The Peugeot 204 is a small family car produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1965 and 1976.
The 204, known in development as Project D12, was available in many body styles including a sedan/saloon/berline, convertible/cabriolet, hatchback/coupe, estate/wagon, and a van. It was launched in Paris, France, on 23 April 1965 and became the best-selling car in France from 1969 to 1971.
Engine
The 204 used a front-wheel drive layout and was launched on 20 April 1965 with a single overhead cam 1130 cc petrol engine (the maximum allowed for the 6CV 'car tax' class in France). In September 1975, less than a year before production ceased, it received a more modern petrol engine, now of 1127 cc. Claimed maximum output, which at launch had been , increased to , though there was a marginal reduction in maximum torque.
Following the demise of the 204 the new 1127 cc engine found its way into a version of the Peugeot 304 estate: the smaller engine enjoyed substantial tax benefits in the home market when compared to the 1290 cc engines fitted to most 304s.
For certain export markets engine compression ratios and power on the petrol engines were reduced in order to accommodate lower octane fuels.
Towards the end of 1968 a 1255 cc diesel engine option became available for the 204 estate and fourgonette (van) versions. At the time, this is thought to have been the smallest diesel engine fitted in a commercially available car anywhere in the world. In April 1973 the diesel unit was increased in size to 1357 cc, and in September 1975 this diesel unit finally became an option on the 204 saloon. The gearshift for RHD UK cars was moved from the steering column to the floor.
This car's body was one of the first to be shaped using spline curves, and was the first full application of Bézier curves as implemented by Bézier's UNISURF software.
Anglophone press reaction
In Great Britain, a Peugeot 204 saloon tested by Britain's Autocar magazine in September 1966 had a top speed of and could accelerate from 0- in 22 seconds. An overall fuel consumption of was achieved. The test car was priced by Peugeot in Britain at £903 including taxes: a British competitor, the Triumph 1300 was retailing for £835. The British domestic auto market still enjoyed significant tariff protection at this time. The journal commended the car for lively performance, positive accurate steering, fade free brakes, good fuel economy and light controls. Finish and equipment were described as 'austere and disappointing in relation to price', however.
Britain's MOTOR Magazine tested one of the rare 3-door 204 Coupé models on 12 October 1968. In this case they found that the car would reach on the MIRA banked circuit, with being possible on flatter roads. was run in 17.3 seconds. Overall fuel consumption was . The price including all taxes was £1299. The car impressed the testers, despite its price, swollen by import taxes.
Commercial
When Peugeot 204 was launched in 1965, its competitors in French market were Renault 10 and the Simca 1300. Both were rear-wheel-drive while Renault was rear-engined. Citroën did not have any model in similar size to Peugeot 204, slotting in between its smaller Ami and larger DS until the introduction of GS in 1970. The Panhard 24, from Citroën's niche sub-brand, was built in a very small volume, too small to be a serious competitor for Peugeot 204.
The 204 represented a startling change for Peugeot when it was launched, joining the newly emerging trend of adopting the transverse-mounted engine and front-wheel-drive system for the mid-sized saloons rather than continue with rear-wheel-drive system. The BMC ADO16 The 204 also took part in the 1971 Tour de France, where it finished in 49th place in the 3GT class.
In June 1973, the Peugeot 204 Proto Diesel set eight endurance speed records in Category A3, Group 3. The record beating runs took place at the autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, using drivers including Jean Todt and Hannu Mikkola.
Data
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|+ Technical data Peugeot 204 (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)