Peugeot 206

The Peugeot 206 is a model of Automobile produces by the manufacturer Peugeot, launched the September 10th 1998.

History

She downward is announced 205, her goal being to renew popularity and the success which had known its elder and of which business success had in particular saved the company, then confronted with the stagnation of the automobile industry of the beginning of the year 1980.

Positioned on the crenel of small general-purpose, very popular in Europe, it had the role of even consolidating to reinforce the weight of the company within the car manufacturers. Its success, partly dependant on a ratio cost/service positioned relatively better than that of its growingest old competitors, and with a Design answering the esthetic guns of its time, made of Peugeot the leader of this segment of the market between 1999 and 2002, in spite of the strong competition of the Renault Clio II, the other reference of the category.

The Peugeot 206 was largely declined in sporting versions: 206 S16, 206 WP, then Peugeot 206 RC. This car was the spearhead of the mark in rally with the Peugeot 206 WRC. Formulas more accessible to the amateurs of automobile sport were also developed: 206 Super 1600 and Stealing 206 XS in rally, Cut 206CC and RCC, but also 206 S16 " Rencontres" for the races on circuit.

Range

Range 206 is declined in six silhouettes:

Peugeot 206 3 and 5 the most sold doors (Truck), versions.
Peugeot 206 3 limited Serie doors WP (4 000 specimens), based on the 206 3 doors it was lengthened with 4m for the needs for the homologation of the 206 WRC.
the 206 DC is a half-compartment convertible. Its prototype bore the name of Twenty cur (20♥).
the 206 SW, alternative station-wagon of the Truck.
the 206 SD is a version four doors marketed in certain countries, produced in particular in Iran and China.
Another version exists in China under the name of C2 (platform and elements of body of the 206, new headlights and bumpers re-examined by Citroen).

Places of production

The 206 was produced with Mulhouse (which assembles all the DC) Poissy, Ryton, with Oporto Real and Buenos Aires and, as of the end of 2005 with Wuhan (China). It is assembled in CKD in Iran.

Future of the 206

The 207 which succeeds the 206, is based on the platform of the Citroen C3, was announced by the specialized press for beginning 2006. However, 206 remainder still produced several years with Ryton for the European market. After having reached a record of 843 000 vehicles produced in 2002, the 5 millionth 206 was produced the May 26th 2005. Its career is brought to last since its sales launch will be made in January 2006 in China (produced with Wuhan) and that a version 4 doors (sedan) even will be launched in Iran and in Argentine for the South American markets.

At the end of April 2007, while passing the course of the 6 000 000 produced specimens, Peugeot 206 became the most produced Peugeot of all the history of the mark, preceding rather largely its elder, the Peugeot 205. As comparison, the most sold French car is currently the Renault 4, with 8 million specimens, but over three decades instead of only one for Peugeot.

Citroen C2

In September 2006, Citroen announced marketing in China of its new model C2 . Completely different from the C2 sold in the rest of the world, this car is in fact largely derived from Peugeot 206. It is different from it especially on the level from the front face, adopting a Citroen identity and on the level of the back Hayon restylé.

C2 original was considered to be unsuited to the Chinese market. Moreover, the only local factory of PSA with Wuhan already producing six or seven models, it was not selected to launch there platform from C2, C3 and 207 but more simply to produce a derivative of the 206 already produced on the spot.

Others

The 206 has a single platform in the range PSA. However, certain elements of the 206 finds on other models like the external rear view mirrors on the Citroen Xsara Picasso (first generation), C3 and C2, and Peugeot 1007

Sources

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