The history of this French carmaker is a history of pioneering designs, engineering breakthroughs, and technological firsts. It's a story of remarkable motorsport success and race-bred road cars.

The story all began over 200 years ago when Pierre's family converted a flour mill into a steel mill. Jean-Pierre’s two sons, Jean-Pierre II and Jean-Frederic founded PEUGEOT Freres which was a steel foundry.

The steel produced was used in making saw blades, watch spring, and lightweight crinoline skirts which revolutionized 19th-century fashion.

Peugeot was also known for making sewing machines, coffee and pepper grinders and they still make some of the best pepper grinders today.

Peugeot's First Car

First Peugeot Car
Via: Pinterest

Peugeot's first car clearly showed its origin in the cycle and coachwork business. In 1890, Armand Peugeot, Jean-Pierre's grandson, using bike expertise built a lightweight tubular chassis and combined it with a Daimler two-cylinder engine to create the first Peugeot car with a petrol engine.

In 1894, Peugeot won the Puffy Huan horseless carriage competition. It was the world's first motor race. With this, Armand was convinced that the future lay in automobiles and set out to build cars and Peugeot had been building cars ever since.

By 1912, Peugeot opened a purpose-built factory in Sochaux, France; it was the world's oldest car factory, the Stellantis Sochaux plant. It's one of the most prominent car plants in France.

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Old And New Peugeot Logos
Via: Wikimedia Commons

The lion image originally showed up in 1847 when the PEUGEOT family were manufacturing steel items. The lion badge was used to signify the vigour and keenness of the items – symbolized through the lion's shaggy and sharp teeth. In 1858, the badge was enlisted as the PEUGEOT brand name. From 1948 ,the classic logo started showing up on the hat of PEUGEOT automobiles; that very year the Peugeot 203 models were presented to the public.

Over time the lion logo has evolved. In 1998, the lion logo had the inclusion of paws to indicate the force and corporate balance of the firm. Formerly, the logo was just a lion's head. Likewise, the blue background colour was added to the firm's branding to portray the cutting-edge nature of the firm.

The 3-digit Numbering System

Peugeot 203
Via: YouTube

In 1929, Peugeot introduced the principle of naming their models after a 3-digit number with a zero in the middle. The first Peugeot to feature the now-famous 3-digits was the 201, which was launched in 1929. The 201 was the first mass-produced Peugeot and although it was the least expensive car in France, it was made in such an efficient way that the Sochaux factory became the most profitable in the world.

The innovations continued at Peugeot and cars started to be stylized for the first time with elegant bodies, softer lines and sloping grilles. Over the decades, there have been rafts of interesting Peugeots, such as the 301 in 1932, the 401 and 601 in 1934, and the 204, 304 and the 504.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Peugeot had a string of great drivers cars, including the 309 GTI, 106 rally, 306 rally, and the 306 GTI 6, and of course, the best of all, the 205 GTI.

The Iconic 205 Model

Peugeot 205
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The 205 was launched in 1984. It was an instant classic design with fuel injection. It was one of the best handling cars ever made and it's still very much loved today. Peugeot sold over five million 205s which was a record at the time.

The 205 proved that Peugeot could be a real driver's car. It also led to the Peugeot 205 T16 Group B rally car, that kicked off a great run in motorsport for the company.

Peugeot secured plenty of record with their many Rally victories. Rallying has been Peugeot's touchstone in their quest for a recognizable image and how they've succeeded in various rallying events.

Overall, Peugeot has won the world rally championship five times, the Dakar rally seven times, and Lamont three times. It has also held the record for the fastest pikes peak ascent which is an impressive record.

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Not Just About Sound And Fury

Peugeot 406
Via: Pinterest

Peugeot's vehicles were known for sound and fury but it isn't all about that. It has always been about beauty too. Some of the most stylish Peugeot cars have been produced by the long-running partnership between Peugeot and the Italian design house, Pininfarina. The partnership started in 1960 with the Peugeot 404 and the stylish 404 Coupe and Cabrio.

More recently, Pininfarina was responsible for the 406 coupes, an effortlessly elegant design. Its coupling to the silky-smooth engine was a perfect combination for the model. Peugeot cars are known for their sophisticated and classic look. not only in the chassis but also in the interior.

So Where Is Peugeot Today?

Peugeot 3008 SUV
Via: Pinterest

The Peugeot 3008 SUV is a Multi-award winner having won over 65 international awards. The 508 fastbacks have also been wowing fans with its sleek styling and interior featuring Peugeot innovative cockpit which gives drivers a whole new driving experience.

There is the new 208, the all-new 2008 SUV, the 508 PSE concept car which is a 400 brake horsepower power hybrid engineered by Peugeot sports and there is also the e-legend. It's also an electric self-driving car.

The motor industry is changing and Peugeot is at the forefront of that change, right from a historic past into a glowing future.