Clio-bashing 207 GTi inbound

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

In response to the stinging criticism aimed at its 150bhp 207 GT, Peugeot is upping the ante in the fast supermini market and launching a 210bhp version of its new hot hatchback, the 207 GTi.

The fiercer version of the 207 GTi will appear at next month’s Geneva motor show. It will use the BMW-PSA derived 1.6-litre engine, but running enough boost to endow it with 210bhp - more power than Renault's Clio 197 and Vauxhall's new Corsa VXR, and the likely output of Mini's second-generation Cooper S Works, which is yet to be announced.

The faster GTi will also get completely revised suspension to suit the increased power, and a particularly impressive pair of front seats, report insiders. The company is also planning a range of aftermarket suspension tuning kits for the GTi.

 

[Leonidae]

Sweet! now, all they need to do is add AWD to the mix and call it T16.

 

[Scaff]

I do so hope that Peugeot manage to get a hot hatch sorted out, call me cynical, but I have now lost count of the number of times they have said they are going to take the fight to Renault (or anyone else for that matter). All that generally happens is that they release another sub-par hatch, the scary thing is they seem to be getting worse, with the 207 GT coming 14th out of 14 in this weeks hot hatch group test in Autocar.

In my formative motoring years we had Renault and Peugeot fighting it out to claim the crown of best hot hatch, now Peugeot can't even get close.

They need to dust off a few of these and actually remember what it was that made Peugeot's worth driving.

Personally, while I would love to see a return to form for Peugeot, I'm not holding out a great deal of hope.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Poverty]

too bad the car is so ugly

 

[ExigeEvan]

It's all bark and no bite at the moment.

The company is also planning a range of aftermarket suspension tuning kits for the GTi.

'we gunna drop i' to tha deck'a yo!

 

[Tommi]

I think it looks disgusting, personally i would buy a clio 197.

 

[Leonidae]

it's a matter of taste. personally I like small pugs. after all, finns were unbeaten when they drove in group B with this, were they not?

 

[Famine]

Anybody remember what happened when the 140hp 206 GTi was subject to:

stinging criticism

?

That's correct - they stuffed 40 more horses into it and ended up with, by all accounts, an understeery, unresponsive heifer - albeit a second faster to 60.


So forgive me if I'm unenthusiastic.

 

[Scaff]

it's a matter of taste. personally I like small pugs. after all, finns were unbeaten when they drove in group B with this, were they not?

The last time I checked the 207 was a bit too new (by a good 20+ years) to have been a group B car. That the 205 was a great car is not in doubt at all, but they can't live off that legacy forever.

And I believe I pictured the 205 as being an example of the great cars that they used to make (along with its bigger brother the 309), however almost every source that has tested a modern Pug has been critical of its dynamic ability.


If its a matter of taste, then all the road testers I have read have the same taste. Modern Pugs don't drive like they used to (I honestly wish they did).

Scaff

 

[Tornado]

And I believe I pictured the 205 as being an example of the great cars that they used to make (along with its bigger brother the 309), however almost every source that has tested a modern Pug has been critical of its dynamic ability.

To be fair, much criticism has been levelled at Renault for similar (OMIGOD the old car was better) reasons. Of course, I'm sure it stings Peugoet more, as it seems to me that they had many more "fun" products than Renault did; ranging from the 406 Coupe to the 106.

 

[Scaff]

To be fair, much criticism has been levelled at Renault for similar (OMIGOD the old car was better) reasons. Of course, I'm sure it stings Peugoet more, as it seems to me that they had many more "fun" products than Renault did; ranging from the 406 Coupe to the 106.

Well the Clio 197 has been accused of being a bit on the fat side, however the Renault norm of late has been to wait to introduce the more mad versions (Cup and Trophy versions of the last generation Clio were not launch models) and at least Renault actually get it right in fixing criticism. Something Peugeot has failed to do for a long time now, the last good drivers car them launched was the 406 Coupe, it simply been a long time in the wilderness for they now.

As for no 'fun' Renaults in the past, well what about these:

More than enough fun in that lot (and trainspotter points to anyone who can ID them all).

Regards

Scaff

 

[Tornado]

As for no 'fun' Renaults in the past, well what about these:

I meant within the last 10 years or so.
Peugoet had the 106, the 306, the 206 and the 406. I believe Renault had to mostly rely on the Clio, so it seems like Peugoet's fall from grace is much harder than Renault's.

 

[Famine]

More than enough fun in that lot (and trainspotter points to anyone who can ID them all).

Okay... *cracks knuckles*

I see an R8 Gordini, a 5 GT-Turbo, an Alpine A110, an Alpine GTA, a R21 Turbo, a R19 Turbo, a Clio Williams (Mk1), a Renault Sport Spider and a Renaulsport Clio V6 230.

 

[Tornado]

I see an R8 Gordini, a 5 GT-Turbo, an Alpine A110, an Alpine GTA, a R21 Turbo, a R19 Turbo, a Clio Williams (Mk1), a Renault Sport Spider and a Renaulsport Clio V6 230.

I didn't know the first one or the second to last one, and I got the R21 and R19 mixed up.

 

[Scaff]

Okay... *cracks knuckles*

I see an R8 Gordini, a 5 GT-Turbo, an Alpine A110, an Alpine GTA, a R21 Turbo, a R19 Turbo, a Clio Williams (Mk1), a Renault Sport Spider and a Renaulsport Clio V6 230.

Ohh good work, the only (minor) correction would be the R19, which is a 16V, the turbo was never offered as a factory option (but not uncommon as an aftermarket item).

Still a big 👍 , particularly on the R8 Gordini, bloody great little car.

I meant within the last 10 years or so.
Peugoet had the 106, the 306, the 206 and the 406. I believe Renault had to mostly rely on the Clio, so it seems like Peugoet's fall from grace is much harder than Renault's.

Quite true that the late '90s were not a great time for fun Renaults, and while the 106 Rallye was a great car as were some of the 306 variants and the 406 Coupe. The 206 was a nasty car, style (which it had) over substance, and none were as good as the 205's, 309's and 405's.

Renault did have the Clio, Sports Spider (released at the same time as the Elise to a certain death), the 2.0 RTi version of the Laguna was OK and the Twingo (no laughing at the back) was great. Still its a valid point you make, but overall I think over the years both have had a good number of fun cars.


Regards

Scaff

 

[High-Test]

J'aime l'idée. Mais, If faut que peugeot fasse une voiture qui est plus belle. Est-ce qu'elle mange un plat?

 

[Scaff]

J'aime l'idée. Mais, If faut que peugeot fasse une voiture qui est plus belle. Est-ce qu'elle mange un plat?

It is indeed a good idea, if Peugeot can make it work, which has been a problem of late.

And please stick to English, my French is rusty enough without babelfish translating the last part as "Does it eat a dish?".

Regards

Scaff

 

[TheCracker]

Okay... *cracks knuckles*
... a 5 GT-Turbo...

That's funny, i only see a (series 1) Renault 5 Turbo

The 5 GT Turbo looked like this:

 

[Famine]

I've just noticed from post #1 that it'll be powered by a French-origin 210hp 1.6 litre turbo.

Given Peugeot's reliability record, expect to see the countryside littered with fragments of 207 GTi engine bay near you soon.

 

[Milliethemutt]

Modern Pugs don't drive like they used to (I honestly wish they did).Scaff

I'm with you Scaff. I used to own a 306 d-turbo and it was the most fun you could have while getting 40mpg (not that I got that much very often). Newer Pugs are soft wobbley family biased pap as far as I'm concerned. I've got a couple of mates who owned 106s too and they were great, especially the GTI. One of them has now bought a 205 GTI hillclimb car. Jammy git.

 

[YSSMAN]

I've never really been much of a fan of the Peugeot crowd in most circumstances, and the 207 is no exception. I'm still clinging to the 206, as I'm not completely convinced that the 207 is a better car. That said, I'd be more comfortable with the Citroen versions... A little more crazy, as I kinda like that in a French car...

That said, I'm certainly in the Renault camp here. I've become green with envy when it comes to small, sporty hatchbacks and the lack of their existence in America. I'm still calling for the French companies to return to America, particularly Renault, but it still seems unlikely that it will happen any time soon...

...Although, we may be getting the Corsa and the Polo here in America, but it has been neither confirmed or denied as of yet...

 

[harrytuttle]

That's correct - they stuffed 40 more horses into it and ended up with, by all accounts, an understeery, unresponsive heifer - albeit a second faster to 60.


So forgive me if I'm unenthusiastic.

Forgiven. I don't know what it is that makes manufacturers think that more power equates to a hotter hot hatch. I think they're watching the wrong market (uber-sedan horsepower war: S6/M5/etc.). For a second -- just one second -- I thought it was all going to get better when the Clio Cup was released. Same power, less weight. For that one second, it seemed like they came to their senses. Then the Mini was released...more powerful yet heavier than before.

Fortunately, the used car market has never looked better. 👍