Peugeot’s 205 GTi voted the ‘Greatest Ever Hot Hatch’
An initial shortlist of 50 was chosen by automotive experts, before a global public poll saw the Peugeot 205 GTi take the crown.
The final top 10 were displayed at Hot Hatch Nirvana at the Performance Car Show, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from January 14 to 17, and included some of the most iconic and desired cars of the last four decades; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6, Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evolution 1, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, VW Golf GTi MK1, Renault Clio Williams, Renault Clio 182 Trophy, VW Golf GTi Mk2, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Ford Focus RS MK1, Talbot Lotus Sunbeam. The Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evolution 1 came second, whilst the RS Cosworth from the mid-1990s, completed the podium.
Steve Cropley (Autocar’s editor-in-chief), Matt Prior (Autocar road test editor), Dan Trent (PistonHeads.com editor), and Richard Bremner (Autocar contributing editor and overall curator), came together to compile the list of 50 contenders, which then went to a public vote.
Bremner said of the winner: “The Peugeot 205 GTi was unbeatable for its sheer rev-happy, go-hard verve and subtly perfect styling. Lightning-quick gearshifts, urgent power delivery, blade-sharp steering and deliciously driftable handling made the 205 an overnight hot hatch king.”
The 205 GTi was launched in 1984 and helped make the Peugeot brand synonymous with the hot hatch movement of the mid-1980s.
Offered with 1.6 and 1.9-litre engines, the latter of which developed 130 bhp from 1987 onwards, and weighing just 850kg, the 205 GTi delivered sports-car rivalling pace coupled with the practicality and versatility of a small family car.
It attracted a very strong and enthusiastic following that led to 294,514 being made between 1985 and 1994 and it also drew plenty of critical acclaim for its driving experience, engaging handling and affordable smiles-per-mile.
As well as being a monumental sales success, the 205 GTi was also highly-credited in the motor sport world.
The accomplished 205 T16 convincingly won the 1985 and 1986 World Rally Championship and the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1987 and 1988.
Chris Graham has been appointed managing director of the newly-acquired Citroën & DS Ireland. Chris actually commenced his new role last October when IM European Motors, a division of IM Group, acquired Citroën Motors Ireland from PSA Peugeot Citroën.
Chris, from Lincolnshire, but currently living in Malahide, north Dublin, is responsible for overseeing the sale, distribution, marketing and aftersales care of the Citroën & DS brands in Ireland and is also managing director of the company’s retail unit in Airside Motor Park, Citroën Dublin.
Prior to his move to Ireland, Chris has worked within IM Group for 20 years managing their extensive franchise network in the UK.
