Peugeot 205 T16

Summary

1
Car Info
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Technical Specifications & Achievements

Car Info

The Peugeot 205 T16 defined the peak of Group B rallying - an era of extreme performance and unrestrained innovation. Transforming the everyday 205 supermini into a mid-engined, four-wheel-drive powerhouse, Peugeot claimed back-to-back manufacturers’ titles in 1985 and 1986 with one of the most advanced rally cars ever built.

Beneath its aggressive wide-arched bodywork, the 205 T16 featured a tubular steel spaceframe chassis and a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine mounted behind the driver. Power was delivered to all four wheels through a complex transmission system. The later Evolution 2 version produced over 500 bhp, capable of 0–60 mph on gravel in around 2.3 seconds - performance figures that remain extraordinary even today.

In 1985, Timo Salonen took both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles for Peugeot, despite the season being overshadowed by Ari Vatanen’s serious crash in Argentina. The Evolution 2 continued the car’s dominance in 1986, securing Peugeot’s second title against intensifying competition from Lancia and Ford.

The 205 T16 embodied the brilliance - and danger - of Group B. Its staggering speed and technical sophistication made it an instant legend but also highlighted the risks of a formula with few limits. Following a series of fatal accidents, Group B was cancelled at the end of 1986, bringing the T16’s reign to an abrupt close.

Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2, 1985
© WRC / Automobilist

Technical Specifications & Achievements

Car Name

Peugeot 205 T16

Chassis

Tubular steel spaceframe with composite bodywork

Engine

1.8L inline-4 turbocharged (450+ bhp)

Transmission

5-speed manual with 4WD epicyclic distribution

WRC Wins

WRC Manufacturers Titles

2 (1985, 1986)