" With legendary drivers like Ari Vatanen, Michèle Mouton and Juha Kankkunen behind the wheel, and future Ferrari F1 team principal Jean Todt at the helm, Peugeot and the 205 T16 were the true mid-80s WRC superpower.
Ah the French
Ah, the French. Citroen tried to develop a Gp B car with the BX but that was too long, too weird and just too, well, Citroen to have been successful.
Renault came up with the mid-engined 5 turbo that was outclassed everywhere frankly. So it was left to Peugeot to rescue Gallic pride with their 205 T16. A pretty car that was never as powerful as some others it nonetheless dominated the 1985 and 1986 seasons as it was reliable, fast and relatively easy to drive. Carlton Boyce Carvaluation.com |
legendary drivers
Best moment: Claiming two straight Constructors' and Drivers' titles (with Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen) in 1985 and 1986
Worst moment: Ari Vatanen’s career-destroying crash in his 205 T16 at the 1985 Rally Argentina Why we picked it: The little Peugeot was the dominant car of the late Group B era When the Peugeot 205 T16 arrived in the World Rally Championship midway through the 1984 season, it immediately became the Group B car to beat. Taking its first stage win just two tests into its WRC debut at the '84 Tour de Corse, the 205 T16 would go on to claim one in two of every WRC round it was entered into. With legendary drivers like Ari Vatanen, Michèle Mouton and Juha Kankkunen behind the wheel, and future Ferrari F1 team principal Jean Todt at the helm, Peugeot and the 205 T16 were the true mid-80s WRC superpower. Greg Stuart Red Bull |
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