With its major inventions and its myriad of successes, PEUGEOT has written some of the finest pages of automotive history as Fifth Gear's Vicki Butler-Henderson discovered when she reviewed 200 years of PEUGEOT history and met a few of our stars from the past.
And with new challenges for the 21st century, the PEUGEOT adventure continues with a commitment to maintain exhilaration and pleasure on every journey you take in a PEUGEOT, alongside continued technological innovation.
1810
Beginning of the PEUGEOT industrial adventure
The family business was founded in 1810 by Jean-Frédéric and Jean-Pierre II PEUGEOT, during the transformation into a steel mill of the family hydraulic mill located at the place called "Sous-Cratet" on the commune of Hérimoncourt (Doubs). Various branches of the family expanded into very diverse productions, but all based on steel (tools, springs, umbrella whales, corset frames, coffee mills, watch pieces, bicycles, etc.).
1889
Steam-driven 3-wheeler revealed
Armand PEUGEOT showcased the first PEUGEOT-branded automotive vehicle at the World Fair in Paris: a steam-driven (non-commercialised) 3-wheeler.
The vehicle was designed hand-in-hand with renowned engineer Léon Serpollet.
1948
Launch of the 203: First unibody car
The PEUGEOT 203 was the first car produced after the Second World War.
It was also the first unibody model with a hemispherical-shaped cylinder head and V-shaped valves.
The 203 was the first PEUGEOT to be manufactured at over half a million units.
1960
The 404 rolled out
Unlike its redecessors, the Pininfarina-designed PEUGEOT 404 embraced angular lines.
The increase in this model's glazed surfaces reflected the modernisation and elegance of the cars that would be produced throughout the 1960's and contrasts greatly with the earlier 1950s models.
In 1961, the 404 was equipped with the first direct-injection engine.
1968
Launch of the 504
Named 'European Car of the Year' in 1969, the PEUGEOT 504 was (and still is) PEUGEOT’s longest-produced commercialised model (3,700,000 examples rolled out until it ceased production in 2006).
Intended for a middle-class clientele, it also ranked No.1 in Africa and South America thanks to its stability and endurance.
1972
The world’s shortest saloon - the 104
Advertised with the slogan ’All of PEUGEOT in 3.58m‘, the PEUGEOT 104 was introduced as the world’s shortest four-door saloon at that time.
1979
Launch of the 604
The 604 was PEUGEOT’s first 6-cylinder saloon since the 601.
As a result of its style and its stature, the PEUGEOT 604 was adopted by the most senior government officials throughout Europe.
The first turbo diesel engine commercialised in Europe was also integrated into the 604.
1983
The 'magic number' 205
The now iconic PEUGEOT 205 became a lifesaving success for PEUGEOT - the 'magic number'.
It also became a double world rally champion and won two Paris-Dakar races.
The 205 went on to become the best-selling car in France of all-time and was also the most-exported French car ever.
1987
Launch of the 405
Following a successful launch in 1987, for the second time in its history, PEUGEOT won the 'European Car of the Year' in 1988 with the 405, its new family car.
1997
Launch of the 406 coupé
Its timeless design by Pininfarina made it a collector's dream.
The PEUGEOT 406 coupé also went on to become the first coupé built with a Diesel engine (2001).
1998
Over 7 million 206's manufactured
The PEUGEOT 206 was another best-seller for the brand and even became a triple world rally champion.
Its CC version (launched in 2000) relaunched the 'transformable coupés', first introduced by PEUGEOT in 1934, with an automatic retractable canvas roof.
2016
Launch of the 3008 SUV
Praised for its style, interior design and features, the new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV was elected Car of the Year 2017 by a jury of 58 European journalists.
It was the first award-winning SUV since the creation of the trophy in 1964 and the fifth PEUGEOT to win Car of the Year after the PEUGEOT 308 in 2014, PEUGEOT 307 in 2002, PEUGEOT 405 in 1988 and the PEUGEOT 504 in 1969.
2019
The PEUGEOT PARTNER was voted International Van Of The Year 2019. The PEUGEOT Partner is the fifth PEUGEOT Van of The Year since the trophy was created in 1992.
Two major innovations attracted attention: the overload indicator for safe charging and the Surround Rear Vision that provides blind-spot camera vision.
The PEUGEOT PARTNER stood out through the exclusive and world-first adoption within the segment of the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, offering a new driving experience for greater productivity.
The International Van of the Year Award was launched in 1992. The jury brings together 25 journalists and publishers from independent magazines specialising in light commercial vehicles.
2020
The all-new PEUGEOT 208 was named the 2020 Car of the Year by panel of judges comprises 60 automotive experts journalists from 23 European countries. The panel acclaimed its engine range: electric, petrol or diesel powertrains providing customers with “the power of choice”. The jury also appreciated the bold design and technology of the all-new PEUGEOT 208. The new PEUGEOT 208 is the sixth PEUGEOT to be named “Car of the Year”.
PEUGEOT enters the “top 3” of brands with the most awards in the Car of the Year history, with six trophies. This prestigious trophy joins the twelve other international awards the all-new PEUGEOT 208 has already won.
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