To
achieve this, Peugeot used a derivative of the TU-series engine used in the
post-1987 205s, which was designated TU24. The engine is essentially the same
engine as was in the 1.1-litre 205 with the cylinders bored out to a total
engine displacement of 1294 cc, a sports camshaft and twin Weber
carburetors. The 1.3-litre engine produced 103 PS (76 kW;
102 hp) at 6800 rpm. The car got the 1.6 GTI front suspension with
ventilated brake discs, and the 1.6 GTI rear axle with drum brakes.
The
205 Rallye was completely stripped of almost all soundproofing, electrical systems
or other luxury items, bringing down the weight to no more than 794 kg
(1,750 lb). Its minimalistic equipment, together with the high revs needed
to unleash all of the engine's horsepower gives the 205 Rallye a very spartan
character and makes it a difficult but rewarding car to drive hard, which is
one of the reasons it is now very popular among 205 GTI enthusiasts.
Around
30,000 Rallyes were produced, they were only sold in some countries on the
European mainland (including France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy and The
Netherlands).
The
distinctive aesthetic features of the 205 Rallye include the squarer wheel
arches (which are different from GTI arches), the steel body-coloured wheelrims
and the rainbow-coloured Peugeot-Talbot sport decals on the front grille and
the tailgate. They were only available in white and yellow. The Rallye was sold
with a reduced-weight interior with the Peugeot-Talbot sport logo embroidered
in the front seats.
From
1990 to 1992 Peugeot also built a 1.9-litre version of the 205 Rallye. Only
about 1000 of them were produced and they were only sold in Germany, because
the 1.3 version did not meet German road regulations. The 1.9 Rallye is just a
105 bhp (78 kW) 1.9 GTI with the Rallye bodyshell and the new-style
clear indicators and rear light units.
Although they are even rarer than the
1.3 Rallye, they are less popular among Peugeot enthusiasts, because they lack
the raw and spartan character of the 1.3 Rallye and are 150 kg
(331 lb) heavier. Peugeot also released a right hand drive Rallye version
of the 205 in the United Kingdom, it used a TU3.2 engine of 1.4-litre capacity,
which produced 75 bhp (56 kW; 76 PS) and achieved 107 mph
(172 km/h) with a 0-60 mph of 11.7 seconds.
After
the 205 Rallye, Peugeot again used the 'Rallye' designation for some of its 106
and 306 models.
