Peugeot 204

Peugeot 204

Company type	Automobile model
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1965
Defunct	1976
Successor	Peugeot 304, Peugeot 305
Headquarters	France , France
Products	Small family car (sedan, convertible, hatchback/coupe, estate/wagon, van)

The Peugeot 204 is a small family car manufactured by the French automaker Peugeot between 1965 and 1976.

Initially referred to as Project D12 during its development phase, the 204 was available in various configurations including sedan/saloon, convertible, hatchback/coupe, estate/wagon, and van. It debuted in Paris on 23 April 1965 and achieved the status of France's top-selling automobile from 1969 through 1971.

Engine

At launch, the 204 was equipped with a front-engine, front-wheel drive setup powered by a single overhead camshaft 1130 cc petrol engine, placing it in the 6CV 'car tax' class category in France. In September 1975, shortly before production ceased, this engine was updated to a 1127 cc unit, increasing power output from to , although torque experienced a slight decline.

Following the end of the 204’s production, this smaller displacement engine found use in the Peugeot 304 estate model, benefiting from more favorable tax rates compared to the larger engines found in most 304 variants.

For certain export markets, engine compression ratios and power were reduced to accommodate lower octane fuel availability.

In late 1968, a diesel option featuring a 1255 cc engine was introduced for the estate and van models—making it one of the smallest diesel engines used in commercial vehicles worldwide at that time. This diesel engine was enlarged to 1357 cc in April 1973 and became available for the saloon variant in September 1975. The diesel-powered models offered notable fuel efficiency of , though their top speed was modest at . Of approximately 150,000 diesel-powered units produced, fewer than 30,000 were saloon versions. During this era, diesel engines were uncommon in small passenger cars in Europe unless intended for commercial purposes.

Layout and running gear

The 204 utilized an aluminium engine mounted transversely, which maximized cabin space relative to its wheelbase. This represented Peugeot’s inaugural use of such an arrangement—a layout that would later become standard among European small and mid-sized front-wheel-drive vehicles.

The design integrated both gearbox and differential beneath the engine block, enabling Peugeot’s first front-wheel-drive production car. Additionally, the 204 was Peugeot’s initial model to feature front disc brakes.

This combination delivered competent handling characteristics, reliable performance metrics, and strong fuel economy figures.

The body

Thanks to its compact transverse engine and wider-than-average body dimensions, the interior space of the 204 rivaled larger models like the Peugeot 404—both styled by Pininfarina. The design marked a departure from American-inspired aesthetics toward a distinctly European appearance influenced by Pininfarina works such as the 1961 Cadillac Jacqueline.

While options were limited, buyers could select features like a sliding steel panel sunroof. The model launched as a four-door saloon but expanded within six months to include a five-door 'break' station wagon variant. In 1966, two additional body styles were introduced: a two-door cabriolet and a three-door hatchback ('coupé'), both built on shortened chassis and priced roughly 20% above the saloon. The range was completed with a 'fourgonnette' van resembling the estate but featuring single side doors and steel panels in place of rear side windows.

In Autumn 1969, Peugeot unveiled the 304—a derivative of the 204 with a larger engine, redesigned front fascia, and increased luggage capacity on the saloon model. Consequently, the coupé and cabriolet versions of the 204 received updated dashboards from the 304 in 1969 but were discontinued by 1970 and replaced by equivalent models under the 304 nameplate. Production of the estate, fourgonnette, and saloon continued until the entire range was phased out in 1976.

Throughout its decade-long run, changes to the 204 remained minimal: early saloons featured split rear bumpers with centrally mounted number plates and small oval tail lights; by 1975, the original stainless steel front grille was swapped for black plastic with a similar design. UK right-hand-drive variants relocated their gearshift from the steering column to a floor-mounted position.

Significantly, the body design of the 204 was among the first to be developed using spline curves and represented an early full application of Bézier curves through Bézier’s UNISURF software.

Anglophone press reaction

In the United Kingdom, a Peugeot 204 saloon evaluated by Autocar magazine in September 1966 reached a maximum velocity of and accelerated from 0- in 22 seconds, while consuming fuel at . With a price tag of £903 including taxes, it was costlier than the British Triumph 1300, which was priced at £835, reflecting import tariffs. The review highlighted its spirited driving experience, accurate steering, reliable brakes without fade, economical fuel use, and light handling controls, but noted that the interior finish and standard equipment were somewhat sparse given the price.

In October 1968, Britain's MOTOR Magazine tested the less common three-door 204 Coupé, achieving a top speed of on the MIRA test track and up to on level roads. The car accelerated from 0- in 17.3 seconds with fuel consumption measured at . Priced at £1299 including taxes, import duties significantly raised its cost; nonetheless, the testers expressed admiration for the vehicle.

Commercial

Upon its introduction in 1965, the Peugeot 204 entered the French market competing against rear-wheel-drive rivals such as the Renault 10 and Simca 1300, while Citroën did not have a direct contender until the launch of the Citroën GS in 1970. The niche-oriented Panhard 24 was produced in limited numbers and posed little challenge to Peugeot.

The launch of the 204 represented a pivotal move for Peugeot by featuring a transverse engine layout combined with front-wheel drive, following trends established by models like the BMC ADO16 (1963) and Autobianchi Primula (1964). Matching the length of the Renault 10 but shorter than the Simca 1300, its space-efficient design pressured Renault and Simca to adopt front-wheel drive in their subsequent models (Renault 12 in 1970 and Simca 1100 in 1967).

Before its release, strong demand resulted in 5,000 orders without customers having seen the car. The commercial performance of the model boosted Peugeot’s ranking from fourth to second place in France’s sales charts, overtaking Citroën and Simca. Alongside the debut of the Peugeot 304 in 1969, Peugeot reshaped the small to mid-sized saloon segment. Domestic sales accounted for seventy-two percent of total production; West Germany represented the largest export market. Conversely, in Africa, the 204 was less popular compared to larger Peugeot models such as the 404 and 504.

The profitability gains from both the 204 and 304 models enabled Peugeot to acquire Citroën and Simca during their financial difficulties throughout the 1970s. Production of the 204 ceased in 1976 without a direct successor; its market segment was subsequently served by the Peugeot 304 and later by the Peugeot 305, introduced in 1977. Launched in 1982 as a successor in spirit, the Peugeot 205 was smaller and adopted a more hatchback-oriented design compared to the original model.

Competition

Though often overshadowed by Peugeot’s successful 404 and 504, the 204 had a modest competition record with some significant achievements. During the 1966 East African Safari Rally, all six Peugeot 204 entries completed the event and claimed the top six spots within the 1,101–1,300 cc engine class. The model also participated in the 1971 Tour de France, finishing in 49th place within the three GT category.

In June of 1973, a Peugeot 204 Proto Diesel established eight endurance speed records in Category A3, Group 3 at the autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, with drivers including notable figures such as Jean Todt and Hannu Mikkola.

Data

Transmission:||colspan=5 align=center|"Four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on all forward gears; gear lever mounted on the steering column (floor-mounted in right-hand-drive versions from 1969 onward). Front-wheel drive layout." Braking system:||colspan=5 align=center|"Front disc brakes combined with rear drum brakes." Front/rear track:||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm in ab=on}}{{convert}|1260mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm in ab=on}}{{convert}|1260mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm in ab=on}}{{convert}|1260mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm in ab=on}}{{convert}|1260mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm in ab=on}}{{convert}|1260mm in ab=on}} Wheelbase length:||align=center>{{convert}|2595mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|2590mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|2305mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|2305mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|2590mm in ab=on}} Overall length:||align=center>{{convert}|3990mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|3970mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|3735mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|3735mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|3970mm in ab=on}} Width:||align=center>{{convert}|1560mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1560mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1560mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1560mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1560mm in ab=on}} Height empty/loaded:||align=center>{{convert}|1400mm/1340mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1400mm/1340mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1300mm/1280mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1320mm/1300mm in ab=on}}||align=center>{{convert}|1400mm/1340mm in ab=on}}

Technical specifications of the Peugeot 204 (Manufacturer's data unless indicated otherwise)

Peugeot 204	4-door sedan	5-door station wagon	3-door hatchback coupé	2-door convertible	3-door fourgonnette (van)
Production period: (units)	Apr 1965 – Jul 1976 (1,020,029)	Sep 1965 – Jul 1976 (485,336)	Oct 1966 – Mar 1970 (42,756)	Oct 1966 – Mar 1970 (18,181)	Oct 1966 – Jun 1976 (37,994)
Engine type:	Four-stroke SOHC inline four-cylinder, mounted transversely. Aluminium block equipped with replaceable wet liners
Displacement: Petrol variants	1130 cc (1965–1975) 1127 cc (1975–1976)	1130 cc (1965–1975) 1127 cc (1975–1976)	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc (1966–1975) 1127 cc (1975–1976)
Displacement: Diesel variants	1357 cc (1975–1976)	1255 cc (1968–1973) 1357 cc (1973–1976)			1357 cc (1973–1976)
Peak power output hp (kW) DIN: Petrol variants	53 hp (39 kW) (1965–1969) 55 hp (40 kW) (1969–1975) 59 hp (43 kW) (1975–1976)	53 hp (39 kW) (1965–1969) 55 hp (40 kW) (1969–1975) 59 hp (43 kW) (1975–1976)	53 hp (39 kW) (1966–1969) 55 hp (40 kW) (1969–1970)	53 hp (39 kW) (1966–1969) 55 hp (40 kW) (1969–1970)	53 hp (39 kW) (1966–1969) 55 hp (40 kW) < br> (1969–1975)< br/>59 hp (43 kW) < br/> (1975–1976)
max power output hp (kW) DIN:< br> Diesel variants:	align=center	align=center>40< br> (1968–1973)< br> 45< br> (1973-76)	align=center	align=center	align=center|
max torque: Petrol engines	81.8Nm lbft ab=on}} (65.7 lb-ft)	81.8Nm lbft ab=on}} (65.7 lb-ft)	81.8Nm lbft ab=on}} (65.7 lb-ft)	81.8Nm lbft ab=on}} (65.7 lb-ft)	81.8Nm lbft ab=on}} (65.7 lb-ft)
max torque: Diesel engines	align=center	align=center>{{convert}|65.7Nm lbft ab=on}} (48 lb-ft)< br> {{convert}|77Nm lbft ab=on}} (57 lb-ft)	align=center	align=center	align=center>{{convert}|77Nm lbft ab=on}} (57 lb-ft)
colspan=5 align=center|
colspan=5 align=center|
(Body configuration)	(4-door sedan)	(5-door station wagon)	(3-door hatchback coupé)	(2-door convertible)	(3-door fourgonnette)
colspan=5 align=center|