 Car magazines here used to
call Peugeot 306 GTI-6 "King of the
Twisty". While that title might be a little exaggerated – a fast
Impreza, Evo or Integra Type R certainly ran faster on twisty roads – it did reflect how great the
Peugeot controlled its motion and engaged its driver on challenging
roads. Judging on pure driving fun instead of speed, the 306 GTI-6
deserved the highest regard. It had one of the most feelsome helms in
the industry, which told you the surface textures, how much grip was
left and how hard it was cornering by varying weight and twitching in
your hands. Few cars could match its eagerness to slip into corners.
Its passive rear-wheel steering – enabled by using soft bushings at its
torsion-beam rear axle – resulted in a turn-in sharper than many
rear-drive machines. Its interactive chassis balance encouraged you to
apply lift-off oversteer to aid cornering. Mind you, it was far safer
than the old 205 GTI, because the oversteer was more progressive and it
occurred only when you pushed the car very hard. The 306 GTI-6 also
displayed terrific body control and a surprisingly compliant ride. In
addition to the spacious cabin, supportive bucket seats and
family-hatch usability, it was truly an all-rounder!
 The GTI-6 started life in 1993 as 306 S16. Although that car
shared most of its excellent handling and ride, it lacked a good
powertrain to match. In 1996, Peugeot updated it to GTI-6 (the French
market and most European countries kept the S16 badge) with a refreshed
face, a heavily improved engine and a new 6-speed gearbox (which
explained its new name). The 2-liter 16-valve engine got a new aluminum
resonance intake manifold and tuned exhaust manifold for smoother power
delivery and a better torque curve. Lighter con-rods and valve tappets
raised its maximum rev to 7300 rpm, enabling a free-revving manner not
found on its predecessor, while lifting output from the previous 150 hp
(or 155 hp non-cat) to 167 hp. It was not as powerful as Honda's VTEC
or Mitsubishi's MIVEC at the very top end, but it was easily more
flexible and more usable at lower rev. Meanwhile, the 6-speed gearbox
offered smooth and precise gearchange, and its closely stacked ratios
aid acceleration in the twisty.
  A striped-out version called 306 Rallye was offered as well.
It discarded air-con, power windows and some sound-deadening materials
for reduced weight. Naturally, it got the favour of enthusiast
magazines, if not actual buyers.
Today, the 306 GTI-6 and Rallye might look painfully slow from figures, but their ability to engage and thrill the driver is largely lost in modern hot hatches, including Peugeot's own 206 S16/GTI, 207 RC/GTI and 308 GT. It could be the last great Peugeot hot hatch. |