Peugeot produced the 205 T16 that won the 1985 World Rally Championship for manufacturers.
The 205 T16 was Peugeot’s Group B rally car, developed for the demanding international rally regulations of the early 1980s. Unlike the front-engined, front-wheel-drive road-going 205, the competition car used a mid-mounted turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive.
Peugeot entered the World Rally Championship during the 1984 season. The team became a dominant force in 1985, when Timo Salonen won the drivers’ title and Peugeot won the manufacturers’ championship. The car’s success combined strong traction, compact dimensions, and high power on varied rally surfaces.
Group B allowed manufacturers considerable freedom but was criticized for escalating speed and safety risks. The category was discontinued after the 1986 season. Peugeot continued competing with the 205 T16 in other events, including the Paris–Dakar Rally, where modified versions achieved further victories.