IN the early eighties, the supermini class underwent something of a revolution. Ford's second-generation Fiesta, the Vauxhall Nova and the Nissan Micra all hit UK dealers within a year or two of one another, transforming the small-car landscape. But there was one car that blew all of those away when it came to ability, desirability and choice.
Until 1984, Peugeot was a brand best known for producing chunky, bulletproof saloon cars, but it desperately needed a replacement for its ageing 104 hatchback. The result was the 205 - a supermini which set the standard that all other small cars would have to live up to for the rest of the decade.
The 205 proved to be a runaway success for Peugeot. Between 1984 and 1998, over 5.3 million units were sold, and it troubled the top of the sales charts throughout Europe. Buyers couldn't get enough of the stylish French fancy, with crisp clean lines and neat proportions setting a template that the brand would follow with models into the nineties.
Indeed, it's a car that Peugeot still looks back on proudly, and draws on as inspiration for all of its latest superminis. Today's 208 is part of a model line-up that shows the French company is back on the kind of roll that it hasn't seen since its heyday at the end of the last century.
So for the 205's 40th anniversary, we've lined up old and new to see what made the original so special - and how the new car has moved the game on.
Peugeot 205 GTI
Bu hikaye Auto Express dergisinin December 06 - 13, 2023 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Auto Express dergisinin December 06 - 13, 2023 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Panorama highlights faults plaguing smart motorways
THE UK's smart motorway network is plagued with technological faults that are not fixed for days at a time, leaving drivers at risk, according to the latest edition of the BBC's Panorama programme.
Final tests for Range Rover EV
Land Rover reveals images of electric Range Rover
BYD will spread its wings by selling new Seagull in Europe
BYD will bring its value Seagull supermini to Europe and the UK, Auto Express can reveal, after the Chinese brand's executive VP, Stella Li, confirmed the plan in Beijing.
Mega MG model blitz
THE MG3 hatchback kicks off a big year for MG, with at least four other new models arriving in the next 12 months.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Toyota RAV4 Mk5
FROM £17,000 Spacious five-seat SUV also offers loads of standard kit and unburstable reliability
Tesla fires up 460bhp Model 3 Performance
TESLA has just revealed its new Ragship Model 3 Performance - a quicker, more powerful version of the brand's all-electric executive saloon car - and has put it straight on sale in the UK, with prices from £59,990.
ASPIRING LEADERS
The new Volkswagen Tiguan takes on the Hyundai Tucson for compact family-SUV honours
HIGH ROLLERS
As Rolls-Royce hits 120 years old, meet the car makers that have tried to take it on - not always successfully
Jeep Wrangler
FIRST DRIVE Revised SUV icon gets enhanced interior tech
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
FIRST DRIVE Performance version of sleek new coupé is put through its paces