Peugeot 106 - Phase I

Phase I

The Peugeot 106 was introduced on 12 September 1991, as the French marque's entry level car slotting in beneath the 205 - although it is now largely considered the 'true' replacement to the 205. It was a substantial development of the Citroën AX platform, intended to make it both heavier and safer. It was aimed directly at the Renault Clio, which had gone into production a year earlier, and as a more modern alternative to the slightly larger 205 which had been a massive success for Peugeot and was still proving popular almost a decade after its launch. Like the AX and the 205, the car had all independent suspension with Macpherson struts at the front, and compact transverse torsion bars at the rear. Winning praise for its attractive modern styling, comfortable ride, excellent handling and cheap running costs, the 106 quickly became popular. Going against the appeal were limited interior space and budget interior plastics.

Trim levels were basic XN, mid-range XR, top-spec XT, and the sporty XSi model mentioned above. In addition, from 1994 onwards there was a "Rallye" model offered. This was different from the XSi model with the TU2 series 1.3 litre petrol injection engine (100 PS (74 kW)). This strippo was designed for the sporting driver, and had little in the way of creature comforts, such as electric windows, power assisted steering etc. On the phase 1 model, a sunroof and anti lock brakes were the only options available from the factory, although many came with foglights or spoilers from the XSi models. In France and Portugal there was a special edition of 50 units of the Rallye, called R2, which feature extensive use of sporting material from the Peugeot-Talbot racing division which went even further with the extreme nature of the Rallye, with changes to the suspension, brakes, new 14 inch speedline rims, racing seatbelts, and engine management and exhaust upgrades, to produce 106 PS (78 kW).