This identification guide has been written for those seeking information about the Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l, and specifically, the Phase 2 hatchback car is the subject of this page. For the Phase 1 car (1986 - 87), click here, and for the Phase 1.5 car (1987 - 1990), click here. For the purposes of this guide, the Phase 2 covers all cars made between 1990 and 1994. Some people categorise these cars into multiple phases, however, the differences are only slight, and we have therefore dealt with these cars in a single phase.

Like the VW Golf GTI and Renault 5 GT Turbo, Peugeot was a big name in the early years of hot hatches, and the 205 GTI is becoming increasingly collectible along with the VW and Renault.

The 1.9l GTI was produced between 1986 and 1994, and these hot hatches in their various phases are becoming increasingly collectible as practical classics. The Phase 2 car has particular features, and this guide hopes to provide some clarity in this respect, so people know exactly what they are buying, and how original it is.

This guide includes information on the external features, interior features, paint colours/codes, mechanical features, and the all-important chassis and engine number details required to identify a genuine 205 GTI 1.9l Phase 2.

 

Number of Phase 2 cars produced:
332,942 GTI’s were produced worldwide between 1984 and 1994 (number includes both 1.6l and 1.9l cars). Given that Phase 2, 1.9l production occurred over a 4 year period, Phase 2 GTI’s are expected to account for a reasonable portion of this figure. Please contact us if you have any further information with respect to Phase 2 production numbers.

 

Period of Manufacture:
Phase 2, 205 GTI 1.9l cars were produced between August 1990 and July 1994.

Please note, this guide has been written based on a variety of online sources and enthusiast input. You should not rely on this guide to make any purchasing decision and we make no representation that all information is accurate. You should always seek independent professional advice when looking to purchase a unique car. If you have additional information, photographs or corrections you believe need to be made to this page, please contact us by clicking the button at the top of this page, or comment below.

 


1. Exterior Features - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

The Phase 2 1.9l GTI had the following external features, which make a good starting point for identification of a genuine car:

  • 15 inch (Speedline SL299) alloys.
  • Fog lamps.
  • Fully galvanized steel body.
  • Darker Black plastic arches and side rub strips replaced the earlier grey plastic.
  • Red pin stripe through side black plastic mouldings and bumpers (grey pin stripe on Griffe model).
  • Clear front indicator lenses.
  • Black plastic fluted panel running between rear tail lights. Left hand side of panel has “Peugeot” badge moulding, and right hand side has “205 GTI” badge moulding. Note, an optional red plastic reflective panel with 205 GTI printed on it was also available as an aftermarket dealer option, and the "Classic" edition was available with a non fluted, painted panel.
  • Rear light cluster revised, with clear indicator lenses, and reverse lamps in the bumper. Tail lights had a smoked colour effect.
  • Phase 2 also have different style door hinges. (Bolts for the door pin instead of actual pins which are much better and don’t wear out half as much).
  • Wing mirrors became black plastic to match the side body moulding trim. Wing mirrors also had square base connection (as opposed to the Phase 1 round connection).
  • Optional 205 GTI mudflaps.
  • Rear C pillar panel badges state “1.9” above “GTI”.
2. Interior Features - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

The following interior features should be present on a Phase 2 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l:

  • Half leather seats used black leather rather than grey leather. The Phase 2 used "Monaco Tweed” seat cloth as was used on the Phase 1.5. The light grey / dark grey trim was no longer offered.
  • Some Phase 2 cars retained the red carpet, however, most post 1992 cars were fittted with grey carpet as standard.
  • Cars painted Sorrento Green were available with green carpet or grey carpet, with green quartet velour cloth half leather seats, and door card panels. 
  • Special edition cars had unique interior combinations (see section on "Special Editions" for further information.
  • Three spoke leather steering wheel.
  • Power windows standard.
  • Radio-cassette with four-speaker sound system.
  • Black plastic interior finishes replaced the earlier grey materials.
  • Automatic retractable belts introduced as standard for the back seats.
  • In October 1991, air conditioning and central locking became an option.
  • A keypad immobiliser was available as an option.
  • Carpeted cargo cover attached to rear hatch.
  • Majority of cars had the five-speed manual transmission as standard. Phase 2 cars had the BE 3/5 gearbox (introduced in 1989), with reverse gear located bottom right.
  • A small number (several hundred) automatic cars were sold in Britain during 1992. These cars were fitted with 1.6 trim (both internally and externally, including smaller wheels and full cloth interior, but were fitted with air conditioning standard).
  • Instrument cluster: Speedometer to 230kph, rev timer redlines at 6,000rpm.
  • Optional Peugeot GTI floor mats and trunk mat.
3. Paint Colours - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

The Phase 2 Peugeot 205 GTI was available in 12 colours. These colours, along with their code and interior to match, are outlined in the chart attached in the images.

Colours on the Phase 2 205 GTI included Cherry Red, Alpine White, Magnum Grey, Futura Grey, Anthracite Grey, Graphite Grey, Black, Topaz Blue, Miami Blue, Lazer Green, Sorrento Green and Mayerling Green.

 

Location of paint code:

The colour code for a Peugeot 205 GTI is located on top of the front bonnet slam panel / cross-member above the left side headlight. This may have been covered, painted or the number missing if the car has been restored.

The code was painted on cars in the factory using a stencil, and it is believed that these stencils can still be obtained today if you need to touch up the code. See images for a better description of the location and typeface.

An example of each of the paint colours has been given in the images, as well as the location and typeface of the code. If you are aware of any additional paint colours available on the 205 GTU Phase 2, please let us know so we can update this section.

4. Chassis Number - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

The Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2) had a chassis number format of: VF3XXXXXX########

XXXXXX = the manufacturers code.

######## = the vehicles unique 8 digit chassis number.

Phase 2 cars had several potential manufacturer codes (depending on year):

  • July 1987 – July 1992: 20CD62 (or 20CDF2 / 20CDF4 used for some GTI export models).
  • Post July 1992 cars: 20CDK2.

 

Chassis Number Location:

The chassis number should be present in two locations on a Peugeot 205 GTI:

1. Embossed on the VIN plate (Riveted to the body, under the hood, you will see the plate on the flat area just behind the right hand side suspension strut).

2. Stamped into the body of the car (On the flat edge of the firewall / bulkhead, directly above the chassis plate, you will find the same number stamped into the body).

Examples of the chassis plate and body stamping are given in the images, including a close up example of the typeface used for the VIN stamping on the body. On the special edition 1FM model, the chassis number was also stamped on the brass plaque, under the door lock mechanism (on the door itself).

5. Engine/Gearbox number - 205 GTI 1.9l (Ph 2)

The Phase 2 GTI 1.9l cars came with the XU9JA engine.

These engines had theur engine number beginning XU9 on the drivers side of the cylinder head, and either the D6B or DKZ code printed on a small tag riveted to the block, and a code beginning 1CW riveted to the block, with the unique engine number for that block engraved underneath that.

  • Pre 1992 Phase 2 cars: Chassis #: 20CD62 = Engine #: XU9JA / D6B / and a number beginning 1CW, with the unique engine number itself stamped under that.
  • July 1992 onward cars: Chassis #: 20CDK2 = Engine #: XU9JAZ / DKZ / and a number beginning 1CW, with the unique engine number itself stamped under that.

 

Engine number location:

The engine tag and number is stamped on a plate on the front right hand side of the engine (flywheel end), just behind where the alternator sits. See the attached images showing the location, and typeface of the various codes.

Another way of confirming you have the correct engine in the car is to check whether there is a spacer between the sump and block to allow for the longer stroke from the 1.6. This can easily be inspected from underneath the car, as shown in the attached images. Also, fuel injectors are yellow on a 1.9, as opposed to black on the 1.6.

 

Gearbox Number:

On the Phase 2 GTi, the BE3 transmission was used, which was introduced in 1989. The casting marks, as well as the location of reverse gear will confirm the type of gearbox installed. See images for a better description.

The BE3 transmission should have a casting on it where shown in the images, beginning with “2C”. This gearbox has reverse at the bottom right position.

6. Mechanical Features - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

The Phase 2 Peugeot 205 GTI had the following mechanical features:

  • Front suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower wishbones and anti-roll bar.
  • Rear suspension: Independent trailing arms fixed to single beam axle, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.
  • The 1.9 GTI came with the 4 cylinder XU9JA engine producing 130hp / 128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp).
  • A catalytic converter was installed on most Phase 2 models, with the engine producing, produced 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) .
  • Oil cooler
  • Bosch fuel injection system. 
  • 6.5J-15in cast-alloy wheels, with 185/55HR-15 radial-ply tyres.
  • Bendix ABS brakes available on some later models.
  • Front brakes: 247mm (9.7in) ventilated discs with Bendix or Girling single piston calipers.
  • Rear Brakes: 247mm (9.7in) solid discs on with Bendix single piston calipers.
  • Electric windows
  • The catalysed 100hp 1.9 GTi came to Australia in 1987 with drum rear brakes and 14" wheels. Later Australian models were standard Euro spec.
  • On the 1.9 there is a spacer between the sump and block to allow for the longer stroke - that should be obvious from below the car.
  • BE3 transmission.
  • 15 inch (Speedline SL299) alloys were applied to most 1.9 GTI’s. However, it is worth noting that in some markets such as Australia, early 1.9 GTI’s came with 14” SL201 Speedline wheels, with later models having the 15’s.
  • Option of Bendix ABS brakes in September 1990.
  • A small number (several hundred) automatic cars were sold in Britain during 1992. These cars were fitted with 1.6 trim (both internally and externally, including smalller wheels and full cloth interior).
7. Special Editions - 205 GTI 1.9l (Phase 2)

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l Griffe special edition:

The Peugeot 205 GTI "Griffe" special edition, produced for mainland Europe, and was sold in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Approximately 3000 units were produced. It was Laser Green in colour, and highly specified in terms of equipment, which included:

  • Unique Laser Green paint.
  • Side mouldings and bumpers had grey pinstripes in place of red.
  • Full black leather interior (with green stitching).
  • ABS brakes, power steering and sunroof.
  • Dark grey anodised alloy wheels with a silver rim.

 

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l 1FM special edition:

The 1FM was produced for the UK market in 1992, to coincide with the 25th birthday of BBC Radio 1. Only 25 units were made, with each car individually numbered with a small brass plate on the doors.

  • Black and had dark grey anodised alloy wheels with a silver rim.
  • ABS brakes, power steering, remote central locking  and air conditioning as standard,
  • Full black leather interior
  • A unique stereo system, including a CD changer/stacker and acoustic rear parcel shelf was designed by Clarion.
  • Unique 'Radio 1' badging.

 

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9l “Classic” special edition:

This was a special edition version of the 205 GTI made for the Australian market. 30 examples were produced, as a symbol of celebration for the end of 205 GTI production. 

  • Unique Mayerling Green paint (Very similar to Sorrento Green),
  • Full black leather interior, grey carpets.
  • “Classic “ decals on the rear quarter panels and under the GTI badge on the rear panel (non fluted on the Classic). Rear panel badge is  a 'dome' or 3D sticker.
  • Glass sliding sunroof with a sunshield and vacumn sealing
  • Digital stereo radio cassette unit and optional ten stack CD multiplayer with upgraded speakers.
  • Power steering, central locking, air conditioning as standard.