Pocket rocket
I HAVE MIXED feelings about Peugeot 206s. Small and cute, they're as practical as a hatchback and zippy in traffic. But there's something about their driving position that suggests the French physique is ... well, different. The steering wheel is so high and horizontal you have to lean forward to achieve the 12 o'clock position - bus driver-style. The pedals aren't heel-and-toe friendly, either.
Other quirks prove as annoying in the 206 GTi 180. There's a piece of interior plastic that gets in the way of my right foot's movement between the brake and the accelerator pedals. I have to bury my foot behind it to operate them. This is quite disconcerting, particularly when the 206 GTi 180 is such a natural talent in cornering, where quick and precise footwork is required. At the same time, you might want to lean on the seat's side bolsters to feel every bit of the car. But you can't because your torso has to lean forward to reach the steering wheel.
Over the entire test drive, I'm never quite confident that I can get my pedal actions right, which hampers the fun of this hot little hatch. And then, when you place your right foot on the brake pedal, sometimes you can feel the steering column twisting at the tip of your toes.
It's strange that you seem to be able to laugh all this quirkiness off as endearing Frenchness.
The 206 GTi 180 has much to whet enthusiasts' appetites, though. The GTi 180 model is immediately recognisable with its body-coloured bumpers, a restyled front mesh-screen grille, faux-carbon door mirrors, new 17-inch alloys with low-profile tyres and a fibreglass winglet on top of the rear window that generates some down force at speed. The smart aluminium fuel cap and twin exhaust pipes also attract boy racers.
The interior is exciting, too. The new leather and alcantara suede seats have much bigger thigh and side bolsters. These prove body-hugging, and the front seats have new levers for easier access to the rear compartment. There are aluminium pedals and an aluminium gear stick, which has been shortened by 20mm and has revised mechanics to enable shorter shifts. The new three-spoke steering wheel and instrument binnacle are wrapped in pronounced stitched leather.
With 180 brake horsepower, the Peugeot 206 GTi 180 is also more powerful than the standard 136bhp 206cc, thanks to the addition of a new variable valve timing system to the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. No wonder Peugeot proudly calls its new GTi '180', with the jubilation of anyone who's scored three treble 20s in darts.
The Peugeot is up against three punchy competitors: the 172bhp Renault Clio Sports; the 170bhp Ford Focus; and the 163bhp Mini Cooper S.
The small and light Peugeot GTi 180 has made good use of its new power. It proves fast enough for Hong Kong immediately, although torque is stronger above 3,000rpm.
The 206 has always been a good handler, but Peugeot has tweaked the GTi 180's suspension. All shock absorbers and anti-roll bars have been stiffened, the two rear-axle torsion beams are wider - and you get Pirelli P7000 tyres. The brakes have also been upgraded to match the new engine's extra power.
You feel the road noise, however. On bad roads, I'm obliged to ease the throttle, squint my eyes and let the car glide, but this shows how Peugeot has transformed an economical hatchback into a stiff-riding pocket rocket. This is no ordinary 206 XT, and the sportier 206cc feels tame by comparison.
I notice a vast improvement in the car's handling around Shek O. The hard suspension and thin tyres let me feel the surface, but the road rumble persists. This could be a plus for the enthusiasts, for the GTi 180 can round corners with frip and composure. This short-wheelbased car feels exceptionally darty through twisting sections on the Southside. The steering wheel is nicely weighted and has good feel - if only it was angled lower and straighter for the driver to feel in unison with the car.
At $194,900, the GTi 180 costs a lot less than the Mini Cooper S (manual, $271,800; automatic $296,800). The Peugeot has some of the same cult appeal, perhaps, but the GTi 180's on-road performance and handling is hard to beat. The car also has an electronic stability program, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, six air bags, fog lamps, automatic wipers with rain sensor and more. All it lacks is a decent driving position - unless you're French.
At a glance
Peugeot 206 GTi 180
What drives it? A two-litre, 180bhp, four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual gearbox
How fast is it? 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds, top speed 225km/h
How safe is it? Two front, two side and two curtain airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD
Available: You can buy one in silver for $194,900 at AutoFrance Hong Kong (tel: 3118 1828)
