Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6
Peugeot turned its tiny 205 into a light, eager sports car with room for friends and shopping.
1986 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 at Lane Motor Museum · TaurusEmerald · CC BY-SA 4.0 International
More than a set of wheels.
The first Peugeot 205 GTI arrived in 1984 with a 1.6-litre injected engine and 105 hp. It kept the useful hatchback shape but added a close-ratio five-speed gearbox, firmer running gear and instantly recognisable red trim. This page is about that original 105 hp French-market car. The cover photo shows the same 1.6 variant in 1986, so small visible details may differ from the 1984 launch car.
Look a little closer.
Peugeot’s own history describes the first 1.6 as weighing only 848 kg—less than many modern city cars.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Lightness as a performance part
The 205 GTI’s low mass helps in several directions at once: the engine has less weight to accelerate, the brakes have less to slow down, and the tyres have less to change direction. Peugeot cites 848 kg for the first 1.6-litre model.
Source: Peugeot · 10 reasons the 205 GTI matters ↗A recipe that kept changing
The launch engine made 105 hp. Peugeot raised the 1.6 to 115 hp for 1986 and introduced a 1.9-litre version with 130 hp. This profile avoids mixing those later outputs with the original car.
Source: Peugeot · GTI models through the years ↗Where these facts come from
- Peugeot · 10 reasons the 205 GTI matters
- Peugeot · GTI models through the years
- FIA Historic Database · Peugeot 205 GTI
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.