Peugeot dealers all over the UK are preparing for the arrival of the eagerly-awaited Peugeot 206 GTi, due to go on sale on 1 June at the highly-competitive on-the-road price of £13,995.

The 206 GTi, built in Britain at Peugeot’s Ryton plant, near Coventry, is the true successor to the legendary 205 GTi. It combines raw driving energy, state-of-the-art handling and the character and style you would expect in a true GTi.

But the new 206 GTi also has the technological refinements - comfort, safety and practicality - demanded by the modern GTi driver. Every 206 GTi has as standard:

• Automatic digital air conditioning
• Driver and passenger airbag
• ABS braking
• CD autochanger
• Ultrasonic alarm & deadlocks
• Automatic windscreen wiper rain sensor system

The 206 GTi has a brand new 2-litre engine capable of producing a top speed of 130mph and 0-62mph acceleration of 8.4 seconds. The EW10 J4 engine is a twin

OHC 16-valve unit developing maximum power of 137bhp (99kW) at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 19.8mkg (190Nm) at 4,100 rpm.

It also has a new 5-speed manual gearbox, the improved BE4-5, a development of the previous BE-3 gearbox.

The chassis and suspension have been adapted to suit the GTi temperament. A pseudo MacPherson front end assembly with steel wishbones and a 20mm anti-roll bar combines with a trailing arm rear assembly with a 22mm anti-roll bar to give ultra-precise directional stability.

Road-handling and safety is also enhanced by disc brakes front and rear with ABS, 15 inch wheels and the power steering system from the 306 GTi.

Style and Sophistication

Externally, the 206 GTi has sophisticated touches that set it apart from the mainstream range. The front wings have been widened by 10mm either side to take the 15inch individually styled alloy wheels. The addition of smooth lens headlamps and large lower air intake framed on both sides by fog lights add to the GTi’s assertive look.

The GTi also features door protectors and number plate lamp in body colour, gloss black electric rear view mirrors and the crystal appearance of the indicator repeaters. A chrome exhaust tailpipe and GTi badges on the front wing add to the distinctiveness.

Inside, there is a distinctly sporty style - alloy pedals, alloy gear lever, a three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel and a sports instrument panel with metallic bezel and body-hugging “sports” seats.

These sporty touches combine with sophisticated materials such as the three-material seat upholstery in leather, alcantara and woven velvet or the alcantara that covers the door and quarter panels and glove box panel, giving them a delicate feel.

The internal sophistication is reinforced by the standard fully automatic air conditioning (automatic adjustment of temperature and volume, automatically controlled distribution of airflows in the passenger compartment and automatically controlled recycling function).

The automatic windscreen wiper with rain sensor, external temperature indicator, four-speaker RDS car radio with steering wheel control and remote frequency display, add still more to the GTi’s quality of life.

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For further information, call the Peugeot press office on 01203 884212

This release and picture are also available on the Newspress web site: www.newspress.co.uk

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Peugeot 206GTi - Main Technical Characteristics

(*) with one person on board