Published on: Jan 17, 2016 @ 20:36 Originally Published in: 2015 (old website) (C) Jay Auger - website owner & author Notice: Any form of duplication methods (including but not limited to copy/paste of text and screen capture) of the website's content is strictly forbidden.

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HISTORY
After Group B was banned for the WRC effective at the end of 1986, most manufacturers turned to rally raid and hill climb events to run their cars. By the end of 1987, the top rallycross fields were consisted almost entirely of Group B cars. A year later, Peugeot saw an opportunity to keep the 205 Turbo 16‘s immense prowess alive by running a car in the very popular French Rallycross Championship. To make sure that success would be achieved the Concessionaires Peugeot France team was put under the wing of Peugeot Talbot Sport (PTS).
For the 1988 running of the French series, PTS chose to use one of the three 1987 Pikes Peak edition 205 T16 “E3″s that were specially prepared for the famed American hill climb event. These cars were no longer bound by Group B regulations and sported various improvements that could be considered as the “third evolution” of the 205 T16 (more information about the performance package can be found HERE).
While the Pikes Peak 205 T16’s increased displacement, 1905cc XU9T engine had a claimed 550 BHP for 850 kg of weight, the rallycross version’s displacement was decreased to 1758cc to comply with the FIA’s 960 kg / 2115 lb weight class rules – but still produced a healthy 510 BHP and slightly more torque due to being less high-stung. The mated 6-speed transmission was amputated of its top gear since it was not needed in the tight rallycross courses.
In rallycross, almost everything else was permitted to gain an edge over the competitors so the car sported a new front lip spoiler and a latter addition incorporated a large supplemental rear wing for added downforce and increased traction at high speeds.
The combination would prove successful which resulted in three consecutive French Rallycross Championships from 1988 to 1990; with drivers Guy Fréquelin, Philippe Wambergue, and Jean-Manuel Beuzelin, respectively. After this incredible winning trilogy, Peugeot Talbot Sport would terminate all of its rally operations to instead concentrate on its new effort in the World Sportscar Championship.
SPECIFICATIONS
Group/Class | Formula A / Division 2 | French Championships: 3 (1988~1990) |
Years active | 1988~1990 | |
Engine | ||
Type | XU9T, I-4, DOHC 16v, gas | located middle-transverse |
Displacement | 1758 cc | (reduced from 1905 cc) |
Compression Ratio | 7.0:1 | |
Output Power – Torque | 510 HP @ 7500 rpm (claimed) | 398 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm (claimed) |
Materials | block: aluminium alloy | cylinder head: aluminium alloy |
Aspiration |
|
Boost: 40 psi (2.8 bar) |
Ignition | electronic, firing order 1-3-4-2 | |
Cooling System | water-cooled | |
Lubrication System | dry sump | |
Transmission | ||
Type | four-wheel drive | TJ type – 5 speed manual gearbox |
Gearbox Ratios | N/A |
|
Differential Ratio | 3.889 | spiral bevel gears center epicyclic differential with viscous coupling, hypoid spiral bevel gears limited slip 33% front and 67% rear ZF differentials |
Clutch | ventilated double plate |
Chassis / body | ||
Type | steel monocoque 20C central frame reinforced with tubular roll cage, steel subframe for front bay & suspension, and tube chassis for rear suspension & engine. 2 door hatchback steel bodyshell with polyester bonnets. Clamshells at front and rear made of polyester, and polyurethane bumpers. Front lip spoiler, and supplemental rear wings. | |
Front Suspension | double wishbones with coil spring, Bilstein shock absorbers and antiroll bar | |
Rear Suspension | double wishbones with coil spring, Bilstein shock absorbers and antiroll bar | |
Steering System | rack & pinion (power assisted) | 2.5 turns lock to lock |
Brakes | Front & Rear: ventilated discs 300mm diameter with 4 pot aluminium/magnesium calipers. | dual circuit with servo, adjustable ratio split front to rear |
Dimensions | ||
Length: – | Width: 1770 mm (69.7 in) | Height: – |
Wheelbase: 2540 mm (100 in) | Front Track: 1430 mm (56.3 in) | Rear Track: 1430 mm (56.3 in) |
Rims – Tires | 16 inch wheels | 22/64 16 Michelin |
Dry/Unladen Weight | 960 kg (2,115 lb) | Bias F/R%: 50-50 |
Weight/Power | 1.9 kg/HP (4.1 lb/HP) | |
Fuel Tank | 25 liters |
VIDEOS
REFERENCES
(C) Article by Jay Auger – website owner & author
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