Tehama Trading Company - PEUGEOT 206 XR

PEUGEOT 206 XR - Highlights

Highlights

1.6-LITRE (TU5 JP) - The 206 XR and 206 XT are powered by the same 1.6-litre, multi-point, fuel-injected, four cylinder engine.

This new-to-Australia, transversely mounted, single overhead cam unit has been upgraded substantially for use in 206.

The main focus has been on lowering the weight of the piston assembly, friction reduction, the addition of a single-belt accessory drive system, simplification of the cooling system and modifications to the engine mounts.

Developing 67 kW at 5600 rpm and peak torque of 137 Nm at 3000 rpm the engine features roller-type rocker arms which has reduced friction on the cam and improved fuel consumption, "flash Eprom" type electronic injection and a compact ignition coil block sitting on top of the spark plugs.

All ancillaries (alternator, power-steering, air-con, etc) are driven by a single, six groove, poly-V belt and the engine mounting system includes a front-end strut which attaches to a hydrolastic block to reduce transmission of engine operating noise.

Engine cooling system hoses are as short as possible to reduce weight and a single cartridge-type assembly accommodates the aluminium core radiator, electric cooling fan and (where fitted) air-conditioning condensor.

The air cleaner and its intake tube are made from polymer fibres calibrated for optimum acoustic absorption with a Helmholtz resonator added to further reduce induction noise levels.

The exhaust system features (multiple) stainless steel silencers and pipes made from aluminiumised steel.

High-tech touches such as a Teflon coated accelerator cable sleeve, fuel lines and snap-fit connections made from impermeable polyamide to prevent evaporation and a passively-armed engine immobiliser system reflect a strong commitment to engineering quality and innovation.

This all-new, 2.0-litre, double-overhead cam, 16-valve engine is only available in the high-performance 206 GTI.

Developing 102 kW of power and a solid 194 Nm of torque this engine weighs in at just 140 kg thanks mainly to the extensive use of light alloys and composite materials in its construction.

For example the compact engine block is made of light alloy, incorporating cast iron cylinder liners inserted on casting. And the crankshaft is retained by a one-piece cast aluminium cover, reinforced by cast iron inserts, the additional rigidity this delivers significantly reducing vibration.

Electronic control comprises Magneti Marelli 4.8P sequential injection and a SAGEM BBC 2.2 "twin-static" ignition.

The exhaust system runs from a "four in one" manifold sheathed in two welded shells to form a layer of air around it. This improves efficiency and reduces thermal inertia, shortening the time taken for the catalytic converter to reach full efficiency.

MA5/S - The 206 XR and 206 XT's 1.6-litre engine is mated to Peugeot's MA5/S five-speed manual gearbox.

This box is a single rail type with gear stick and knob "borrowed" from the 306 range. Shift travel has been designed to provide smooth yet positive gear selection.

BE4.5 - Mated to the 206 GTI's 102 kW four cylinder engine the BE4-5, five-speed manual gearbox has been developed from the BE3 series gearbox, as used in the 306 range.

It features new housings, improved internal lubrication and a reverse gear safety device. To reduce weight the transverse transmission half-shafts are hollow and their greater bending mode helps make them quieter compared to more conventional solid shafts.

AL4 - The AL4 "Auto-Active" gearbox (to be available on 206 XR and XT in the first quarter of 2000) is an electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

A Siemens computer fitted with self-test diagnostics, programmable memory and "fuzzy" programming logic controls the transmission.

A "smart", auto-adaptive program, comprising nine shift modes, alters gear shift points and torque converter lock-up according to 32 parameters relating to the driver's style, road profile, engine temperature and vehicle load.

As well, three push-buttons fitted close to the control lever enable the driver to select either the option of either locking into first gear, low road adherence or sport programs.

Whether it's the position of the accelerator, its speed of depression, the value of the engine torque, engine revs, rotation of the converter turbine or immediate and average speed, the data is obtained from the driver's behaviour and analysed by the computer. It then determines when the gearshifts should be made.

From the nine laws permanently available, three are chiefly devoted to driving (economy, medium, sport), three to variations in terrain, taking account of the vehicle load (sharp rise, gentle rise, descent) and the remaining three relate to the thermal conditions and the vehicle load (cold start, engine temperature, anti-pollution).

The control lever moves through a stepped grid and a remote display in the centre of the instrument cluster indicates current gear position.

The 206's suspension design is classic Peugeot with an inverse pseudo MacPherson strut set-up (with decoupled anti-roll bar) at the front and trailing arms at the rear.

Peugeot is famous for the design and manufacture of its own shock absorbers and the (nitrogen) gas pressurised units fitted to the 206 are no exception.

The front axle includes a fixed sub-frame mounted under the side members at the level of the front floor and the rear axle comprises a tubular cross member, two cast iron trailing arms.

Because the rear shock absorbers are inclined at such a large angle their upper housings do not encroach on the rear cargo space.

As well, the entire rear axle is fitted to the body structure by means of four flexible blocks with different hardnesses (two in front of the crossmembers, two behind).

To enhance ease of driving the pre-tensioned blocks are directed, at an angle of 25 degrees, towards the inside of the vehicle axis, to minimise wheel plane variations.

The power-assisted rack & pinion steering uses an alloy Saginaw vane pump which provides a constant fluid flow and a pressure sensor that maintains a constant idle speed, for example during a parking manouvre. A compact 9.8 metre turning circle provides exceptional manouverability.

The steering wheel on all models is height adjustable over a range of 35mm and now incorporates the horn (moved from a column stalk on other Peugeot models) and actuated by pressing on any part of the steering wheel pad.
All versions feature a diagonal split, dual circuit, hydraulic braking system with load dependent distribution or compensation.
The 206 XR and XT feature ventilated front disc brakes and rear drums with the high-performance GTI fitted with larger diameter discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. Additional cooling air is directed towards the front brakes via scoops built into the front suspension arms.

Four sensor (TEVES Mk20) anti-lock brakes are optional on 206 XT and standard on 206 GTI. When anti-lock is fitted to the XT the rear drum brakes step up from 180 mm x 30 mm to 203 mm x 38 mm.

The parking brake acts on the rear wheels and is self-adjusting by means of a compensator located under the centre console.