Peugeot S16 Revived As Dodgy 'Special'

207-based rally tribute fails to live up to its name

A tarted-up 207 called the S16 has been released by Peugeot to mark Kris Meeke's 2009 Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC) Championship title.

The last 'proper' S16 seen in the UK was the hottest 306 in the range back in 1993. But whereas the 306 S16 (predecessor to the highly-respected GTI-6) was a proper 2.0-litre 155bhp hot hatch with lowered and stiffened suspension, this tenuous 207 is actually based on the distinctly lukewarm 207 Sport 1.6 VTi. That means just 120bhp and 0-60mph in 10.7 seconds.

Indeed, despite the 'RC Cup' bodykit, mesh grille, 17" rims and no-cost rally-style vinyl graphics option, this is about as close to a homologation special as - well, as the 207 GTi is to a 'proper' GTi. But even that generally-unloved 'hot' hatch is more powerful than this thing to the tune of 55bhp, so we're really not sure what the point is.

Each car gets a special interior badge signed by Kris Meeke and added up, the S16 gets £1,200 worth of options despite costing only £500 more than the Sport VTi that it's based on, so that's something. Just 250 of the limited-edition models will be produced, at a cost of £14,695 each.