Breathing new life into a French hot hatch icon

This is the coolest motoring story you will read all week. And probably all month and maybe even all year. The Peugeot 205 GTI took over from the Mk1/Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI as the hot hatch leader. Today they still look great and are no doubt a heap of fun to drive.

However, as our own experience in a 1980 Mk1 Golf GTI tells us, driving these little pocket rockets from two–three decades ago quickly reminds how far the motoring world has advanced insofar as performance, braking capabilities and general ride and handling are concerned.

But what if you cold bring some 21st century performance and refinement into an iconic hot hatch chassis? The power of modern day hot hatches, but with the more raw and rewarding driving thrills of their forerunners. Seriously, what’s not to like!

This is where UK-based Pug1off steps in. They’ll take your 205 GTI and will breath new life into its heart. Engine conversions, suspension upgrades, gearbox swaps, you name it, they’ll do pretty much whatever your budget allows.

One of their key packages is to ditch the old 1.9 litre engine in favour of a 2.0 litre from the 306 GTI Rallye. That’s good for 167hp at the wheels, they say, which in a sub 900kg hot hatch can only equal massive smiles.

More detail after the break.

Pug1off brings the classic Peugeot 205 GTI into the 21st century with its ‘195’ conversions

• Independent Peugeot specialist offering updates to iconic 205 GTI
  
• Up to 195 bhp available & chassis dynamics to match

Brackley, Northamptonshire, 18th April 2012

Produced from 1984 to 1993, the Peugeot 205 GTI is rightly regarded as the definitive hot hatch from its era. Fast forward to 2012 and thanks to effective corrosion proofing from the factory and robust mechanicals, the 205 GTI is still a popular sight on the UK’s roads – and racing circuits – where it continues to be a trackday favourite.

However, with a maximum of 130 bhp on tap from its 8-valve, 1905cc XU9 engine the 205 GTI can struggle to keep up with the performance demands of 21st century motoring, particularly for the discerning enthusiast.

Advances in suspension and braking technology in the intervening period open up similar scope for dynamic improvement on the 205 GTI, enabling it to potentially punch above its weight and beyond its years.

However, the challenge is to achieve a wholesale performance upgrade without undermining the cohesive, involving nature of the 205 GTI’s driving experience. Answering this challenge requires comprehensive expertise on the 205 GTI and the Peugeot range in general, which is where Pug1off comes in.

THE PUG1OFF XU10J4RS ENGINE CONVERSION:

In this spirit Brackley based marque specialists Pug1off embarked on a comprehensive update program for supplied customer 205 GTI’s, based around a number of key components sourced from later Peugeot models.

The core of the Pug1off conversion is an engine transplant using the free-revving and reliable 1998cc, DOHC, 16-valve XU10J4RS powerplant from the 1990’s 306 GTI-6 / Rallye.

Aside from a slight amount of clearance relief on the 205 GTI’s slam panel this powerplant is a straight swap into the engine bay onto the car’s original 5-speed BE3 transmission. And with 167 bhp available in car weighing just 895 kilos, this delivers sparkling performance, producing a 205 GTI with a power to weight ratio of 186 bhp per ton.

Supplied and installed with a new clutch, cambelt and water pump, Pug1off charges £2220.00 for the XU10J4RS engine transplant on a drive in / drive out basis into customer supplied 205 GTI’s, including 12 month / 10,000 road mile warranty.

However, because each Peugeot 205 GTI is an individual, Pug1off offers a number of optional extras to upgrade performance yet further:-

OPTIONAL ENGINE UPGRADES:

Stage 2 ‘195’ Power Upgrade, including high lift / long duration camshafts, tubular exhaust manifold, modified inlet housing and ECU remap (with 7800 rpm rev limit.) Priced at £1595.00 (with conversion) or £1940.00 if supplied and fitted separately.
2.5 inch diameter stainless steel exhaust system £420.00
Group N engine mounts £156.00
Alloy bottom engine pulley £72.00
Lightweight billet steel flywheel £309.60

OPTIONAL TRANSMISSION UPGRADE:

BE3/6 6-speed gearbox conversion from the Peugeot 306 GTI-6 / Rallye, including Quaife ATB limited slip differential and 4.8:1 final drive, uprated rose jointed gear linkages and shortshifter £2190.00

OPTIONAL BRAKE UPGRADES:

283mm front brake upgrade (247mm originally) with larger Peugeot 206 GTI 180 / 307 Sport front calipers, Tar-Ox grooved discs, Ferodo DS (2500 or 3000) pads and Castrol SRF brake fluid, braided brake lines £725.00

A rear disc conversion is also offered, £POA

OPTIONAL SUSPENSION UPGRADE:

Bilstein Group N gas dampers, Eibach front lowering springs, Group N strut rubbers, negative camber front arms, negative camber rear arms, rebuilt solid mounted rear axle, uprated torsion bars, uprated anti-roll bars and full suspension geometry set up £2750.00

SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Motorsport seats, harnesses and roll cages all available £POA

PAINTWORK & RESTORATION SERVICES:

Available on request, £POA

Pug1off can also source Peugeot 205 GTI base cars for customers on request.

PUG1OFF PEUGEOT 205 GTI ‘195’ DEMONSTRATOR:

The 1991 Pug1off 205 GTI ‘195’ test car belongs to Pug1off’s Mark Davies and features all the listed optional extras (less the billet steel flywheel.)

Benefiting from the Pug1off Stage 2 / 195 conversion it produces a dyno proven 195 bhp @ 7400 rpm and 155 lb.ft of torque at 6250 rpm, providing a power to weight ratio of 218 bhp per ton.

The rev limiter is set at 7800 rpm.

The full conversion price for a Pug1off Peugeot 205 GTI ‘195’ in this specification is £10,128.00 including VAT @ 20%.

It also benefits from restored wheels and bodywork, plus a Sparco Prodrive driver’s seat to provide additional lateral support for circuit driving.

Mark’s Peugeot also features power steering – a relative rarity on the 205 GTI.

Externally Mark has individualised the car with a single wiper conversion and removed the rear wiper.