[jenic]

Seems they will no longer be making hot hatches full stop.

I know they haven't made a good one in years, the 306 being the last good GTi they made imo, but it seems a shame to lose the brand.

I think they have missed a trick in recent years, hot hatches are big in this country, I'm sure i read we buy more than anywhere else in the world.

The 205 is probably the 2nd most iconic gti ever built after the golf, with the 106 and 306 being great fun while they were available.

The dismal 206 gti 180 was a mistake, especially when it had to compete with the renaultsport clio and new mini cooper s, but they could of done something to keep up in the hot hatch market.

Peugeot axes GTI badge - Autocar.co.uk

[jenic]

Could of sworn i put this in motoring, could a mod move it?

[smokedog]

I'm not saddened in the least by this news. My first car was a 106 Xsi and my 2nd was a 106GTi.

You know what the say:
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me

They are not going to fool me thrice

[thesilverfox]

I'm sure I read somewhere that companies are not focusing too much on hot-hatches in the next year or two, but there may be more time spent looking at diesel hot hatches.

There's no doubt that there are plenty of HH's on the UK roads, but their intended markets (young males) generally can't get insured on them (and 90% of the time, rightly so).

The upside to this as far as I can see, is that it means Citroen will also no longer be attempting to make any performance models

[un1eash]

The climate and fuel prices are pushing hot hatches out. Manufactures arnt giving up yet though with things like the new seat ibiza FR with its 1.4 twin charger engine.

Citroens VTS badge isnt to bad, more warm then hot but they gave up on the VTR badge a long time ago.

[dan54]

Shame they dont axe the gaping mouth on the front instead.

[Decadence]

My 209 1.9 GTi was brilliant...even though stuff kept breaking...it was almost as much fun as my Mk1 Golf GTi...almost...the only two old cars I have hung on to are the Golf and a 1988 XR2, gathering dust somewhere in the back of a shed.

Anyway, back on topic...Peugeot has been the most bland of manufacturers for donkeys now, why this is even news is beyond me. I will never own another Pug as long as I live, unless a nice 205 1.9 GTi pops up for sale somewhere.

[jenic]

Originally Posted by thesilverfox

I'm sure I read somewhere that companies are not focusing too much on hot-hatches in the next year or two, but there may be more time spent looking at diesel hot hatches.

There's no doubt that there are plenty of HH's on the UK roads, but their intended markets (young males) generally can't get insured on them (and 90% of the time, rightly so).

This is the news that saddens me the most, hot hatches provide practical, affordable performance cars.

There are a lot of people who love them but like you say because of running costs they are put off. I'm only 19 and most my friends are looking to buy astra diesel sport hatches, focus titanium diesel's and those sort of cars. Simply because they are commuting and want to save money on fuel.

I'm lucky that i dont use my car to commute as i get a company vehicle and can buy pretty much whatever my insurance company decides they will cover me on, but its just a shame that at my age, these people who genuinely enjoy driving are buying such boring cars.

[thesilverfox]

Originally Posted by jenic

This is the news that saddens me the most, hot hatches provide practical, affordable performance cars.

There are a lot of people who love them but like you say because of running costs they are put off. I'm only 19 and most my friends are looking to buy astra diesel sport hatches, focus titanium diesel's and those sort of cars. Simply because they are commuting and want to save money on fuel.

I'm lucky that i dont use my car to commute as i get a company vehicle and can buy pretty much whatever my insurance company decides they will cover me on, but its just a shame that at my age, these people who genuinely enjoy driving are buying such boring cars.

It's a shame, yeah, but at the end of the day, there's nothing we can do if insurance companies decide (usually for a good reason) that young drivers are risky. Not to mention rising fuel prices ...

Though you can't hold it against someone to want to save money in a recession I guess. I have a 1.8 TDCi Focus Titanium, and it's far from boring (though I do have every toy under the sun for some reason), but not a patch on my ST170 for outright fun.

However, don't be too quick to write off the diesels. The Astra 1.9 CDTi 150bhp is quick; handles like turd, but it's quick. Have a go in any of the 3.0 diesels out there (BMW/GM/VAG) and you might change your mind I'm certainly considering diesel again as a hot(ter) hatch, as the next gen engines are all good for at least 200bhp on a 4-pot 2.0 litre!

[Perceval]

Originally Posted by Decadence

My 209 1.9 GTi was brilliant...even though stuff kept breaking...it was almost as much fun as my Mk1 Golf GTi...almost...the only two old cars I have hung on to are the Golf and a 1988 XR2, gathering dust somewhere in the back of a shed.

Anyway, back on topic...Peugeot has been the most bland of manufacturers for donkeys now, why this is even news is beyond me. I will never own another Pug as long as I live, unless a nice 205 1.9 GTi pops up for sale somewhere.

I had a 205 GTI 1.9 many, many moons ago. The handling was hilarious especially lift off oversteer.

Like many of them, mine was stolen never to be seen again.

Maybe one of the most fun cars I have ever owned.

[Miss Chief]

I currently have a 306 GTI-6 and love it lots and lots! the poise, handling and balance are superb and it's got enough shove to make it useful too! Shame it keeps needing something done to it every month (or it seems like that!)

[apolloa]

Originally Posted by jenic

Seems they will no longer be making hot hatches full stop.

I know they haven't made a good one in years, the 306 being the last good GTi they made imo, but it seems a shame to lose the brand.

I think they have missed a trick in recent years, hot hatches are big in this country, I'm sure i read we buy more than anywhere else in the world.

The 205 is probably the 2nd most iconic gti ever built after the golf, with the 106 and 306 being great fun while they were available.

The dismal 206 gti 180 was a mistake, especially when it had to compete with the renaultsport clio and new mini cooper s, but they could of done something to keep up in the hot hatch market.

Peugeot axes GTI badge - Autocar.co.uk

Couldn't agree more mate. I was looking at the 206 estate with the GTI engine in it, that was before the scrappage scheme came in and so when I was looking at new cars, I didn't even bother looking at a Pug because they were just bland and boring IMO, the 207 GTI looks fugly IMO with the front looking like designer jewellery and Top Gear slated the 207. My brother in law had the 1.9 205 GTI, that was mental, then he had the 206 GTI which was pretty good but not as much fun.
Now I have my Fezza and even my mum who has had 3 205's and is still on her last one, she doesn't drive much these day's, said she would get a new Fiesta if she had the money.

Plus the fact Ford stated no Fiesta ST due to the recession etc, but as we know they probably will build one.
I think they've let the competition get the better of them which is a shame as they had a reputation for great handling cars.
Well, I already said this may be my last ever none hybrid car, times are changing, turbo engines are in, big V12's and V10's are out.

[markonline1]

Originally Posted by thesilverfox

However, don't be too quick to write off the diesels. The Astra 1.9 CDTi 150bhp is quick; handles like turd, but it's quick. Have a go in any of the 3.0 diesels out there (BMW/GM/VAG) and you might change your mind I'm certainly considering diesel again as a hot(ter) hatch, as the next gen engines are all good for at least 200bhp on a 4-pot 2.0 litre!

I wouldn't say it handles like a turd, but it could be better. The good thing is though that is simple to transform the handling. Again performance is what I would call warm, but again for a couple of hundred quid you can turn it into a sub 7 second pocket rocket. As a diesel convert I'm pleased to hear manufacturers are going to concentrate on producing performance diesels.
As for the death of the Pug GTis, like most here, I see it as no loss. As the previous owner of a 205 GTi, I think Pugueots hayday was a good few years ago now.

[jenic]

Originally Posted by thesilverfox

Though you can't hold it against someone to want to save money in a recession I guess. I have a 1.8 TDCi Focus Titanium, and it's far from boring (though I do have every toy under the sun for some reason), but not a patch on my ST170 for outright fun.

However, don't be too quick to write off the diesels. The Astra 1.9 CDTi 150bhp is quick; handles like turd, but it's quick. Have a go in any of the 3.0 diesels out there (BMW/GM/VAG) and you might change your mind I'm certainly considering diesel again as a hot(ter) hatch, as the next gen engines are all good for at least 200bhp on a 4-pot 2.0 litre!

Got to admit there are some good diesels out there, but i'd still rather have a revvy petrol under the bonnet. If i needed better fuel economy i'd go for a diesel tbh. And with exception of BMW's (who must be using fairy dust) imo most other manufacturers petrols are better than their same capacity diesels.

Originally Posted by apolloa

Plus the fact Ford stated no Fiesta ST due to the recession etc, but as we know they probably will build one.
I think they've let the competition get the better of them which is a shame as they had a reputation for great handling cars.
Well, I already said this may be my last ever none hybrid car, times are changing, turbo engines are in, big V12's and V10's are out.

Was recently looking at an 08 ST instead of the 182 and complained to the dealer how crap it was inside compared to the new fiesta. He said to wait 12-18 months as they were announcing a new ST

Cant see why he'd lie tbh, he lost a sale ateotd.

[thesilverfox]

Originally Posted by jenic

Got to admit there are some good diesels out there, but i'd still rather have a revvy petrol under the bonnet. If i needed better fuel economy i'd go for a diesel tbh. And with exception of BMW's (who must be using fairy dust) imo most other manufacturers petrols are better than their same capacity diesels.

Yeah it's fun revving to 7250rpm (last car lol) but it was annoying in hindsight, having to rev hard to get the power out of the N/A engine. However, that was really part of the fun I suppose - the engine note was excellent and the 65mm bore exhaust was perfect.

200 ponies in a diesel engine for me is quite a practical prospect; but then a hot hatch isn't always meant to be practical - it's about the fun and only the fun!