If you ask most people what is the sweetest handling Peugeot ever made, almost all will say it’s the 205. The car also enjoyed a strong rally career and in 1984, the team signed Swedish driver Ari Vatanen to take the wheel of the 205 T16 for the factory team.
Vatanen won five world rallies in a row, from the 1000 Lakes Rally to 1985 Swedish Rally but later that year suffered a major accident that almost killed him. He made a full recovery and even raced a Peugeot 405 at pikes peak.
The French carmaker wants to recapture some of that lost zest and has launched a cool teaser featuring Ari and the brand new 208 Type R5 rally car. The Swede is now a politician, but strips off his tie and jacket to reveal the fire-resistant racing suit underneath.
"Based on an optimisation of costs, the regulations impose, among other things, a maximum price for certain parts and technical limitations such as a minimum weight of components of the chassis and engine. In addition, a certain number of components of the vehicle must be similar. The hub carrier is a perfect example. All four must be identical. This makes operation considerably easier and limits costs and stocking," said Bertrand Vallat, the project director for the 208 Type R5 said.
The French carmaker wants to recapture some of that lost zest and has launched a cool teaser featuring Ari and the brand new 208 Type R5 rally car. The Swede is now a politician, but strips off his tie and jacket to reveal the fire-resistant racing suit underneath.
"Based on an optimisation of costs, the regulations impose, among other things, a maximum price for certain parts and technical limitations such as a minimum weight of components of the chassis and engine. In addition, a certain number of components of the vehicle must be similar. The hub carrier is a perfect example. All four must be identical. This makes operation considerably easier and limits costs and stocking," said Bertrand Vallat, the project director for the 208 Type R5 said.