Limited edition cars, whose interiors or low power may not seem very attractive, are often overlooked by automotive enthusiasts. However, some of these vehicles carry a history worth knowing. These cars, with their understated design, can hide surprising features or hold a special meaning. Despite their lack of popularity, these limited editions deserve to be explored and appreciated for what they truly are. Don’t judge a car solely by its appearance or power, as there is much more to discover beneath this seemingly ordinary surface.
Have you ever heard of the Peugeot 205 "Soleil"?
Who has never dreamed of living 365 days a year under the sun? With this limited edition, Peugeot offered this chance to a few lucky ones by providing a well-equipped base model at an unbeatable price!
PEUGEOT 205 NÉERLANDAISE
It's 1987 when the TU engines begin to appear in the Netherlands. More efficient, more reliable, and less fuel-consuming, the new models sell quite well, but this poses a small problem.
The Peugeot 205 "XE" with the "XW7" 1124 cm³ engine producing 50 horsepower from the Peugeot 104 are no longer selling as well.
To attract customers and boost sales, Peugeot Netherlands decided to create what would become the very last limited edition equipped with this engine: the Peugeot 205 Soleil.
To do this, they don't do things by halves. They start by giving it a sporty style by adding the side strips typically offered in the Accessories brochure of the country.
They have the advantage of being similar to those of the Peugeot 205 GTI but at a lower cost. Red trims are also inserted into the bumpers, both front and rear.
They then removed the "XE" badge to replace it with a new one in yellow-orange, specific to the "Soleil" limited edition, and as if that weren't enough, they included a pop-up sunroof as standard.
A passenger-side mirror is added, along with Soleil stickers on the front fenders of the car, completing its aesthetic.
Three colors were available for this model, the same as those of the Dutch flag: red, white, and blue. The Peugeot 205 "Soleil" was sold from January to March 1988, but it would not be the only limited edition designed to clear out old stock.
Today, there are so few left on the Dutch roads that we have never managed to find one in blue. According to our information, there are 155 Peugeot 205 "XE" still in circulation in the country. But only 7 of them would be Peugeot 205 Soleil!
For more photos and information, we invite you to watch the video at the beginning of the article.