Saving the entire PSA group, dominating the rally scene with wild turbo lions, getting electric city runabouts going and changing the world of small cars with seductive organic forms: the Peugeot 205 presented in 1983 was a jack of all trades, which the French dubbed the “Sacré Numero” celebrated.

Does the world need a small car that can jump off cliffs and speed through deserts? A city car that is as expensive as a Ferrari with turbo power, but only has an electric range of just under 100 kilometers? Of course, Peugeot decided, and promptly made the small 205 presented on February 24, 1983 the largest number in the history of the lion brand.

With around 5.3 million units sold in 15 years of production, the 205 surpassed all its predecessors and is still the second most successful Peugeot model – behind the successor 206. In fact, Peugeot marketing even glorified the 205 as the Sacré Numéro (“sacred number”) , but also “strong appearance”) and launched corresponding special models.

After all, Europe’s largest carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroën was on the financial brink 40 years ago and the 3.70 meter short 205 was the last hope for the Gauls. Much like the Golf had saved VW ten years earlier, the 205 was meant to lead the French into the future. This as a chic three- and five-door hatchback, as an elegant cabriolet from Pininfarina, but above all as a fast GTI, and under the type code Turbo 16 as an ultra-expensive street racer and rally world champion of the notorious group B, not to forget victories at the Paris dakar

In 1983, of all things, diesel engines gave the first indication of the potential of this multi-talented Peugeot model. Rough running and expensive self-igniters in small cars? VW Polo and Opel Corsa have not done so for the time being. The highly efficient 1.8-liter diesel engine in the Peugeot 205 delivered just 44 kW/60 hp, which was enough for brisk performance that a Mercedes 200 D driver could only dream of. And with a sensational standard consumption of 3.9 liters, a tank filling in the 205 D was enough for almost 1300 kilometers.

With this little one, Peugeot finally rose to become the world’s largest diesel engine manufacturer – and into the club of hip hot hatches. In addition, they presented even more agile turbo diesels in Sochaux, but above all the 205 GTI petrol engine with up to 94 kW/128 hp, which the specialist media celebrated as the “GTI among the GTIs”. A wild muscle mini that celebrated a market launch in James Bond style: In a spectacular commercial, the 205 “Gran Turismo Injection” was chased by a powerful attack helicopter with rocket launchers, and then jumped over a cliff at the edge of a precipice into nothingness – where the rescue parachute opened.

A dramatic picture that certainly had references to reality. Because there it was up to Sacré Numéro 205 to save the oldest still existing automobile brand in the world. What happened? In the 1970s, Peugeot took over its financially ailing competitors Citroën and Chrysler Europe (Talbot) and then tried in vain to profitably market the confusing conglomerate of models. Added to this was the lack of fascination of many types, so the brave Peugeot 104 provided the basis for the almost identical parallel models Citroën LN and Talbot Samba.

This badge engineering was not enough, in the years 1979 to 1982 alone the European market share of the PSA group led by Peugeot fell by more than a third. A fresh striker with a legendary number was needed. That is why the 105, which had been in development since 1977, was transformed into the 205, since Peugeot’s 2-series models such as the 201, 203 and 204 were traditionally responsible for revolutions.

And the Peugeot 205 acted as a game changer right from the start. Its design was not designed by star couturier Pininfarina like so many Peugeot models. Instead, the Peugeot design studio led by Gérard Welter was allowed to design the 205 in forward-looking organic shapes with large glass surfaces. The three-door version of the 205 offered a surprisingly independent coupé character with rounded rear side windows and massive C-pillars. A sporty look that particularly benefited the powerful 205 GTI.

On the home market, the lion cub proved to be a fighter with such sharp claws that it immediately outclassed arch-rival Renault 5. Peugeot had calculated with a daily production of 1700 units of its new popular model, but in fact 2700 orders were received every day in the first year. And at the age of nine, the 205 topped the French registration charts. In Germany, too, the charming little boy was good for best values, which neither Renault nor Fiat (Uno) could prevent: In 1986, the 205 took first place in import registrations. Incidentally, the 205 was not only built in five European plants, but also as a world car in South America and Asia.

It was the huge variety of variants that drove the hype surrounding the 205 to new heights. From 1986 onwards, a cabriolet version created by Pininfarina became the most coveted sun worshiper among the smallest four-seaters at the time. Panel van versions of the 205 anticipated the practical Peugeot Partner, with an unusual four-speed automatic transmission, the 205 became a favorite of many women and the 205 Électrique caused a stir as a pioneer of battery-electric vehicles.

Its huge nickel-cadmium battery blocks only stored energy for around 100 kilometers, but this electric car paved the way for the Peugeot 106, which caused a sensation from the 1990s onwards as the world’s most successful electric car at the time.

And then there were the very furious wingers. While the light 205 GTI hardly gave larger compacts like the Golf GTI a chance, the 205 Turbo 16 was a mid-engine racing machine for rally tracks. In order to achieve homologation, Peugeot produced 200 road-legal units of this 177 kW/240 hp four-wheel drive vehicle, which were offered in Germany at the then exorbitantly high price of 94,400 marks. More than was charged for a Ferrari 308 GTB, which only made the 205 Turbo 16 even more desirable. After all, this Peugeot had what it takes to be the world rally champion in 1985 and 1986.

The wildest model from the lion brand then made the desert its living room, winning the Dakar rallies in 1987 and 1988. And today? Is the 205 unforgettable, because without it there would probably be no modern Peugeot 208.

The relevance of the 205 as a classic is explained by expert Christoph Pichura from the classic car rating organization Classic Analytics: “Because of its sleek design, the 205 not only won the hearts of women, and the powerful diesel engine in particular often caused astonished faces among drivers of larger cars at traffic lights. However, the most popular model is still the 205 GTI, which costs around EUR 15,000 in good condition.The 205 Rallye 1.3, which is powered by two Weber carburetors, remains an insider tip among connoisseurs, however.The 205 Turbo 16, the basic model for rallying, is even more expensive , you have to pay at least 200,000 euros for this.”

Chronicle

1972: Peugeot presents the 104 model as the new small car and the shortest four-door passenger car from European production, which is built in 1.6 million units until 1988

1974-76: Takeover and rescue of the insolvent brand Citroën by Peugeot

1977: Start of development for a successor to the Peugeot 104, the designated Type 105; it is the start of the “Projet M24”, and with it the 205 history

1978: The Projet M24 model is to be based on the Peugeot 104 platform and use four-cylinder engines with a capacity of 1.0 to 1.4 liters and later also feature diesel engines and GTI injections. The Peugeot design team under Gérard Welter developed a design concept in rounded bioforms as an alternative to the angular Pininfarina concept, which also takes up elements of the Peugeot 305 and 505 and Simca 1307/1308 models. Because Peugeot takes over the European brands of the American Chrysler Group (Simca, Hillman, Humber, Sunbeam et cetera) and thus becomes Europe’s largest car manufacturer

1979: Already in October of the previous year, Peugeot preferred the in-house design to the Pininfarina proposal, now the finalization of the Projet M24 takes place as a Peugeot 205 in three- and five-door form

1980: The final design of the 205 is finalized in the spring. The interior design is developed under the direction of Paul Bracq. Merger of Peugeot and Talbot. Financial losses and restructuring over four years

1981: The 205 enters the testing phase with prototypes. Peugeot’s general manager Jean Boillot decides that the 205 will be positioned between the 104 and the 305 and the 104 will remain in production in parallel. With the Pininfarina designed and built Talbot Samba Cabriolet (Peugeot 104 basis), the Peugeot Group is back in the small four-seater cabriolet segment. At Pininfarina, plans for the Peugeot 205 convertible and the 205 as a break (station wagon) mature

1982: Start of production for the Peugeot 205 in Mühlhausen/France in November. Other plants will follow later, and in the end the 205 will be built in England, Spain, Chile, Iraq, Indonesia and Taiwan

1983: At the end of January, the Peugeot 205 is presented to the press in a static manner, followed by press test drives in Morocco. Market launch for the five-door in France on February 20, debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and market launch in Germany in September. The toughest rival for the Peugeot 205 is the Fiat Uno, which was also presented at the beginning of the year. The Peugeot 205 is the winner of the UK’s Golden Steering Wheel and Car of the Year media awards, but European Car of the Year is the Fiat Uno, narrowly ahead of the 205th launch of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 motorsport performer, as well as the Peugeot 205 Multi panel van , realized by coachbuilders Gruau and Durisotti and sold through Peugeot dealers. In cooperation with the battery manufacturer Saft, Peugeot is developing a fully electric 205

1984: At the Geneva Motor Show in February, Pininfarina shows the 205 Verve in station wagon design, but Peugeot decides against series production. Style elements of the 205 Verve can be found later in the 405 Break. The sporty 205 GTI will also be introduced in February. Presentation and start of production for the 205 Électrique. First victory in the World Rally Championship, the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland. Peugeot starts in cooperation with Pininfarina the development of a new convertible model based on the 205. The hapless Talbot Samba Cabrio is to be replaced by the open 205, especially since Peugeot wants to discontinue the Talbot brand completely. Thanks to the Peugeot 205, the PSA Group is not in the red for the first time since 1979

1985: The Peugeot 205 is the winner of the German media award “Best Small Car” (five times in a row until 1989). Winner of the drivers’ and manufacturers’ classifications in the World Rally Championship for the Peugeot 205, as well as winning the title in the German Rally Championship. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the cooperation between Peugeot and Pininfarina, the Italians present a Peugeot Coupé Concept handles 4 and the 205 as a series-ready convertible

1986: The Peugeot 205 Cabriolet celebrates its public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, followed by international sales of the 205 CT and 205 CTI Cabriolet models. The 205 is now optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission and the 94 kW/128 hp 205 GTI 1.9 is celebrated by the specialist media as one of the most agile compact sports cars. With 56,081 registrations, the 205 is the best-selling import car in Germany. Every second new Peugeot produced is a 205. Successful defense of the brand title in the World Rally Championship. Another title win in the German Rally Championship

1987: Thorough facelift in the interior and exterior in September. The 205 Turbo 16 wins the Paris-Dakar Rally. In Pikes Peak, a Peugeot 205 takes second place, but becomes the crowd’s favourite. Large-scale tests in La Rochelle, Brussels and Antwerp with electric Peugeot 205

1988: The Peugeot 205 CJ is available as a 1.4-litre entry-level version of the convertible range, optionally with a catalytic converter. After the Peugeot 104 had been phased out, the special model Peugeot 205 Junior was launched in May as an inexpensive basic version, and from September also with a regulated three-way catalytic converter. New four-cylinder TU engine family. In addition, facelift for the entire 205 series. A Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 wins the Paris-Dakar Rally again

1989: New 1.1 liter Cabriolet base version Peugeot 205 CJ with regulated three-way catalytic converter. The special model Peugeot 205 Rallye based on GTI makes its debut in December. Other special models are the types Peugeot 205 Roland Garros and 205 handles. On July 10, the three millionth Peugeot 205 rolls off the assembly line. Los Angeles City Council has expressed interest in purchasing 3,000 electric Peugeot 205s

1990: In France, the 205 takes pole position in the registration statistics, also in the following year, when the Peugeot 106 is already being introduced. New special model Peugeot 205 Color Line

1991: New special models Peugeot 205 Gentry and 205 Indiana

1992: New special model Peugeot 205 Collection

1993: The 205 Cabriolet Roland Garros with an output of 55 kW/75 hp develops into a fan edition that is bought by collectors. Also new is the special model Peugeot 205 Winner

1994: In January, Peugeot presents the special model 205 Sacré Numéro on the home market, which is sold until October. With the new 205 Fourgonnette panel van, Peugeot is offering a small commercial vehicle that, however, only achieves respectable success on the market. From 1996, the successor will be the Peugeot Partner. The special models Peugeot 205 Forever and 205 Cabriolet (as a standard type for the convertible) will follow in March.

1995: The Peugeot 205 Cabriolet is finally removed from the price lists after 71,125 units have been built. It is succeeded by the four-seater Peugeot 306 Cabriolet presented in 1994 without a roll bar

1996: End of imports for the Peugeot 205 in Germany and after ten years production phase-out of the Peugeot 205 in Indonesia

1998: In France, production of the Peugeot 205 ends in December. It will be succeeded by the Peugeot 206, which will be produced in the French plants in Poissy and Mühlhausen in around 8.4 million units by 2013 and then replaced by the Peugeot 207 (in production since 2006) and The Peugeot 208 presented in 2012 will be replaced. In other countries like Iran, production of the Peugeot 206 continues to this day

2018: The Peugeot 206, which continues to be built internationally, reaches the 10 million production mark, while in France, after the 207 series, the 208 type now occupies the position of the classic Peugeot small car

2019: The second generation of the Peugeot 208, which has been built to this day, is presented as the e-208, also with a fully electric drive. In the run-up to the event, Peugeot is launching a Grand Tour for classic Peugeot 205s, which will run from Mühlhausen to Geneva, where the new 208 will premiere

2022: The Peugeot 208 dethrones the VW Golf as the best-selling car in Europe, around 207,000 Peugeot units are sold this year

2023: Peugeot and the community celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 205 model with numerous events. The celebrations begin at Retromobile in Paris with the display of a rare 205 GTI Griffe from 1991. At the same time, Peugeot announces its “e-Lion” project, which envisages offering only battery-electric vehicles from 2025, and that’s it End of the combustion versions for the 208 in sight