1984 Peugeot 205

This 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 is one of 200 examples produced by Peugeot-Talbot Sport (PTS) to homologate the model for Group B competition in World Rally Championship racing events. Chassis 091 is said to have been acquired new by General Motors via then subsidiary Lotus to be utilized for development of active vehicle dynamic control systems. The car is reportedly one of approximately 30 examples optioned with the PTS Clubman Package, which further reduced weight and added an aluminum roll cage along with upgraded engine components, additional cooling elements, shorter gear ratios, and a revised exhaust system. Finished in dark grey over black upholstery, the car is equipped with a turbocharged 1,775cc inline-four that sends power to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle. An active suspension system and four-wheel steering have been added by Lotus, and additional equipment includes metric alloy wheels, quarter panel intakes, and an integrated roof spoiler. Following the car’s testing period, it was brought stateside and placed in the General Motors Heritage Center of Sterling Heights, Michigan, where it remained through 2018. This 205 Turbo 16 was recently acquired by the selling dealer and is now offered with a clean Texas title. In the 1980s, General Motors began developing and testing active suspension systems to be utilized in road-going vehicles. Circa 1984, GM called on its then subsidiary Lotus, who were concurrently developing such systems for use in Formula One to assist in expanding its offerings of active systems for vehicle dynamics control. Lotus sought out a high-performance, four-wheel-drive platform that could be easily modified, ultimately selecting the 205 Turbo 16. To streamline production, Peugeot elected to finish each car in Dark Charcoal with a left-hand-drive layout. French coachbuilder Heuliez built the cars using a standard 205 body, which was then modified with a vented hood, widened bodywork, an integrated roof spoiler, and quarter panel intakes. This example is said to be equipped with the optional PTS Clubman package, which stiffened the chassis via seam-welding and utilized lighter composite body panels, further reducing weight by approximately 240 pounds. White-finished 390mm alloy wheels are mounted with 190/65 Michelin TPX tires. Under General Motors’ ownership, the car was fitted with Lotus’ active suspension system, which utilized a network of electronics with sensors and computers stored in the front trunk as well as hydraulic components and modified differentials. The right quarter panel was modified to accommodate active suspension equipment, and a prototype four-wheel steering system engineered by Lotus was also installed. Stopping power is provided by disc brakes at each corner. The cockpit houses a pair of bucket seats trimmed in black leather with Peugeot-branded cloth inserts and Luke multi-point harnesses. An aluminum roll cage is said to have been installed as part of the PTS Clubman Package, and controls for the active suspension system are located below a digital clock. Additional appointments include power windows, drilled pedals, an emergency dump valve, and passenger-side controls for vehicle functions. The two-spoke steering wheel features a Turbo 16-branded horn button and frames Veglia instrumentation including a 270-km/h speedometer, a 10k-rpm tachometer, and a boost gauge. Supplementary gauges are housed centrally within the dashboard. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 16k kilometers (~10k miles), approximately 50 kilometers of which were added under current ownership. The turbocharged 1,775cc inline-four is mid-mounted transversely and is said to feature a dry-sump system with an oil cooler, higher-duration camshafts, reinforced pistons, stouter sleeves, a boost system upgrade, and a revised exhaust system as part of the Clubman Package. Output was rated at approximately 300 horsepower when new. Power is sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle equipped with shorter gear ratios over the standard Turbo 16. A second center differential was reportedly added by Lotus. A scrape is visible along the underside panel. The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists history in Vermont and Texas with an initial entry in April 2023.