- A convincing Peugeot 206 WRC look-alike is currently up for grabs on eBay.
- The replica features a bodykit, 18-inch wheels, and a stripped-out interior.
- The donor car is a UK-spec Peugeot 206 GTi 180 with a 2.0-liter engine.
Peugeot might have been absent from the World Rally Championship for nearly 20 years now, but everyone remembers the gorgeous 206 WRC from the early ’00s. A hardcore fan of the title-winning rally car built a convincing replica, which is currently up for grabs in the UK.
The street-legal model is fitted with a WRC-style bodykit including front and rear bumpers matching the width of the swollen fenders, a vented hood, a purely decorative roof-mounted scoop, and a huge rear wing. It rides on a beautiful set of 18-inch Dymag wheels finished in white, shod in Michelin rubber. The motorsport-inspired livery with blue graphics over the white bodywork completes the aggressive look.
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The interior has been stripped to resemble that of the rally car, with the removal of the rear bench. It features a pair of bucket seats, steering wheel, and helmets supplied by OMP, alongside genuine carbon fiber door panels, a fire extinguisher, and a roll cage.
The WRC replica is based on a UK-spec Peugeot 206 GTi 180 hot hatch, known as the 206 RC in other markets. This means that while it won’t match the neck-wrapping performance of the original that came with 300 hp and AWD, it is no slouch.
Photos: steviebxxx / eBay
The stock naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine of the 206 GTi is good for 175 hp (130 kW / 177 PS), exclusively mated to a five-speed manual gearbox sending power to the front wheels. The owner of this example added a custom exhaust and a limited slip differential. The chassis has also been upgraded with a coilover suspension, an H&R anti roll bar, and uprated brakes.
The Peugeot 206 WRC replica is listed on eBay for £24,995 ($31,700), which sounds a lot for a beefed-up French supermini from the ’00s. The seller tries to justify the steep pricing by outlining the cost of its development, claiming they spent £17,683 ($22,500) for the donor car and the parts, and another £24,960 ($31,700) for 624 hours of labor. In any case, the new owner will be able to use it as a show car, track car, and even as a daily.
The Source Of Inspiration
The 206 WRC was introduced in 1999, marking Peugeot Sport’s return to top-level rallying since the days of the 205 T16 Group B monster.
The rally car proved to be quite successful, winning three manufacturer’s titles (2000, 2001, 2022), and two driver’s titles (2020, 2022) with Marcus Gronholm behind the wheel. Other notable drivers included Gilles Panizzi, Harri Rovanpera, Didier Auriol, Richard Burns, and Francois Delecour.
The 206 WRC remained Peugeot Sport’s official rally car until 2004, when it got replaced by the less sexy 307 CC WRC. At the end of the 2005 season, Peugeot announced its departure from the championship, although it remained active in smaller classes.
Rally cars based on the successors of the Peugeot 206 include the 207 S2000, the 208 T16, as well as the Rally 4, Rally Cup and Racing versions of the current 208.
