Peugeot 201
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1810 |
| Headquarters | Sochaux , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Peugeot 201 was manufactured by Peugeot between 1929 and 1937 at the Sochaux factory, located near the Swiss border. Recognized as Peugeot's initial model produced on a large scale, it solidified the brand's foothold in the competitive automobile sector despite facing economic difficulties.
History
Introduced during the 1929 Paris Motor Show amidst the onset of the Wall Street crash, the Peugeot 201 earned a reputation as an economical car. This perception enabled Peugeot to successfully withstand the effects of the Great Depression, preserving its financial health and strengthening its status as a prominent car manufacturer.
Models
During the 1930s, Peugeot broadened the 201 lineup by adding versions equipped with more powerful engines. The competition-oriented 201 S and CS, launched in March 1932, were fitted with a tuned 1085 cc engine producing . The original base model came with a 1122 cc engine generating , capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h.
In September 1934, Peugeot introduced the 201 D featuring a 1307 cc engine coupled with a fully synchronized gearbox, along with the extended-wheelbase DL light truck variant. The final model, known as the 201 M (released August 1936), was essentially a streamlined adaptation of the discontinued Peugeot 301, powered by a 1465 cc engine delivering and achieving a top speed of .
The 201 C, which debuted in 1931, is distinguished for reportedly being the first mass-produced automobile to incorporate independent front suspension—a technological advancement that improved handling and minimized steering vibrations—while still offering an optional beam front axle.
Naming
In the early decades of automotive manufacturing, vehicle naming conventions were not a primary concern. Peugeot’s predecessor to the 201, the Type 190, was named simply because it was Peugeot’s 190th design; however, this designation was seldom known by customers. Even official company literature referred to it as "La 5CV Peugeot" (The Peugeot 5 hp).
With the launch of the Type 190’s successor, Peugeot adopted a new naming system starting with the Peugeot 201. This model was the first to feature a three-digit name incorporating a central zero—a format that continued with models such as the 301 and 401. Peugeot rigorously defended these numeric designations, notably disputing Porsche’s use of "901" in the 1960s. Interestingly, the Ferrari 308 name did not attract similar challenges.
Light commercials
Between 1931 and 1933, Peugeot produced approximately 1,676 commercial variants of the 201 aimed at small business operators. These included flatbed trucks, "bakers' vans," and light delivery vans available with or without side windows behind the B-pillar, thereby broadening the vehicle’s appeal in commercial applications.
Sources
- Auto passion, nbr 37, juillet 1990
- Rétro hebdo, nbr 28, septembre 1997
- Rétroviseur, nbr 58