Talbot Simca 2 Litres
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Fate | Acquired by PSA Peugeot Citroën in 1979; brand renamed Talbot |
| Headquarters | Poissy (initial production), later Villaverde (Spain) , France, Spain |
| Products | Chrysler 160, Chrysler 180, Chrysler 2 litre, Chrysler-Simca 1609/1610/2 litres, Talbot 1610/2 litres |
| Parent | Chrysler Corporation (until 1979), PSA Peugeot Citroën (from 1979) |
The Chrysler 180 comprised a lineup of large saloon automobiles manufactured by Chrysler Europe between 1970 and 1975. Initially produced in France and subsequently at the Barreiros factory in Spain, the model emerged from a joint effort between Rootes Group and Simca. It also served as the foundation for the Australian-produced medium-sized Chrysler Centura.
Depending on the engine displacement, it was marketed under different names such as Chrysler 160/180/2 litre. From 1977 onward in continental Europe, it was rebranded as Chrysler-Simca 1609/1610/2 litres. After PSA Peugeot Citroën acquired Chrysler Europe, the vehicle was renamed Talbot 1610/2 litres for the 1979 and 1980 model years. Production ceased across Europe except in Spain, where a diesel version remained on sale until 1982.
Although its design drew inspiration from American models, the Chrysler experienced limited success in key European markets. Its successor, developed under the codename C9, was introduced by PSA as the commercially unsuccessful Talbot Tagora.
Development
During the 1960s, Chrysler progressively gained financial control over Simca and Rootes Group; however, coordination between the two remained limited. As a result, the first unified European Chrysler vehicle originated from two distinct development initiatives.
Rootes Group C Car
In 1966, Rootes Group, led by Head of Design Roy Axe, created the "C Car" intended to replace both the Humber Hawk and the imported Australian Chrysler Valiant, which had temporarily supplemented the lineup following the Hawk’s discontinuation in 1967. The strategy involved offering three variants: a base Hillman, a 2.0-litre Sunbeam 2000, and a premium Humber Hawk model. Additionally, an extended wheelbase version called the "D Car" was planned to succeed the Humber Super Snipe.
The program also encompassed designing new 2.0 and 2.5-litre 60° V6 engines featuring advanced elements such as possible De Dion tube rear suspension and a five-speed gearbox. Notably, engineer Tony Wheeler, who would later establish Lonely Planet, contributed to this project.
Simca Projet 929
At the same time, Simca was developing Projet 929, marking its first large car effort since discontinuing the Simca Vedette in 1961. This model aimed partly to replace the top-tier Simca 1501. To minimize expenses linked to France’s displacement-based puissance fiscale taxation system, Simca opted for modest four-cylinder engines rather than a V6 configuration. Three design concepts were proposed: Simca’s angular 929 XA, Bertone’s rounded 929 XB reminiscent of contemporary BMW styling, and an American-influenced 929 XC by Chrysler Detroit similar to the Australian VE Series Chrysler Valiant.
The decision
In early 1969, Chrysler recognized two competing projects and chose to advance with Rootes’ British C Car program, developing distinct versions tailored for UK and French markets. Investment was made in a new facility and development centre at the Whitley plant, Coventry, where Roy Axe together with designer Curt Gwinn crafted the C Car as an expanded Hillman Avenger influenced by American Chrysler aesthetics—featuring twin headlamps and a rear light bar.
By 1970, Chrysler consolidated efforts into producing a single variant at Simca's Poissy factory for all markets. Responsibility shifted entirely to Simca, which redesigned the front end incorporating rectangular single headlamps and simplified interior appointments by removing elements such as wood trim, leather upholstery, and air conditioning. Although tooling for a V6 engine had been established at Rootes' Humber Road plant, this engine was ultimately abandoned. Production vehicles utilized conventional coil-sprung rear live axles paired with front MacPherson strut suspension and came standard with a four-speed manual transmission alongside an optional three-speed automatic gearbox.
Launch
Following the rebranding of Simca to "Chrysler France" and Rootes Group to "Chrysler UK," the creation of Chrysler Europe unified both branches under a single marque. The large car was introduced as the Chrysler 160, 160 GT, and 180, with model designations corresponding to engine capacity: 1632 cc powering the 160, 1812 cc for the 180, and the 160 GT utilizing the larger engine. Power figures stood at for the 160, while the 160 GT and 180 shared higher outputs.
Debuting in 1970 with the tagline "An American from Paris," the vehicle reached the British market in 1971, initially available only as the 180 model. At the 1973 Amsterdam Auto Show, a new 2.0 L variant named "Chrysler 2 litre" was unveiled, equipped with a 1981 cc engine and exclusively paired with Chrysler's TorqueFlite automatic gearbox. This edition featured a full-length vinyl roof, auxiliary driving lights mounted on the bumpers, and a "2L" emblem on the C-pillar. In 1972, chrome and metal exterior trim were added to both the 160 and 180 models; following the launch of the 2.0 L, all versions received upgraded 14-inch wheels with updated hubcap designs. The 160 GT was discontinued during this update.
Press reaction
In April 1971, shortly after its introduction in the UK, Motor magazine conducted a test of the Chrysler 180 saloon. The vehicle recorded a top speed of , accelerated from zero to in 12.4 seconds, and achieved an overall fuel economy of . Among five British competitors, it secured third place behind the Ford Cortina Mk III 2000 GXL and Vauxhall VX 4/90. The review praised the Chrysler 180 as a "very pleasing car that only just falls short of being a luxury sporting saloon," indicating generally favorable industry feedback upon release.
Barreiros
Chrysler transferred production from its Poissy facility to Villaverde, operated by its Spanish subsidiary Barreiros, which had previously manufactured Simca and Chrysler models for Spain's protected automotive market. Barreiros became responsible for supplying the full range of models across all markets. The car gained significant popularity in Spain, where local coachbuilders developed estate and extended limousine versions. While most markets saw minimal changes to the lineup, Spain did not offer the 160 model but introduced a distinctive diesel variant powered by Barreiros’ proprietary 2.0 L diesel engine, unavailable elsewhere in Europe.
Chrysler 180 Diesel
This four-cylinder diesel engine utilized indirect injection paired with a four-speed manual transmission, producing 48 kW (65 hp). The vehicle featured the simpler dashboard design from the 160 model. After Spain implemented a November 1978 tax reform establishing a "13 CV" category taxed at 35% for both petrol and diesel engines of two liters, Chrysler revised its offerings: replacing the petrol-powered 2.0 L with an automatic-equipped 180 model and reducing the diesel engine's displacement from 2007 cc to 1917 cc to stay below the tax threshold of 1920 cc without sacrificing performance.
Later models
By 1977, on continental Europe, vehicles were officially branded as Chrysler-Simca, displaying Simca badges on the bootlid and Chrysler emblems on the front grille. Model names were adjusted to correspond with those of the Simca 1307/1308 range, where the first two digits indicated engine size and the last two denoted French fiscal horsepower classification. The 1.6 L variant was renamed Chrysler-Simca 1609 (reflecting a French tax band of nine CV, although this classification had been phased out domestically), while the 1.8 L became Chrysler-Simca 1610, featuring enhancements such as a vinyl roof and additional lamps borrowed from the larger two-liter version. In contrast, only the 180 models were sold in the UK market under their original names; across all markets, the two-liter version retained its existing designation.
PSA acquisition
In 1979, financial difficulties led Chrysler to sell its European division to the French automaker PSA. The 1.8 L engine was phased out; in France, the 1610 model was upgraded to the 2.0 L engine (classified as an "11 CV" vehicle though its name remained unchanged), while in the UK, the 180 variant was discontinued and replaced by the 2.0 L engine available with either manual or automatic transmissions, aligning with continental offerings. Minor changes were made to the exterior badges. Starting August 1979, PSA rebranded all former Chrysler Europe vehicles under the Talbot marque (known as Talbot-Simca in France). Consequently, the Chrysler-Simca 1609 and 1610 models were renamed Talbot Simca 1609 and 1610, whereas in Britain, the model adopted the name Talbot 2 litre. This lineup remained available for only one year before being replaced by the Talbot Tagora in 1981. Initially, PSA had intended to succeed it with the Solara, a saloon variant of the Alpine launched in April 1980.
While petrol-powered Talbot 1610 production ended at Barreiros, diesel variants continued under the Talbot brand in Spain until 1982.
Market performance
Following production relocation to Spain in the late 1970s, the Chrysler 180/2-litre experienced its strongest sales there.
In both France and the United Kingdom, the vehicle’s dual heritage and lack of a strong brand identity limited its attractiveness among buyers and critics with national preferences. By 1976, UK sales stabilized at approximately 2,000 units annually—falling short of company targets but still outperforming French sales figures. In response to poor performance in France, the older Simca 1501 was reintroduced in 1974 to utilize remaining inventory.
Germany’s Auto Katalog remarked on its similarity to the earlier Opel Rekord C regarding design, size, and engine options; however, that Opel model had been succeeded by the Rekord D in 1971. In Britain, stiff competition from rivals such as the Rover SD1 posed challenges due to Chrysler’s absence of engines exceeding 2.0 L displacement; competitors offered six- and eight-cylinder powerplants free from French tax constraints. Limited post-launch support from Chrysler—including minimal marketing efforts and few updates—alongside missing premium features like power windows or central locking (which were available even on smaller Simca models), further impeded its market acceptance.
Chrysler Centura
Manufactured by Chrysler Australia between 1975 and 1978, the Chrysler Centura represented a regional adaptation of the Chrysler 180. It was equipped with both four- and six-cylinder engine options paired with manual or automatic gearboxes. The design incorporated an extended front section and a redesigned radiator grille to accommodate the inline six-cylinder engine and enhance cooling efficiency, complemented by four round headlights.