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It is debatable whether 2001 version is the first evolution or already second. Peugeot themselves rarely use word 'evolution' about their cars, making matter more difficult. 2000 model, launched in Catalunya 2000, was very mild upgrade and indeed the car had evolved from event to event more than in any particular homologationary steps.
Perhaps the most striking new feature was five-speed gearbox. It had been experimentally used already in Argentina in Rovanpera's car but now new unit was widely adopted. Over the years number of gears in rally cars had steadily increased so Peugeot's reversal was surprising. Theory behind the choice was two-fold, less gears meant they could house bigger and hence stronger gears in same space. The use of less gears was made possible by increased torque and wider usable rev band of the modern WRC engine.
Engine remained much the same but small detail work on new manifolds and changed turbo gave more power at the low end. Other changes concentrated on serviceability and reliability. Under bonnet air circulation was improved in order to help engine and component cooling, resulting in visually different bonnet. Also certain components have been made more accessible to facilitate easy servicing.
Certain critical components like engine-gearbox joint had been strengthened. At the same time some weight had been saved which improved the weight distribution of the car even further.
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| Debut WRC event: | Cyprus 2001 |
| Best WRC result: | 1st by Marcus Gronholm in Finland 2001
1st by Gilles Panizzi in San Remo 2001
1st by Marcus Gronholm in Australia 2001
1st by Marcus Gronholm in Great Britain 2001
1st by Marcus Gronholm in Sweden 2002
1st by Gilles Panizzi in Corsica 2002
1st by Gilles Panizzi in Catalunya 2002
1st by Marcus Gronholm in Cyprus 2002 |
| Rallies contested: | 15 | (works entries) |
| WRC starts: | 48 | (works entries) |
| Outright wins: | 8 | (wins to rallies ratio 53.3%) |
| Podiums: | 21 | (podiums to starts ratio 43.8%) |
| DNF's: | 13 | (DNF's to starts ratio 27.1 %) |
| Points scored: | 154 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 10.3 | |
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| Group and class | World Rally Car |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front transverse |
| Turbo: | Yes |
| Cylinders: | 4 in line |
| Valves: | 16 |
| Bore x stroke: | 85.0 x 88.0 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1997 cc |
| Power: | 300 hp |
| Torque: | 535 Nm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 4005 mm |
| Width: | 1770 mm |
| Height: | 1300 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2468 mm |
| Front track: | 1534 mm |
| Rear track: | 1534 mm |
| Weight: | 1230 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | 4WD |
| Gearbox: | Longitudinal |
| Gears: | 5 |
| Sequential: | Yes |
| Clutch plates: | 3 |
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Improvements on new 2001 version were aimed to combat hot and rough events like Cyprus
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