This is how the monstrous Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 drives

As a car enthusiast you will undoubtedly know this model. After all, in 1985 and 1986 Peugeot won both the manufacturers’ and the drivers’ championship in the World Rally Championship with it. But be honest, have you ever seen a 205 Turbo 16 in real life? He is rare as a white raven, especially in our region. It’s a shame that he leads such a shadow existence, because it is a special representative of the homologation model category.

The Turbo 16 is instantly recognizable as a 205, even though only the grille, doors, windshield, headlights and taillights are carried over from the regular production model.

200 street versions for Group B homologation

Let’s go back in time first. Between 1983 and 1986, rallying’s so-called Group B regulations required a manufacturer to build 200 street versions of a rally car before the rally car could compete in the premier class of rallying. Subsequently, another twenty street versions had to be built for the so-called evolution models, such as the Audi S1 ​​E2, the street version was called Sport Quattro. The 205 Turbo 16 was first shown in early 1983, together with the regular 205. Despite the great external similarities, it only shared the headlights, grille, doors, windscreen, taillights and parts of the interior with the house-garden and kitchen versions, of which more than five million were built.

Exotic technology: 1.8 turbo six-valve transversely in the back

The Turbo 16 had very exotic technology in house. For example, it was equipped with four-wheel drive and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with four valves per cylinder and two overhead camshafts, which was laid transversely at the rear. The transmission came from the Citroën SM. The whole is hidden under a truly gigantic bonnet. That term does not even cover the whole load, because almost half of the rear hinges up when you need to be with the technology.

Turbo 16 is wider, longer and more wheelbase than 205

The 205 Turbo 16 is of course also wide; to be precise, a geotriangle wider than a regular model. Just look at those heavily expanded wheel arches! In any case, the Turbo 16 is much larger than a regular 205: eleven centimeters longer and with twelve centimeters more wheelbase. No coincidental values, because its proportions correspond so broadly to those of a normal 205. That recognisability was important; of course, Peugeot’s participation in the World Cup was aimed at creating a positive image for the 205, resulting in high sales numbers.

Driving the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, borrowed from the museum in Sochaux.

But let’s not dwell too long on the theory, it’s time to go riding! In the courtyard of the Peugeot museum in Sochaux, a 205 Turbo 16 is ready for a quick test drive. We get in and start the engine, which is not that easy at all. The caverns between the interior parts are at least as big as the ones on the outside and we have to push the angular surround of the instrument panel up a bit to turn the ignition key to the right! After clearing this hurdle, the KKK turbo-breathed four-cylinder settles into a relaxed idle. The clutch requires a muscular calf, after which it appears that simply inserting the first of the five gears is not possible. No, it takes a lot of pushing; shifting really requires a considerable effort. Even the perforated throttle feels like someone poured thick syrup into the mechanics. So it’s a matter of tensing your muscles and going. The old rally car starts to move sulkily.

No standard Peugeot 205 dashboard either.

Very little below 2,000 rpm

The first kilometers are through city traffic. We are doubtful: is this car really the basis for the cannon with which Peugeot won the World Cup titles? Below 2,000 rpm, very little happens and above 3,000 the sound image is supplemented with a hiss that still sounds very innocent. Only on the way to 5,000 rpm does the engine start to roar and your doubts disappear like snow in the sun: the needle of the rev counter sweeps over the red-lit digits and moves rapidly towards the ‘forbidden’ part, which starts at 7,500. Clack, the next gear, after which the turbo spectacle starts all over again. But woe to your bones if you drop the revs too far. Then the Turbo 16 immediately feels very lazy, becomes downright grumpy and gives the impression that its throat is being squeezed.

The Turbo 16 just wants to go hard

So you have to switch gears diligently, which is smoother at higher temps. Then you can quickly switch resistance with a solid feeling counter pressure. This car clearly prefers to drive fast rather than slow. The Turbo 16, meanwhile, follows every unevenness in the French provincial roads and, thanks to the four-wheel drive, always pops out of tight bends without slipping wheels. The steering offers a lot of feeling, contributing to a wonderfully unfiltered driving feeling. This also applies to the brakes, which only leave you in the dark about their doings. Depressing the pedal is like stepping into a bucket of sand; some more feedback would be nice to gain more confidence.

When you roll through a French village with this car, it shows its unruly side again. The powertrain whines a bit, the four-cylinder splutters that it’s not really in its element and the rear axle creaks when you bounce over a speed bump.

The shop windows reflect the metallic shimmering gray paint with the red striping and the coarse material air intakes. Where in the Netherlands only connoisseurs would twist their necks for this car, we get thumbs up from everyone here in France. This Peugeot is a hero here!

Soon sweat on the back

But what makes this car so special? It makes perfect sense that it feels more like a task-oriented rally weapon than a regular road car. The interior exudes efficiency. There is no luggage compartment, there is only a compartment above the engine that is only accessible if you have two helping hands at your disposal, because you can only raise the huge aft deck with two people. And if you want to fill up, you have to open the front cover to access the filler ports. The dashboard is a simple plastic container. On the road, the inside smells of warm engine oil and the sound spectacle that is created behind your back unfolds every time you accelerate. Driving the 205 Turbo 16 is a strenuous affair and you soon have a sweat on your back. However, you are also involved in driving in an unprecedented way. You really are the center of attention in this driving machine. And you feel everything that the 205 Turbo 16 is a balanced total package.

Technical data Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
Engine 4 cyl. in line, turbo
Cylinder capacity 1,775 cc
max. power 147 kW/200 hp at 6,750 rpm
max. torque 255 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Number of gears 5, manual
Four wheel drive
Dimensions lxwxh 3.82 x 1.70 x 1.35 m
Empty weight 1,145 kg
0-100 km/h 6.0 sec
Top speed 210 km/h
Avg. consumption 12.2 l/100 km (1:8.2)
All figures according to factory specifications