Believe it or not, Peugeot has six European Car of the Year titles under its belt. The most recent win came in March this year when the new Peugeot 208 was given the accolade at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show.
Now lets roll back the years and see which Peugeot cars had won the most coveted prize before the hatchback.
Peugeot 504, First Title for the Beautiful “Eyes of Sophia Loren”
In 1969, the Peugeot 504 was the first car of the brand to win this award. This large sedan illustrates the rise of the middle-class models. It follows in the technical footsteps of the Peugeot 404, with the exception of its four wheel independent suspension, a Peugeot first on a rear-wheel drive system.
Queen of the track thanks to its legendary sturdiness, the 504 has won the main African rallies on several occasions: the East African Safari, the Morocco Rally or the Bandama Rally. This first “Car Of The Year” for Peugeot was produced from 1968 to 2005, with 3,713,356 units, including 2,644,326 sedans.
Peugeot 405, An Almost Unanimous Vote
Nearly two decades later, another sedan, the Peugeot 405, won ‘Car Of The Year’ decisively in 1988. With the aesthetic features similar to the 205, the 405 enshrines driving pleasure and comfort.
The 405 features a Mi16 version, a real benchmark at the time of its launch. Its 160 bhp uses the most efficient engine technology of the time: the 4-valve-per-cylinder system. It was at the wheel of a rally-raid coupé version, derived from the saloon, that Ari Vatanen won the 1989 and 1990 editions of the Paris-Dakar. The same Ari Vatanen, on a version derived from the 405 T16, won the 1988 and 1989 editions of the American Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Beyond these sporting exploits, the 405 remains a real popular success, with more than 5 million units sold worldwide.
Peugeot 307, The Sedan That Rises To New Heights
In 2002, the Peugeot 307 represents the perfect balance in the new generation of compact, tall and spacious family cars coming onto the market. A feature that earned it, fourteen years after the 405, the title of “Car Of The Year” 2002.
The 307 stands out from its competitors with its superior height, making it easier for its passengers to get on board. Its spacious, functional and versatile interior is inspired by the world of MPVs. The 307 was equipped with the cleanest Diesel engine of its time, the 2.0 HDi 110 hp with particulate filter.
The 307 also launched the “daisy” policy, giving rise to a wide range of silhouettes with very strong personalities: 3, 4, 5-door sedans, Estate, SW (Station-Wagon) or CC (Coupé-Cabriolet), not forgetting the 307 WRC, which succeeded the 206 WRC in the World Rally Championship in 2004 and 2005.
More than 3.7 million 307s – all silhouettes combined – have been sold worldwide.
Peugeot 308, Elegance and Dynamic Qualities Rewarded
In 2014, the lion’s share of the brand and the automotive world is entering a new era. Thanks to the new modular EMP2 platform, the new Peugeot 308 has compact dimensions and a lighter mass (-140 kg compared to its predecessor) which contribute to making its behaviour and handling recognised references in the segment.
The cockpit of the new 308, which incorporates a new technological arsenal, is also designed to provide a new intuitive driving experience: a compact steering wheel, a head-up display, a high centre console and a large 9.7″ touch screen. The Peugeot i-Cockpit, inspired by the SR1 concept car, sets a new standard in the automotive world, and is now a major distinguishing feature of the lion’s share of the brand’s passenger cars.
1.7 million units of the 308, all silhouettes combined, have been sold worldwide since its launch at the end of 2013.
Peugeot 3008, First SUV Elected “Car of the Year”
The first award-winning SUV since the creation of the trophy in 1964, the Peugeot 3008 embodies Peugeot’s upmarket move. The result is an innovative combination of design, comfort and road handling. The 3008 represents Peugeot’s vision of the SUV segment, in markets where demand for this silhouette is insatiable. The vehicle was also the launchpad for a new generation of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, known as the “Amplify”, offering an intuitive and sensational experience of driving pleasure, in addition to being a gateway to advanced driver assistance functions and permanent connectivity.
In 2016, Peugeot Sport presented the 3008 DKR. With a legendary treble in 2017, and the highest step on the podium in 2018, the lioness is putting her name on the Dakar’s prize list.
Nearly 900,000 3008s have been sold worldwide since its launch in October 2016.
New Peugeot 208, The Other “Sacred Number”
The new Peugeot 208 has thus become the sixth model of the brand to win the most coveted prize in Europe. Its design is distinctive, sharp and desirable. It fixes the new 208 at the heart of Peugeot’s upmarket move. Its technology paves the way for semi-autonomous driving, with latest-generation driving aid equipment at the best level in its segment. Its electric or internal combustion engines offer freedom of choice to its future drivers.
The new e-208 represents a new stage in the world of electric mobility. With a range of 340 km (according to the WLTP certification protocol), 100 kW (136 bhp) and 260 Nm of torque (available from 0 km/h) enabling it to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8 seconds, the e-208 offers a lively and stimulating driving experience, complemented by three driving modes: Sport, Normal and Eco.
The new 208 is a best-seller and has already received 130,000 orders in Europe, including 15% for the electric versions since its launch in September 2019.
