Five millionth 206 produced

Peugeot's 206 on Thursday celebrated the five millionth model produced since its commercial launch on September 10, 1998.

This means that the all-time production record for a Peugeot model, held by the 205 with 5,278,000 models produced between 1983 and 1998, is on the way to being beaten.

It was in Mulhouse that the five millionth 206 was built - a 1.6-litre HDi coupé cabriolet with particle emission filter (PEF). The commercial destination of this coupé cabriolet is Germany where, for the sixth year in succession, the 206 has been voted best imported small car by readers of Auto Motor und Sport.

International commercial success

From 2001 to 2004, the 206 has been sold at an annual rate of more than 800,000 models. Marketed in 145 countries across the globe, its export rate, 82 per cent in 2004, illustrates the strength of the marque's international presence.

The best-selling vehicle in Europe from 2001 to 2003, the 206 today remains the leading model for registrations in its sector. It is moreover Europe's best selling diesel in the small car category.

To date, nearly 3.5 million 206s are being driven on the roads of Western Europe, testifying to the commercial success of a car that very quickly made its mark as a reference point, managing to reconcile, with a very assertive style, the generally opposed values of dynamic performance, comfort and safety.

By country, France is the leading market for the 206 with a total of more than 1.1 million registrations, followed by the United Kingdom (540,000), Italy (465,000), Spain (400,000) and Germany (331,000). The latter is also the leading market for the 206 CC, more than 300,000 of which have been sold to date in all countries combined.

Manufactured or assembled at six sites worldwide (Mulhouse and Poissy in France, Ryton in England and Iran Khodro in Iran), including two in South America (Porto Real in Brazil and Buenos Aires in Argentina), the daily rate of production of the 206 exceeds 3,100 units.

A daisy now with six petals

The perfect illustration of the so-called daisy strategy, the 206, currently available in five silhouettes - three- and five-door hatchback, SW, CC and RC - will shortly be joined by a new, booted saloon model for sale in a number of international markets as part of the partnership with Iran Khodro.

Each of these variants, with their assertive character, has won approval on the European market. Since 2000, the three- and five-door saloon version has been the uncontested leader of its segment; the SW, since 2003, has dominated the sub-segment of basic level estates; the 206 CC, for its part, made its mark in the coupé cabriolet category between 2001 and 2004 and remains the best-selling coupé cabriolet in its segment.

The 206 remains to this day the only model in its category to offer a diesel engine equipped with the PEF.

Triple World Rally Champion

An indisputable commercial success, the 206 in its WRC livery has also been a reference point in high-level sporting competitions, with three World Rally Champion "constructor" titles obtained in 2000, 2001 and 2002, as well as the "drivers" title, for Marcus Grönholm, in 2000 and 2002.

206cc HDi

Peugeot's 206 CC with a diesel engine is now also available in Malta. The 1.6-litre HDi, boasting 110 bhp, works even better thanks to the addition of a particle emission filter to protect the environment, while preserving the sense of freedom and pleasure only a cabriolet can offer.

Bright and fun to drive, with an engine that responds readily over a wide range of speeds, yet frugal in terms of fuel consumption (under five litres for a 100-kilometre trip) the 206 CC HDi also handles extremely well thanks to its cable-controlled gearbox, its smooth, accurate electrohydraulic steering, and the special acoustic damping of its engine.

To match their dynamism, all 206 CC HDi versions come with 16" alloy wheels and an electronic stability programme.

Available with either the 1.6-litre 16v petrol manual, or Porsche Tiptronic automatic gearbox, or by the 1.6-litre HDi PEF diesel, the 'basic' version offers the electrohydraulic roof (opens or closes in just 20 seconds, even at speeds of up to 10 km/h), four electric windows, full body colouring, fog lights, CD-radio and more.

It is available with aluminium livery, air-conditioning, metallic roll-over hoops and rubber trim carpets, aluminium pedal bracket gear lever knob and door sills.

Sport pack

This version goes one engine further... the 2.0-litre 16v petrol, comes with automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor and automatic activation of dipped beam, athermic windscreen and fully automatic air-conditioning. The Roland Garros offers all engines as well has leather trim on the seats and door panels, electric folding door mirrors, carpets and luggage net.

Options available on all models include the JBL 240 W hi-fi system

The 206 CC HDi is available fully loaded for Lm14,500 from Michael Attard Ltd. For more information or to book a test drive phone 7940-6607.