HISTORY
A century of competitions
The 205 World Rally Champion
With the creation of Peugeot Talbot Sport and the appointment of Jean Todt as racing manager in 1981, the Lion brand committed itself resolutely to the World Rally Championship. The clearly stated goal was to win the title. With great efficiency, the mission was accomplished rapidly. And how splendidly!
Designed in record time, the 205 Turbo 16 was presented in February 1984 at the same time as the GTI, of which 200 units were built, with a view to certification in group B. Transverse-mounted in rear centre position, its 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve turbocharged engine developed 200 hp. On the racing version, of which 20 units were built, it offered first 320 hp, and then up to 450 hp. All-wheel drive was essential to transmit such power to the road.
The car was entered in the 1984 World Championship as part of a programme limited to five races. A sort of trial gallop. The Tour of Corsica was its first racing event. Although brand new, the 205 T16 soon made its mark as of its first year of racing. The first victory came in the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland, where Ari Vatanen came first. This success was followed by two others in the San Remo Rally and in the British event, the RAC. Three victories in five races for starters, very promising for the rest of the meal.
The 1985 season was expected to be the big year for the 205 T16. With the ambition of winning the title. Three drivers, Ari Vatanen, Timo Salonen and Bruno Saby, were to face up to the awesome Audi Quattro, which had until then ruled supreme in the hands of Walter Röhrl and Stig Blomqvist. And yet, the little Peugeot was to crush the competition by winning no less than seven victories in eleven rallies. Peugeot won its first World Rally Champion title, with as a bonus a drivers' world title for Timo Salonen.
Despite the advent of new super-machines such as the Lancia Delta S4, the 205 Evolution 2 would remain dominant in 1986 with six successes. The constructor won its second world title and Juha Kankkunen won the drivers' championship.
But 1986 was to be the final season of this glorious achievement, as the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile decided to eliminate Group B. Peugeot therefore turned to other horizons, the Paris-Dakar and the African Rally-Raids.