Peugeot 206 makes history

Six years after the Peugeot 206 went on sale in the UK, some 520,000 vehicles have been sold and the classic design has attracted buyers from all walks of life, making it the top selling retail car for three consecutive years - 2001, 2002 and 2003.

At launch the 206 was available in three- and five-door versions with a choice of three petrol engines, ranging in power output from 60 bhp to 90 bhp and one normally aspirated diesel engine producing 70 bhp.

The vehicle was produced at only two production centres, Mulhouse in France and Ryton in the UK.

Today the 206 range has grown to include a GTi, coupé-cabriolet and SW versions.

Setting standards has been a key word in the development of the 206. It brought the first electric folding roof coupé-cabriolet to the volume car market; it introduced multiplexing technology into the small car segment of the volume car market, and now is the only diesel B segment car fitted with a particle emission filter. And of course it was the base vehicle for the successful 206 WRC (winner of three World Rally Championships - 2000, 2001 and 2003).

From those early days of only eight members in the family, it has grown into a family of 51 versions, produced in seven production centres around the world.

So far over 4.5 million 206es have been sold worldwide since its launch in 1998 and it is sold in 85 different world markets.

It is already the fastest selling Peugeot vehicle to achieve over four million sales, a feat it achieved in less than six years. The previous holder of the title, the Peugeot 205, took over nine years to reach the same sales volume.

The 206 Xline is on sale from Lm5,720. Test drives could be arranged by calling 7940-6607. Hassle free part exchanges are effected too - all makes are considered.

Michael Attard Limited is the local Peugeot distributor, with its main showroom in National Road, Blata l-Bajda. and another in Psaila Street, St Venera. Visit www.peugeot.com.mt