BETTER PARTSPeugeot 604: 40 years of state - lion
Paris, August 13, 2014
40 years ago, Peugeot made the 604 quite a stir. That was not only due to its length of 4.72 meters, but also the first French six-cylinder Otto after the war. The 604 followed in the footsteps of the 601, who was considered a luxury car in the 1930s. The " 6 " in the name he got from his six-cylinder engine also.
Design by Pininfarina
In his day was the 604 by far the largest Peugeot. By today's standards it would place him in the upper middle class, with its appearance 1975, he was considered a luxury-class automobile that was seen in a series with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. It was created based on the 504, for the comparatively factual Design Pininfarina was responsible. Under the hood, put the mentioned six-cylinder, whose appearance was a lot of attention in France: Finally, they wanted to return to the V-type engine, the first in the Peugeot 504 Coupe debuted in 1974, in the upper class. The coined until the Second World War largely of French brands.
Originally planned as a V8
The lightweight aluminum engine developed by Peugeot together with Renault and Volvo, he is therefore also known as " PRV engine " or " Europe - V6 ". Originally, he should go as V8 series, but after the energy crisis of 1973-74, the fuel efficiency was also in this segment at the top in the specifications. Two pots were a red pen ?? victim today we would talk of downsizing. The unit has been realized as a 2.7-liter V6, which carried SL 136 hp in the Peugeot 604. According to Peugeot, the machine average 12.1 liters of super took out of the tank, which was not much 40 years ago.
Finally, 150 hp
1977 got the V6 in the Peugeot 604 TI a K - Jetronic injection system. The power increased to 144 hp, the consumption decreased. The power was transferred from one five-speed circuit that was standard equipment. By the end of the production period, the machine has been developed, the top model in the end was the 604 GTI with enlarged to 2.8 - liter displacement V6 and 150 hp. In the late 1970s was the 604 delivered with a two-liter four-cylinder that was reserved but the French authorities.
First turbo diesel cars in Europe
1979 drove the Peugeot 604 turbo D. With the 80 hp 2.3 - liter four-cylinder Peugeot presented the first turbodiesel passenger car, which was sold in Europe. In the US, Mercedes had the 300 SD with five-cylinder turbo diesel on the market since 1977. With the forced ventilated machine of large lion after all almost 160 km / h was fast.
Up to 62 centimeters longer wheelbase
Admits became the big Peugeot especially as state limousine. Here especially specimens were used, which were rebuilt by French coachbuilders Heuliez and Chapron to long versions and Landaulet. So there was the 604 HLZ with up to 62 centimeters longer wheelbase. This Heuliez version had extra folding rear seats, TV, bar and office communication technology. Especially the former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing welcomed the largest sedan in the lion brand many state guests. The political and social prominence of other nations like the Peugeot 's flagship, had even GDR leader Erich Honecker a 604 in its fleet.
508 as the largest Peugeot car
The role of the largest Peugeot car, the 4.83 meter long 508 adopted today, which is available as a sedan and station wagon. With him, the diesel engines also play an important role: There will be three four-cylinder engines with 120, 150 and 180 hp available. On the petrol side only a 1.6 - liter four-cylinder is to be found with 165 hp . ( hd )