Description

Chassis No. VF3741R76E5100091

What could the Corvette Indy, GM's 1986 mid-engined, four-wheel steering Corvette-inspired technology test-bed, Lotus, and a Group B Peugeot 205 T16 homologation special possibly have in common? Well, it turns out a lot! Those at General Motors looking to improve their active suspension technology for a variety of GM products knew what they didn't know and looked to those at recently acquired Group Lotus to provide their highly specialized expertise. Along with pioneering “ground effect” technology with the Lotus 78 in Formula One, the British automaker had invested heavily in active suspension technology with none other than Nigel Mansell testing Lotus's take on the concept himself in an Esprit around Brands Hatch in late 1983.

With GM signing off on the active suspension project, Lotus went shopping. Top priorities were for a quick, stoutly-built car with four-wheel-drive that could be outfitted with testing equipment and easily modified. Thoughts quickly turned to the awe-inspiring, low-volume rally cars built to FIA Group B rules. Recognizing that Peugeot was building the Group B cars to beat (they won the World Rally Championship in 1985 and 1986), Lotus purchased the remaining two homologation variants of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 directly from Peugeot Talbot Sport (PTS). Racers that they are, and likely with a large check from GM, Lotus requested the cars be fitted with what is commonly known as the “PTS Clubman Package.” Nearly doubling the price of the “standard” car at approximately 290,000 French Francs, the Clubman Package added all of the performance parts and weight reduction items that Peugeot Talbot Sport could muster. To start with, engine power increased to 300 horsepower with raised boost and all manner of additional engine upgrades to match the power, including additional cooling components. Shorter gear ratios and a central limited-slip differential were added. The chassis was stiffened by seam-welding with the whole package of improvements said to reduce weight by 240 pounds. Of course, Lotus engineers had to break them in…

Like any rigorous scientific test, Lotus engineers kept one 205 Turbo 16 as a control and the other—this very car—as the experimental testbed. With company pride riding high, the team at Lotus threw everything they could at the little Peugeot. Most important was the addition of an active suspension system that brought GM to Lotus in the first place. Designed to keep the car “flat” during high-speed cornering, the Lotus system used a network of electronics with sensors and computers along with mechanical components like hydraulics and modified differentials to modify its tire contact patch on the fly. Not simply satisfied with an active suspension system, Lotus also modified the rear end of the Peugeot with specialized four-wheel steering. Offering greatly increased agility, the system could function in-phase, turning with front wheels or out of phase at lower speeds to decrease the turning radius.

After extensive modifications, the Peugeot was tested across the globe, in varying climatic conditions against its sibling, the control car. It is said to have been a favorite of the Lotus testers of that era and the 15,955 kilometers, or approximately 9,915 miles displayed on the odometer at cataloging, certainly confirm that! After testing by Lotus, both Peugeot 205 Turbo 16s were shipped to GM's Global Technical Center just outside of Detroit, Michigan. Later, chassis number 91 entered GM's Heritage Collection, a world-class showcase of GM's most successful, iconic, and experimental models. It must have caused a few bewildered looks by those walking past it in an attempt to understand why a French Group B rally car sat among mostly GM brand models. Later, in 2018 the car was sold into private hands, still retaining the decals and tags from its time at GM.

Today, this 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 has only accrued an additional 40 kilometers since that time. Most recently, it has received a thorough mechanical recommissioning by Esses Racing of Austin Texas. The work was completed with the assistance of Jay Auger, owner of the Rally Group B Shrine, and Steve Green, formerly of Lotus Engineering and part of the original team that developed the special active systems on this very car. With its life as an engineering test bed finished, this Peugeot, fondly remembered by Lotus engineers—and likely anyone who has sat behind the wheel—can now be appreciated for not only its competition breeding, homologation rarity, and unique history, but for the collaboration and technology transfer on an international scale.

Addendum & Administrative Notes

Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of California or to a licensed automotive dealer.