Interesting article and conclusion:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/how-fat-is-your-car

very interesting

Didn't they get a similar result with a Renault Avantime?

TG - Ambitious but rubbish.

They got better results with the Avantime as they uprated the brakes and stuff.

With this 207 they just stripped it out.

Made a difference to handling but not to overall quickness, although they did say had it been set up properly then it would have been quicker

They should have used scrubbed in, better tyres on those wheels, end of

Very interesting. Makes you think why bother. Just fit some R888's and be done with it

I good example of weight saving is the Megane R26.R. Reno infact fitted softer springs than the normal R26.

I'm amused that they compare it with the 205. I was following one t'other day and thinking that I really wouldn't want to carry two kids in the back, like the driver was. The car looked so fragile that any impact would flatten it. Probably says more about current car design than about Peugot particularly.

Phil

I'm amused that they compare it with the 205. I was following one t'other day and thinking that I really wouldn't want to carry two kids in the back, like the driver was. The car looked so fragile that any impact would flatten it. Probably says more about current car design than about Peugot particularly.

Phil

I think5th Gear did a comparison between an old car, some big Volvo, and a small current car.

They used the Volvo so they were using a car that was quite good in its day. The small car, and it was tiny like a Toyota IQ, was leaps and bounds ahead of the Volvo for crash protection.

So I guess the 205 would crumple like a coke can if it were hit. But then we all grew up in cars like that and survived. I suppose there were no Q7's to get hit with.

I think5th Gear did a comparison between an old car, some big Volvo, and a small current car.

They used the Volvo so they were using a car that was quite good in its day. The small car, and it was tiny like a Toyota IQ, was leaps and bounds ahead of the Volvo for crash protection.

So I guess the 205 would crumple like a coke can if it were hit. But then we all grew up in cars like that and survived. I suppose there were no Q7's to get hit with.

Q7 vs 205 doesn't bear thinking about. A bit like a matchbox vs a charging rhino.......

Phil

I think5th Gear did a comparison between an old car, some big Volvo, and a small current car.

They used the Volvo so they were using a car that was quite good in its day. The small car, and it was tiny like a Toyota IQ, was leaps and bounds ahead of the Volvo for crash protection.

So I guess the 205 would crumple like a coke can if it were hit. But then we all grew up in cars like that and survived. I suppose there were no Q7's to get hit with.

It was a Renault Modus by memory, not quite IQ small but still a small car and the Volvo was the best for safety in its day - it was an impressive demonstration, as the Volvo didn't dissipate the shock across the entire front of the car the driver's side of the car was rammed back which would have most likely been a fatal injury for the driver. The Renault on the other hand spread the shock across the car leaving the driver able to walk away from the crash. Similarly the also crashed a new Espace head on into an old one with similar results, those in the old Espace would have probably died whereas those in the new one would walk away.

Reading the article above reminded me of the 106/306 Rally I think they were called, basically the GTI version of the car but at a much lower price as they had no alloys, aircon or anything else like that. It seemed a good idea at the time although I don't think anyone really does that now.

John

IMO they messed up by changing the wheels and tyres. After I read that everything else is worthless. Though to comment... The front tyres would scrub in quicker, so maybe that's the source of the leeriness JC experienced...