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Peugeot 206

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Peugeot 206: Peugeot 206: Europe's Best-Selling Supermini
Photo: A.BourgeoisP / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Peugeot 206: Europe's Best-Selling Supermini

The 206 was a runaway sales success for Peugeot and even had a genuine WRC rally pedigree.

Introduced in the late 1990s, the Peugeot 206 became one of the best-selling cars in Europe, offered in hatchback, convertible, and estate body styles that covered nearly every buyer's needs. Its rounded, friendly styling helped it stand out in a crowded supermini segment.

Peugeot also built a proper hot version, the 206 GTI and later the RC, giving the range some genuine driving credibility beyond its reputation as an economical city car. That performance pedigree was reinforced by the 206 WRC, which competed successfully in the World Rally Championship.

Decades after launch, the 206 remains a common sight on European roads, valued for cheap running costs and simple mechanicals, even as newer generations of superminis have taken over showroom floors.

Frequently asked questions about Peugeot 206

What body styles did the Peugeot 206 come in?
The 206 was offered as a hatchback, a convertible (CC), and an estate (SW), covering a wide range of buyer needs.
Did the Peugeot 206 have a performance version?
Yes, the 206 GTI and later the 206 RC offered sharper handling and more power, building on the brand's hot hatch heritage.
Was the Peugeot 206 successful in rallying?
Yes, the 206 WRC competed successfully in the World Rally Championship, adding motorsport credibility to the road car range.
How long was the Peugeot 206 in production?
The 206 launched in 1998 and remained in production for many years, with manufacturing continuing in some markets well into the 2010s alongside its successors.
Is the Peugeot 206 a reliable used car?
Well-maintained examples are generally cheap to run and mechanically simple, though age-related electrical and rust issues are common on older cars.

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