First Customer Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTI Completed, Spec Your Own From £55,000
The very first of what is hoped to be many customer Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTI restomods has been completed.
The UK based specialist, Tolman Engineering has produced the first of the 205 hot hatches built to a bespoke customer specification. A vast array of options means that the car can be customised from performance modifications to the latest in interior technology, without destroying the car underneath, The aim is enhancement and further refinement of what was one of the 1980s and early 90s favourite hot hatches.
The desire to produce an improved 205 has become quite possibly the definitive version and draws out the best of what the 205 platform can offer.
Tolman has a wealth of experience restoring and improving historic and modern cars with many parts developed and manufactured in house. All those modifications are non-invasive, which means it is all reversible, and that’s a good thing.
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This isn’t the first 205 that Tolman turned his hand to, a pilot study to gauge reaction and potential sales opportunities, Chris built a 1.6 development car last year. Critical acclaim was received for how well the car drove with the authentic feeling of a hot hatch. The specification formed the basis of the Tolman Edition, and they are built in the company’s Warwickshire workshop.
Different performance or convenience features can be added to each build potentially making each one unique.
Each car starts out as a bare shell, which first received an anti-corrosion treatment and the stone chip and ceramic coating over the paint, whichever colour is chosen.
From the bare shell there is over 700 hours work to complete each car, so the price doesn’t seem so high when you consider how much work has gone into building one.
Both 1,600 and 1,900 cc engines are offered, both receiving ported cylinder heads to allow for better breathing.
This first car has a modified powertrain deigned to offer more low down torque for road use. The entire car is built in house by Chris Tolman who assembled British Touring car and World Touring Car Championship engine before setting up Toman Engineering in 2007.
That engine experience has led to the 1,900 having a ported 16v head, bespoke billet cam cover. The engine retains the original XU aluminium block. Many people fit the Mi16 engines, but with retaining the original according to Chris there is more opportunity from improved performance. With a new set of cams, the 1.9 can put out over 200 bhp.
The Tolman Edition uses a Motec ECU with fly-by-wire throttle which improves both hot and cold starting and improves throttle response. Tolman have even produced their own stainless exhaust system with the turned down tailpipe giving that factory look.
Optional equipment includes a Quaife ATB differential to help with putting the power down, which is through the 15″ wheels and Michelin Youngtimer tyres.
One thing that isn’t missed was that original gear shift. Improvements through the use of upgraded shift rods and bushes the rebuilt box is much slicker. The lights were another disappointing aspect of the 205 and modern LKEDs have come to the rescue here, making the car a less scary way of making progress at night. They also last much longer too and a much more reliable.
The 205 chassis provides a great starting point to build upon, with Tolman sharpening up the car without ruining the fine handling balance of the original car. The thing it was most praised for.
Tuned Bilstein dampers mated to bespoke in house adjustable bottom arms and rear anti-roll bar. The car is said to turn in more crisply and the rear is that bit more predictable, being more progressive in its movements and more controllable.
Power steering is standard, and you could specify a big brake kit with calipers from AP Racing, stainless forged brake lines.
Several upgrades are made to the interior that make the car an even easier daily driver proposition. There is an optional anti-reflective LCD dash which really does look good, like the original, but with an even brightness all over. The replication of the old analogue clocks is totally faithful but adds new functionality and the ability to add more information with custom layouts.
The interior is fully retrimmed with new carpets with retrimmed seats and an Alcantara steering wheel. Also included are electric windows and a new Blaupunkt system with a discretely added subwoofer, Bluetooth and DAB 2.0.
Back in the day the 205 was a real theft target as let’s face it they were pretty easy to steal. This one has quite an advanced security system fitted which incorporates remote central locking, alarm, smartphone control and probably the most important part, a tracker.
The exterior can be had with ceramic paint protection, and front film to stop any nasty stone ships from spoiling the fresh paintwork. To protect the car further, a specially tailored car cover with a smart charger comes with the package too.
All customers have the choice of bespoke finishes to the exterior and interior, going as far as a touchscreen entertainment system, though I always thought they were the steering wheel and pedals in a 205. One more thing, that I think is a good investment, air conditioning.
“The overriding impression from those experiencing our development car was the emotions it invoked. Drivers stepped out of the car grinning, having rekindled that feeling that’s so hard to find when driving today’s sports cars on the road,” says Chris Tolman.
“Back in the 80s and 90s, for me and I’m sure many others, 205 GTIs were a first taste in performance cars; something rewarding, responsive and engaging. We wanted to recreate that feeling of being at one with the road, a car you can just jump in and simply enjoy driving hard.”
“Current hot hatches surpass these cars in so many areas but despite having loads of power and incredible dynamics, they fail to rekindle that emotional involvement that made us feel special with the 205.”
If you want your own Tolman Edition 205 they start at £55,000. That includes UK delivery. 12 months parts and labour warranty and a 12 month service and inspection.
With access to several doner 205s in both left and right hand drive, Tolman can produce cars to order, or you can supply your own doner.
There are plans to make even more Tolman Edition cars, based on other 1980s and 90s hot hatches. The aim is to produce modifications that don’t destroy the cars, but to improve the performance and day to day drivability.
The next customer build is already underway and will be completed at the end of 2022.
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