The car was manufactured at the company's Sochaux plant near the Swiss frontier, and is today celebrated in the adjacent Peugeot museum. Although Peugeot had produced a petrol/gasoline-powered motor vehicle as early as 1886, the Peugeot 201 may reasonably be seen as the company's first mass-produced model.[1]
History
The Peugeot 201 was presented at the 1929 Paris Motor Show with the backdrop of the Wall Street Crash. While many European manufacturers did not survive the ensuing depression, the 201's image as an inexpensive car helped Peugeot to survive the economic crisis with its finances intact and its status as a major auto producer confirmed.[2]
Models
During the 1930s Peugeot offered several variants of the 201, mostly with increasing engine capacity. The exception is the 1085cc engine in the competition-oriented 201S and CS. Presented in March 1932, 403 examples were built until July of the same year. The engine's stroke was shortened from 90 to 87mm (3.54 to 3.43in), with the 63mm (2.48in) bore remaining unchanged; power increased to 30hp (22kW).
Initially, the 201 range was powered by a 1122 cc engine developing 23hp (17kW) at 3500 rpm (top speed: 80km/h / 50mph). This was followed by a 28hp (21kW) engine of 1307 cc in September 1934, when the revised 201D (and the longe wheelbase DL light truck derivative) were introduced. The D models also benefitted from a fully synchronized transmission. The final development was when the 201M was presented in August 1936. This model was not a 201 per se, it was a decontented version of the recently discontinued 301.[3] At the same time, that model was replaced by the new 302. The 201M kept the 301's 1465 cc unit of 35hp (26kW) and could reach a claimed top speed of 100km/h (62mph).
The Peugeot 201C, launched in 1931, is claimed[by whom?] to be the first mass-produced car equipped with independent front suspension, a concept rapidly adopted by the competition. The simpler beam front axle version remained available, but the optional independent suspension system reportedly improved road holding and reduced steering column vibration.[citation needed]
The 201 was typical of many western European family saloons in that during the 1930s the standard body was redesigned to incorporate new ideas about streamlining.
Interior
Naming
In the early twentieth century, car manufacturers paid little attention to the naming of their vehicles. The 201's predecessor, the Type 190, is so named because it was the 190th distinct design developed by Peugeot. However, at the time few customers would have been aware of the name "Type 190". Even in the company's own brochures, the car now known as the Type 190 was simply called "La 5CV Peugeot" (The Peugeot 5hp).
For Peugeot, a new naming scheme was introduced when the Type 190 was replaced by Peugeot 201.[4] The 201 was the first Peugeot to carry a name comprising three numerals with a central zero, a naming scheme continued with the 301 and 401. Peugeot took effective steps to protect all such automobile names, to the discomfiture of Porsche in the 1960s as they prepared to launch their new 901 model. Curiously, the name of the Ferrari 308 was not a problem.[citation needed]
Light commercials
Between 1931 and 1933 the company produced 1,676 commercial versions of the 201, aimed at small shopkeepers and other businessmen. A wide range of body types was produced including a flatbed truck, a "bakers' van" and light vans with and without side windows behind the B-pillar.
During the early 1930s, panel van and light truck versions were also produced.
↑ "Automobilia". Toutes les Voitures Françaises 1932 (salon [Paris, Oct] 1931): Comme tous constructeurs français, Peugeot souffre de la dépression économique mondiale et ses cadences de production s'effondrent. [...] Malgré ce ralentissement sensible de son activité en 1932, Peugeot traverse la crise sans trop de dommages grâce à la 201 dont le caractère économique devient un argument déterminant dans cette période difficile. Vol.80s. Paris: Histoire & collections. 2006. p.74.
↑ Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot. The exhibit label (2012) states: «Jusqu'à présente le modèles Peugeot se suivaient dans une numérotation plus ou moins logique qui d'ailleurs n'était que peu utilise par la publicité. Par exemple le 190 S était présenté dans les brochures sous le nom «Le 5 CV Peugeot». Avec la 201 une ère novelle commence.»
1 These cars were marketed as "Lion-Peugeots", produced by what was till 1910 a separate Peugeot company, run by cousins of Armand Peugeot, then in charge of the principal automobile business.
In 1910, Armand having no sons of his own, it was agreed that the two branches of the Peugeot business be reunited.
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