FIRST DRIVE:
Peugeot enters SA's hot hatch race John Oxley Peugeot's hottest hatch has come blasting in with enough power to challenge the might of the Golf GTI -but with style and pricing that leaves the iconic German in the shade. We drive it.

It was hot in Stellenbosch, damned hot. The shade temperature was hitting 30 degrees C, and there was a strong 'berg wind blowing, irritating and certainly not cooling.

Lined up beside the runway were three blood red Peugeot 206 GTI 180s, newcomers to South Africa and determined to be top dog hot hatch.

To get this title, Peugeot has to climb up the ladder past the Ford Focus 170, the Toyota RunX and the VW Golf GTI.

Can the Frenchman do what others have tried, but failed to achieve?

On paper it's no contest to the RunX, which offers 141 kW of power against the 132 kW of the Golf and the Peugeot, with the Focus 170 a close runner-up with 127 kW.

But let's look at where the power is developed. The RunX is a peaky animal, and most of its power and torque comes high on the rev range.

The Golf uses a turbo to gets its boost, and although most of its torque is available low down, there are moments when the lights are on, but nobody's home, with the turbo taking time to wind up.

Variable valve timing

Rally stage? Oh, I forgot to mention that's what we were doing in Stellenbosch. A short rally stage designed to show us the Peugeot's ability (although, unfortunately, not back to back with the others). Memory, then, will have to suffice.

But back to basics. The Peugeot 206 GTi 180 was designed from the outset to leverage off the successes of the Peugeot 206 in the World Rally championship, but without producing a car that is so overtly rally styled that it misses the wider target.

First things first, and that beautiful 16-valve DOHC engine was developed, not just to go well, but to look good under the bonnet ("show us the engine mister").

Thus we see polished inlet pipes and plenum chamber cover, and a new engine cover with a large chromed Peugeot lion, to show this one means business.

Then the outside gets the special treatment. Subtle touches, but reminders - such as large twin chromed exhaust tailpipes, and fat 17 inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P7000 205/40R17W tyres.

Plus a wide rear spoiler, carbon-fibre look trim on the mirrors, body colour exterior fittings, a heat reflective athermic windscreen, and Xenon headlights, best in the business.

Inside Peugeot delivers the coup de gras, with a killer interior that takes your breath away. Not just two racing-style seats up front, but another two in the back. Foldable for more luggage space. And the materials used - leather and Alcantara and a honeycomb mesh mixture.

Upmarket

This is an upmarket four-seater, and Peugeot is proud of it.

And the detailing - hand stitching on the leather-covered steering wheel and the instrument binnacle, perforated aluminium pedals, more aluminium for the gearknob, plus, here and there, more touches of carbon fibre.

There's also been work done under the body, with modified suspension geometry to improve roadholding and traction, plus engine speed sensitive power steering, and the latest electronic aids - ESP (electronic stability programme) incorporating ASR (anti skid control), currently the best around.

What's more there's a switch to turn it off, which will become important as I tell the story later. And finally comfort features.

Plenty, with automatic air conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, automatic "headlights on" and electrically heated retractable door mirrors. Plus electric mirrors and windows.

Entertainment is provided through a Peugeot RD3 stereo with CD front loader. This audio system comprises of four speakers and two tweeters, with remote control mounted on the steering column.

For the statisticians, the car comes with a very long first gear that enables you to exceed 100 km/h without changing up, giving a very quick dash to that speed from rest in just 7.4 seconds. Or the 1 000 metres in 28 seconds. And a top speed of 220 km/h.

Peugeot claims combined fuel consumption in the region of 8.6 litres/100 km.

On the safety front, besides ABS and side impact beams, the 206 GTi 180 gets "smart" front air bags, with a 60-litre capacity for the driver and a 90-litre version for the passenger. The passenger's airbag can be deactivated with the ignition key for the installation of a rear-facing child seat.

Furthermore, there are two double side airbags aimed at protecting the head and chest separately, and seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.

At the rear, both seats have a 3-point seat belt and retractable head restraint. Another safety feature on this 206 is automatic hazard light activation in the event of sudden braking.

To the rally stage

This was a simple affair, designed to show all aspects of the car without putting any of the assembled motoring scribes in danger - thus lots of run-off area.

Initially designed as all-tarmac, it comprised a quick sprint - up to around 120 km/h - before diving hard on the brakes and a slap into first gear for a 90 degree left-hander. This was followed by another 90 degree corner - to the right - but this was essentially a fast sweep as it took us onto another runway, with lots of space to get a neat exit.

Another dash - this time getting into third gear - then a treacherous 90 left followed by a long left onto a third runway, where you could top out at around 170 km/h.

Then hard on the brakes (very hard) into a sharp left/right/left combination and through the flying finish. Easy peasy.

As it turned out there were a couple of factors that tended to sort out the men from the boys. The first corner had lots of loose gravel on the exit, while the second had a big tar puddle on the apex.

And that last combination was more dirt than tar, especially if you were adventurous with your lines?. What I did was to switch off the ESP for takeoff, to give lets of revs, then leave it off until settled on the straight.

I then switched it on for the final corners, threw the car into the lefthander while still braking, and aimed for the final exit.

My first run was a dud (we didn't get any practice) but the second time around I ALMOST got it right for the first series of bends, and on the last combo put in a blinder that set my time right up among the young bloods.

What did I learn from all this? The 206 GTi 180 is fast. And it stops VERY well. And it goes where you point it, although it WILL understeer (with the ESP off) if you push too hard into or out of a corner.

And finally, with the ESP switched on you can commit to a corner knowing full well that the electronics will do for you what a lot of wheel-turning, sweating, and anxiety, does for others. Without turning a hair.

Learning curve

What would I like to learn? More about its manners on the open road and its practicality (it's a three-door, so rear-seat access is not easy).

And in summary?

At this price - R209 900 - its sets the karakul among the hawks when it comes to a combination of features, performance and overall costs.

It might not come with a maintenance plan (that's between R6 000 and R6 500 extra) like some of the others, but its does get a 1-year unlimited distance warranty, and Peugeot will do a warranty check every 15 000 km, free of charge.

There's also Peugeot Assistance throughout South Africa. And maintenance intervals are every 20 000 km (10 000 km less than other Peugeot petrol products, with petrol quality given as the reason for the reduced intervals).

Most of all, though, it offers a high degree of quality and style. You WOULD want to be seen in one.

Author: www.news24.co.za