Peugeot
Lionhearted Innovation: From Tools to Timeless Design
Introduction
Peugeot’s story is one of the longest and most diverse in industrial history. Beginning in 1810 as a manufacturer of coffee mills, tools, and bicycles, the Peugeot family ventured into automobiles in 1889. The brand has consistently been a pioneer, producing everything from elegant luxury cars and rugged rally winners to practical family vehicles. Known for its distinctive design language and the lion emblem symbolizing strength and flexibility, Peugeot has carved a unique niche as a maker of stylish, innovative, and often driver-focused cars for over a century.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1810 (as Peugeot Frères), 1889 (first car) |
| HeadQuarters | Paris, France (PSA), Rueil-Malmaison (Stellantis) |
| Parent Company | Stellantis |
| First Car | Peugeot Type 1 (Steam, 1889) |
| First Gas Car | Peugeot Type 2 (1890) |
| Icon | The Lion (symbolizing strength and flexibility) |
Iconic Peugeot Engines
- XC/D Series I4 (1960s-1980s): The classic workhorses. Reliable and durable overhead-valve inline-four engines used in millions of 204, 304, and 404 models.
- XU Series I4 (1980s-2000s): The modern performance engines. A range of SOHC and DOHC inline-fours, including the powerful and tunable XU9J4 used in the 205 GTI and 405 Mi16.
- EW/DW Series I4 (1990s-2010s): The small displacement experts. A family of modern 1.4L and 1.6L engines developed with BMW (Prince engine), known for their efficiency and turbocharged performance.
- 2.0L Turbo Diesel I4 (1990s-2000s): The HDi diesel. A highly efficient and powerful turbo diesel that set benchmarks for diesel performance and economy in models like the 406 and 607.
Legendary Peugeot Models
- Peugeot 205 (1983-1998): The savior and icon. The car that saved Peugeot. The standard model was a sales hit, but the 205 GTI became one of the greatest hot hatches of all time.
- Peugeot 504 (1968-1983): The African king. A rugged, reliable, and elegant sedan and coupe that became a legend in Africa and is still seen on roads today due to its durability.
- Peugeot 404 (1960-1975): The indestructible workhorse. A simple, robust sedan that earned a global reputation for reliability in harsh conditions.
- Peugeot 406 Coupé (1997-2004): The Pininfarina masterpiece. A stunningly beautiful coupe designed by Pininfarina, offering exotic looks for a fraction of the price.
- Peugeot 405 (1987-1996): The rally champion. A competent family sedan, with the 405 Mi16 being a performance hero and the 405 T16 dominating the Paris-Dakar rally.
- Peugeot 504 Coupé & Cabriolet (1969-1983): The elegant classic. Considered one of the most beautiful designs by Pininfarina, a true grand tourer.
- Peugeot 206 (1998-2009): The modern best-seller. A hugely successful supermini that was also a dominant force in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The Rallying Lion
Peugeot has a fierce and successful racing pedigree, particularly in rallying. The brand dominated the grueling Paris-Dakar rally in the 1980s with the monstrous 405 T16 and later the 205 T16. In the World Rally Championship (WRC), the 206 WRC became one of the most successful cars of the early 2000s, securing three consecutive manufacturers’ titles. This competition success, especially with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive turbocharged cars, directly enhanced Peugeot’s image as a builder of exciting, driver-focused vehicles and provided invaluable technical development.