locally and sold exclusively as the Peugeot 207 sedan.
Peugeot 206 CC (T16)
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2000, the Peugeot 206 CC drew inspiration from the Peugeot 20Coeur concept first displayed at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. This model is a coupé cabriolet equipped with an electrically operated retractable roof, utilizing the Georges Paulin mechanism initially introduced on the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse coupe.
Known internally as T16, the roof and trunk assemblies were produced by the French firm Heuliez in Cerizay, a specialist in limited-run vehicles such as convertibles. Heuliez was responsible for manufacturing, assembling, and painting these components, while the final assembly took place in Mulhouse. Production ceased in early 2008, with the model being replaced by the 207 CC.
Grand Tourisme
To comply with FIA length regulations for WRC vehicles, Peugeot developed the 206 Grand Tourisme, a road-going car extended from 3.83 meters to 4.0 meters. A total of 4,000 units were produced, each individually numbered; among these, 600 were right-hand drive versions intended for the UK market. The car incorporated mechanical parts planned for the forthcoming 206 GTI.
GTi 180 and RC
Introduced in 2003, the Peugeot 206 GTi 180 and 206 RC models brought enhanced performance to the range. The GTi 180 was sold primarily in the UK, while the RC targeted continental Europe. Both variants were powered by a 2.0-liter EW10J4S engine delivering , featuring variable valve timing and modified intake and exhaust manifolds. Additional enhancements included 17-inch alloy wheels, racing-style bucket seats, a shortened gear linkage for quicker shifts, and altered gearbox ratios aimed at boosting acceleration—achieving 0 to in just 7.4 seconds.
These editions paid tribute to Peugeot’s rally achievements between 2000 and 2003 and reflected the heritage of the legendary 205 GTi from the 1980s.
206 Escapade
Following a trend set by brands such as Fiat and Volkswagen, Peugeot introduced an off-road-oriented version of the 206 for select South American markets under the name Peugeot 206 Escapade. Essentially a ruggedized version of the 206 SW station wagon, it features an SUV-style body kit alongside reinforced suspension components and is powered by a 1.6L 16-valve engine.
Citroën C2 (T21)
In November 2006, Chinese joint venture Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën launched a variant of the Peugeot 206 called the Citroën C2. Although sharing its name with a European Citroën model, this Chinese-market C2 is essentially a rebadged 206 featuring redesigned front and rear body panels. In 2012, Citroën added a crossover-inspired version named C2 Cross. Production totaled nearly 80,000 units in China between 2006 and 2013.
Naza 206 Bestari
In Malaysia, the Peugeot 206 was marketed under the Naza brand as the Naza 206 Bestari. It came equipped with a 1.4L petrol engine (TU3JP) and offered both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission (AL4). This model was eventually replaced by the locally rebranded Naza 207 SD.
Powertrain
| Petrol engines | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Displacement | Output (Power, Torque@rpm) | Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | Top speed | Transmission | CO₂ emissions (g/km) |
| D4D | 999 cc (61.0 cu in) | 51 kW (69 hp; 70 PS) @5500, 93 N⋅m (69 lb⋅ft) @4200 | 18.6 s | 144 km/h (89 mph) | MA5 / AL4 | 155 |
| TU1JP | 1,124 cc (68.6 cu in) | 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) @5500, 94 N⋅m (69 lb⋅ft) @2700 | 15.4 s | 158 km/h (98 mph) | 148 | |
| TU3JP | 1,360 cc (83 cu in) | 55 kW (74 hp; 75 PS) @5250, 133 Nm lbft[convert: unknown unit] @3250 | 11.9 s | 187|km/h|mph|}
152 | ||
| 'TU3A' | '10.8 s' | '189 km/h (117 mph)' | '139' | |||
| 'ET3J4' | '66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS) @5500, 120 Nm lbft[convert: unknown unit] @2800' | '10.1 s' | '193 km/h' | '145' | ||
| Diesel engines | ||||||
| 'DW8' | '1868 cc' | '70 PS @4600 rpm,125 Nm @2500 rpm' | '15.2 s' | '161 km/h' | 'BE4' | '156 g/km' |
| 'DV4TD' | '1398 cc' | '68 PS @4000 rpm,160 Nm @2000 rpm' | '13.1 s' | '168 km/h' | 'BE4' | '112 g/km' |
| 'DW10TD' | '1997 cc' | '90 PS @4000 rpm,205 Nm @1900 rpm' | '11.7 s' | '180 km/h' | 'BE4' | '136 g/km' |
| 'DV6TED4' | '1560 cc' | '109 PS @4000 rpm,240 Nm @1750 rpm' | '9.9 s' | '186 km/h' | 'BE4' | '126 g/km' |
206+ (T31)
The 206+ represents a refreshed iteration of the 206, showcasing a front design and overall appearance reminiscent of the European 207. Production takes place in Mulhouse, France, with its market debut in February 2009.
In May 2008, Peugeot's Brazilian division opted not to produce or import the European 207. Instead, it chose to update the existing 206 by implementing modest mechanical enhancements such as improvements to the suspension and gearbox. Released in August 2008, this version occupies a position between the original 206 and the European 207, targeting competitors like the Volkswagen Fox, Renault Clio Campus, and Chevrolet Agile. Available body styles include 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, estate, and 4-door sedan variants, which also encompass an updated 207 Escapade.
In Argentina—where it is also manufactured—and Uruguay, this model is sold as the "207 Compact" to differentiate it from the European 207 CC and RC editions. Initially, Peugeot intended to name it "207 Brasil," but withdrew this plan following unfavorable media feedback. The Brazilian market version encountered criticism for being seen merely as a facelifted 206 despite its higher price point.
February 2009 marked Peugeot's announcement that production of this revamped model would commence at the Mulhouse facility for the European left-hand drive market under the "206+" nameplate. This decision was strategically aimed at countering Renault’s introduction of budget-friendly Dacia vehicles. By May 2009, Peugeot increased workforce numbers at Mulhouse by 450 employees to support manufacturing of both the 206+ and two-door Peugeot 308 models. The factory also exported this vehicle under the "207 Compact" designation to countries including Chile (starting in 2010), Mexico (between 2009 and 2011), and the Dominican Republic.
From October 2010 onward, Naza Group commenced assembly of the 207 sedan in Malaysia for distribution across right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Sri Lanka.
By May 2013, Peugeot ceased production of the 206+ in Europe due to rising demand for the newer Peugeot 208 alongside the launch of the 301, which is built upon the Peugeot 207’s platform.
Iranian production
In March 2010, Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), which had been manufacturing the Peugeot 206 domestically since 2001, introduced the "207i" hatchback with an annual production goal ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 units. Production was halted at the close of 2011 as international sanctions disrupted IKCO’s partnership with Peugeot, significantly affecting sales performance. Early in 2016, IKCO launched an Iranized version of the 207i that no longer relied on French components but instead utilized parts sourced locally from Iran as well as from India and China. This second generation debuted in 2017 with subtle design modifications and additional features such as a rearview camera and an infotainment system while maintaining the Peugeot branding despite severed official ties.
In December 2016, IKCO unveiled the 207i SD—a three-box sedan equipped exclusively with an automatic transmission powered by the TU5 engine. However, due to weak sales figures, this variant was discontinued by 2019.
Safety
The original Peugeot 206 earned a four-star rating for adult occupant protection and two stars for pedestrian safety from Euro NCAP in its 2000 assessment.
The most basic Latin American version of the 207 Compact without airbags received a one-star adult occupant score and two stars for child protection from Latin NCAP in 2010. When equipped with dual airbags, its rating improved to two stars for both adult and child occupants.
Motorsport
In 1999, Peugeot Sport unveiled the 206 WRC, making its debut during the 1999 World Rally Championship with prominent driver Gilles Panizzi. The vehicle rapidly found success, capturing both the manufacturers' and drivers' titles in 2000—marking Peugeot’s first championship triumph since their exit after the 1986 season. Key competitors for the team included Panizzi, Francois Delecour, and world champion Marcus Grönholm.
The 2001 season saw Grönholm joined by ex-SEAT racers Harri Rovanperä and Didier Auriol. Both drivers secured victories—Rovanperä at the Swedish Rally and Auriol at Rally Catalunya—before Auriol's departure at the end of the year. Although Grönholm faced reliability setbacks that limited him to fourth place overall, Peugeot successfully retained the manufacturers' crown with a 1–2 finish in the final event.
During 2002, Grönholm partnered with reigning champion Richard Burns, guiding Peugeot to a second drivers' championship and a third consecutive manufacturers' title with the 206 WRC. This period of dominance was often compared to Michael Schumacher’s era in Formula One. However, by 2003, the now-outdated 206 WRC encountered stiffer competition from newer contenders such as the Citroën Xsara WRC and Subaru Impreza WRC. This led to its replacement by the Peugeot 307 WRC, which introduced a coupé cabriolet design instead of a hatchback body.
The Peugeot 206 WRC was honored with the Autosport "Rally Car of the Year" award in 2002.
Also in 2002, Peugeot GB established the Peugeot 206 Cup, a single-make rally series aimed at nurturing emerging drivers. Constructed by Vic Lee Racing, this series featured talents like Tom Boardman, Luke Pinder, and Garry Jennings. A comparable championship was also active in France.
Advertising
In 2003, Peugeot released a memorable television advertisement for the Peugeot 206, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen with Creative Direction from Roberto Greco and Giovanni Porro of Euro RSCG Milan. Titled "The Sculptor," the commercial portrayed a young man in India who transforms a battered Hindustan Ambassador into a dented imitation of the 206, emphasizing the car’s allure. The soundtrack was "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" performed by Raja Mushtaq, later reworked into "Husan" by Bhangra Knights.
This advertisement garnered numerous distinguished international accolades:
- Gold, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2003, Cars category.
- Gold, Clio Awards 2003, Automotive category.
- Gold, ADC*E 2003, TV Commercials category.
- The Cresta Awards 2003.
- Grand Prix, International Car Advertising Film Festival 2002.
- Grand Prix and Gold, Caucasus International Festival of Advertisement (CIFA) 2002.
- Epica d’Or and Gold, EPICA Awards 2002, Automobiles category.
- Grand Prix, Eurobest - The European Advertising Festival 2002.
To commemorate the Peugeot 206’s twentieth anniversary in March 2018, Peugeot recreated this commercial, substituting the Hindustan Ambassador with a replica of the Peugeot 208 GTI.
Awards
- Festival Automobile International honored it as Most Beautiful Car of the Year 1998.
- Received both Best Petrol Small Car and Best Diesel Small Car titles at the 2001 Fleet Excellence Awards.
- The Peugeot 206CC earned the Best Convertible accolade at the 2001 What Car? awards.
- Named Best Used Supermini by What Car? magazine in 2001.
- Crowned Car of the Show for the Peugeot 206CC at the 2000 British International Motor Show.
- Recognized as the Best-Selling Car in Europe consecutively from 2001 through 2003.
Production milestones
| Number of units produced | Date achieved |
|---|---|
| 500,000 | September 1999 |
| 2,000,000 | August 2001 |
| 3,000,000 | January 2003 |
| 4,000,000 | January 2004 |
| 5,000,000 | May 2005 |
| 6,000,000 | April 2007 |
| 8,358,217 | December 2012 |
Sales figures
| Year | Europe sales | Brazil sales | China sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 458,411 | ||
| 2000 | 555,180 | ||
| 2001 | 627,370 | 25,485 | |
| 2002 | 594,585 | 39,166 | |
| 2003 | 551,481 | 33,139 | |
| 2004 | 539,037 | 36,431 | |
| 2005 | 429,702 | 42,867 | |
| 2006 | 230,866 | 47,380 | 29,449 |
| 2007 | 85,656 | 55,850 | 28,558 |
| 2008 | 61,183 | 41,985 | 14,593 |
| 2009 | 112,789 | 6,645 | 3,482 |
| 2010 | 121,695 | 60 | 3 |
| 2011 | 84,030 | 2,081 | |
| 2012 | 41,584 |
Peugeot 207 and 207 Compact sales in Brazil
| Year | Units sold in Brazil |
|---|
|- !2008 ||18,608 |- !2009 ||57,383 |- !2010 ||68,690 |- !2011 ||59,056 |- !2012 ||41,601 |- !2013 ||14,919 |- !2014 ||4,297 |- !2015 ||74 |}
See also
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