Peugeot 206 WRC 2000

Peugeot's two white and blue machines stirred up the 6th race of the 1999 World Rally Championships (WRC), the Tour de Corse, recording the top time at SS2 and second best time from SS3 through SS6. Although machine trouble kept them from taking top finishes, they did succeed in demonstrating the nimble speed of Peugeot's long awaited rally competitor, the 206 WRC, when they raced to the championship for two years straight with the 205 T16. In a fresh departure from the "blue lion" motif of the 1999 model, Peugeot's 206 is back for the 2000 season, boasting an intrepid argentine exterior. Its body design stays true to the compact FF two-door hatchback base of previous 206 and features a two level rear wing. Under the hood you will find a 300hp 2.0 liter 16 valve engine and an electronically controlled 4WD system. The gearbox of the 206 was created in partnership with X-Trac and is longitudinally installed to help packaging and weight distribution. After an outstanding 1999, Peugeot came back for the 2000 season entering three machines in the Monte Carlo opener. Unfortunately, after a cold night all three cars refused to restart. However, in the following Swedish Rally, Marcus Gronholm sealed victory for peugeot among a competitive field. Later in the season, he took first prize at the Rally New Zealand, followed by yet another victory at the Rally Finland, positioning him as the points leader in the race for the WRC Drivers Championship.