Peugeot 306 GTI-6 (1996)



Car magazines here used to call Peugeot 306 GTI-6 "King of the Twisty". While that title might be a little exaggerated – a fast Impreza, Evo or Integra Type R certainly ran faster on twisty roads it did reflect how great the Peugeot controlled its motion and engaged its driver on challenging roads. Judging on pure driving fun instead of speed, the 306 GTI-6 deserved the highest regard. It had one of the most feelsome helms in the industry, which told you the surface textures, how much grip was left and how hard it was cornering by varying weight and twitching in your hands. Few cars could match its eagerness to slip into corners. Its passive rear-wheel steering – enabled by using soft bushings at its torsion-beam rear axle – resulted in a turn-in sharper than many rear-drive machines. Its interactive chassis balance encouraged you to apply lift-off oversteer to aid cornering. Mind you, it was far safer than the old 205 GTI, because the oversteer was more progressive and it occurred only when you pushed the car very hard. The 306 GTI-6 also displayed terrific body control and a surprisingly compliant ride. In addition to the spacious cabin, supportive bucket seats and family-hatch usability, it was truly an all-rounder!



The GTI-6 started life in 1993 as 306 S16. Although that car shared most of its excellent handling and ride, it lacked a good powertrain to match. In 1996, Peugeot updated it to GTI-6 (the French market and most European countries kept the S16 badge) with a refreshed face, a heavily improved engine and a new 6-speed gearbox (which explained its new name). The 2-liter 16-valve engine got a new aluminum resonance intake manifold and tuned exhaust manifold for smoother power delivery and a better torque curve. Lighter con-rods and valve tappets raised its maximum rev to 7300 rpm, enabling a free-revving manner not found on its predecessor, while lifting output from the previous 150 hp (or 155 hp non-cat) to 167 hp. It was not as powerful as Honda's VTEC or Mitsubishi's MIVEC at the very top end, but it was easily more flexible and more usable at lower rev. Meanwhile, the 6-speed gearbox offered smooth and precise gearchange, and its closely stacked ratios aid acceleration in the twisty.



A striped-out version called 306 Rallye was offered as well. It discarded air-con, power windows and some sound-deadening materials for reduced weight. Naturally, it got the favour of enthusiast magazines, if not actual buyers.

Today, the 306 GTI-6 and Rallye might look painfully slow from figures, but their ability to engage and thrill the driver is largely lost in modern hot hatches, including Peugeot's own 206 S16/GTI, 207 RC/GTI and 308 GT. It could be the last great Peugeot hot hatch.

Specifications

Model
Peugeot 306 GTI-6
Year of production
1996-2001
No. produced
N/A
Layout
Front-engined, Fwd
Engine
Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl.
Capacity
1998 cc
Power
167 hp
Torque
145 lbft
Gearbox
6M
Suspension
F: strut; R: torsion-beam
Tires
195/55VR15
Weight
1214 kg
Top speed
130 mph*
0-60 mph
7.9 sec*
0-100 mph
21.5 sec*
 
* Tested by Autocar


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