Peugeot 1972 : 104

Peugeot 1972 : 104

At the 1972 Paris Show Sochaux launched an ultra compact model, the 104. This popular car would help Peugeot cope with the two oil crises. Designed with the collaboration of Pininfarina, the 104 was the shortest 4-door saloon in the world (3.58 metres). Nevertheless, thanks in particular to its angular design, it kept its feeling of space, comparable to that of the 204. A front-wheel drive vehicle, it was powered by an engine with an overhead camshaft and which was transverse-mounted and tilted backwards to make room for an emergency spare wheel. This 954 cc engine delivered 46 hp (DIN) and the vehicle could reach a maximum speed of 135 km/h. A 3-door coupé with hatchback was launched at the 1973 Show; its short wheelbase (3.30 m) made it the ideal city car. New coupé presented at the 1975 Show: 104 ZS fitted with a more powerful 1.1 litre (66 hp DIN) engine. One year later, the saloon was fitted with this same engine, in addition to a tailgate. In 1980, the S model was fitted with the same 1.4 litre engine as the Renault R14 TS.