Peugeot Type 2
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1810 |
| Founder | Armand Peugeot |
| Headquarters | Valentigney , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Peugeot Type 2 represents the initial petrol-driven automobile manufactured by the French carmaker Peugeot during the period from 1890 to 1891 at their facility in Valentigney. This model emerged following Armand Peugeot's departure from the family enterprise to dedicate efforts exclusively to automobile production under a distinct Peugeot Automobiles division.
History
In 1889, Armand Peugeot presented four steam-powered Peugeot Type 1 prototypes at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Although these prototypes saw limited success, he was introduced to Gottlieb Daimler's revolutionary petrol combustion engine. After the event, Daimler facilitated assembly of his engine in France through Panhard et Levassor and collaborated with Peugeot to incorporate it into a new quadricycle design. Additionally, Peugeot obtained manufacturing rights for Daimler engines in France via Edouard Sarazin's widow, positioning his company as a pioneer in what would evolve into a major automotive sector.
Approximately one year later, the launch of the Peugeot Type 2 was followed by the Type 3, marking the formal commencement of Peugeot’s automobile manufacturing.
Performance
Powered by a two-cylinder, four-stroke V-type petrol engine licensed from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, the Type 2’s engine was installed beneath the seating area and connected to the rear axle through a chain drive. This power unit produced and enabled a maximum speed of . Engine cooling was achieved using water-filled tubes incorporated into its structure, serving as an early form of radiator technology.
The vehicle measured in wheelbase, with overall dimensions of length , width , and height . It featured basic suspension and lightweight construction techniques influenced by Peugeot’s growing experience in bicycle manufacturing. Production was limited to just four models—three quadricycles and one tricycle—all designed to carry two passengers seated above the engine.
Further reading
- Wolfgang Schmarbeck: Alle Peugeot Automobile 1890–1990. Motorbuch-Verlag. Stuttgart 1990. .
