The Peugeot 205 T16 was a mid-engined, four-wheel drive rally car built by Peugeot for the 1984 World Rally Championship season. The T16 was the first Peugeot rally car to feature four-wheel drive and a mid-mounted engine. It was an immediate success, winning the manufacturer’s championship in its first year of competition, and went on to win the 1985 and 1986 championships as well.
The T16 was designed by Jean Todt, who had been recruited from Fiat by Peugeot in 1981. Todt wanted to build a car that was capable of competing with the dominant Lancia 037 on the rally stages. To this end, the T16 was powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing up to 350bhp. Its four-wheel drive system was unique, with the front and rear axles powered by separate gearboxes. This gave the car an advantage in slippery conditions, allowing it to put its power down effectively.
The T16 made its debut at the 1984 Monte Carlo Rally, where it finished second behind the Lancia 037. However, this result was enough to convince Peugeot that they had a competitive car on their hands, and they went on to compete in the rest of the 1984 season. The T16 proved to be a dominant force, winning the manufacturers’ championship with ease.
The T16 went on to win the 1985 manufacturers’ championship, and again in 1986. The car was so successful that it was used by Peugeot until the end of the 1988 season, by which time it had won a total of 16 rallies. The T16 was replaced by the 205 Turbo 16 for the 1989 season, but the legacy of the T16 lives on, and it remains one of the most successful rally cars of all time.
The T16 was a revolutionary car in many ways. Its four-wheel drive system was a first for Peugeot, and its mid-engined layout set the blueprint for modern rally cars. It was also one of the first cars to feature a turbocharged engine, and its combination of power and grip made it a formidable force on the rally stages.
The T16 was a success not only on the rally stages, but also in the showroom. Peugeot produced a road-going version of the T16, called the Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9. This was a highly sought-after car, and it helped to cement the 205’s reputation as one of the most iconic hatchbacks of the 1980s.
The 205 T16 remains an icon of the World Rally Championship. Its success on the rally stages has been unmatched, and its influence on modern rally cars is unmistakable. It is a car that will be remembered for generations to come, and its legacy will live on in the hearts of rally fans around the world.
