Peugeot's Stylish Comeback
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday April 15, 1992
FOR a time there, it was easy to believe that Peugeot had all but disappeared from the Australian market.
The world's second-oldest automobile marque (after Mercedes-Benz) was a victim of the economic pinch which had seen its local importer JRA go to the brink in 1990.
Sales slumped catastrophically as JRA focused its efforts on mere survival
Last year, the huge Inchcape organisation took over the distribution from struggling JRA, and Peugeot's fortunes began to improve.
A broader range of products, strong promotion and advertising and some intelligent pricing have given the French brand a shot in the arm.
Sales for the first three months of 1992 have been excellent.
One of the most effective weapons in the fight back has been a more affordable new smaller-engined 1.6-litre version of Peugeot's cute and distinctive 205 hatch, priced to compete head-to-head with the welter of Japanese small cars.
The 205 Si is priced at $21,500 but still gets air conditioning, Michelin tyres, power steering, driving lights, central locking, power windows and other handy standard equipment.
The Si is unusual in that it is a small European car offering excellent value for money. Australians have responded positively to the new 65 kW 1.6 model, which now accounts for more than 90 per cent of all 205 sales here.
The Si is, of course, a relative of the GTi, the sporty hot hatch that has attracted a small but enthusiastic cult following here.
The GTi is a fabulous little car for the enthusiast driver. It offers superb handling with hardly any evidence of the front-drive car's understeer, excellent brakes and surprisingly flexible, torquey engine performance.
The French are uncanny in striking the right balance between crisp, predictable handling and a comfortable ride and they've done it again with the littlest Pug. Firm yet cosy seating is another Gallic strong suit evident in the charming 205.
The lower-than-normal gearing of the car is ideal for city work and the driver often finds himself trundling around in fifth.
The original GTi launched here in October 1987 didn't have power steering, nor rear disc brakes.
Peugeot remedied these deficiencies a year or so ago and the 205 GTi is now a far better car. But as delightful as it is today, I'm not sure though whether I wouldn't choose the Si and pocket the $10,000 difference.
The $31,400 GTi has a bigger and more powerful 1.9-litre engine, stiffer sports suspension, 15-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes (the Si has drum rears), remote central locking, leather-trimmed seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, improved sound system, and some extra body bits.
While the 205 offers generous interior room, with more than adequate legroom and headroom for adults, its overall length is rather modest. And this has its advantages. This week we slipped the 205 GTi into parking spots that Ford Laser drivers would have been forced to pass up.
© 1992 Sydney Morning Herald