Peugeot 604 car history

Technical details
Manufacturer	Peugeot
Production	1975 to 1985
Class	Motor car
Designer	Pininfarina
Total production	153,252
Body and chassis
Body styles	4 door sedan
Engine and Powertrain
Drive	Rear wheel drive
Engine Petrol	V6 PRV :2,664 -2 849  cc
Engine Diesel	XD 2 304 -2 498  cc
Engine location	Front-engine
Transmission	4-5 speed manual, automatic
Cooling	Water cooled
Brakes	Four disc brakes
Weights and Dimensions
Length	4,720 mm
Width	1,770 mm
Height	1,430 mm
weight	1,390 to 1,460 kg

The Peugeot 604 is a car model of the Peugeot manufacturer . Produced between 1975 and 1985 .The design of the body is from Pininfarina , in collaboration with Paul Bracq.

Peugeot 604 History

The car was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1975. Spacious and luxurious sedan, the 604 is very noticed and immediately arouses flattering comments.For its first line, which, without being innovative or extravagant, seduced the public by its simplicity and style with taut lines, meeting the criteria of the time.

The 604 was not a commercial success. We can even speak of failure. Contemporary journalists have attributed this to various reasons, including a lack of ambition (the doors and the center section were taken from the 504 to reduce costs), a lack of technical innovation, modest execution, and poor reputation because of rust problems.

The extended version proposed by Heuliez contributed to this success of esteem with the elites. The 604 limousine of Heuliez is presented in 1978 . It had been studied with an extended wheelbase of 17 cm (the VIP version), or an extended wheelbase of 25 cm (version 2 VIP). Finally she had an extended wheelbase of 62 cm (Limousine). Production of the Heuliez limousine continued until 1984 , between 140 and 160 vehicles were produced including 124 Limousine.

Above all, it is the dimensions that speak: a width of 1.77  m , a length of 4.72  m and a height of 1.43  m . A sober and classic style. An imposing front, with its separate projectors, chrome and a general silhouette reminiscent of the Mercedes. The equipment is standard, but with a perfectible finish. It has four power windows with dashboard locking and power steering . The dashboard has 3 large dials and its nice design is in good taste. In terms of options, the 604 had a leather upholstery, an automatic transmission, an electric sunroof and air conditioning.

On the engine side, the 604 uses the V6 PRV engine , designed by the Franco-Swedish company (Peugeot Renault Volvo).Initially, PRV had to release 2 engine versions a V8 and the V6 that we know. The economic climate (the end of the Glorious Thirties and the oil crisis ) led to the abolition of the V8.This gave birth to a V6 all-alloy 90 ° with a displacement of 2644  cm ³ , developing 136 horses.

This was equipped in the Volvo 264 , the Renault 30 TS and also the Peugeot 504 Coupé and V6 Convertible. Peugeot (and Renault ) chose to use carburetors, unlike Volvo, which opted for injection. This engine lacked flexibility at low revs, clumsy for a V6 engine and fuel-hungry, enormously in version with two carburetors. Later, Peugeot will opt for Bosch injection versions , more efficient and a little more economical than carburetors.

The 604 was in the traditional format of the time: front engine, rear-wheel drive and single-disc clutch. An automatic gearbox (manufactured by GM) was offered as an option, erasing the lack of flexibility of the V6 PRV, which was described as rough due to its lack of flexibility at low revs. Reliability problems led Peugeot to replace it with a ZF model.

The ground link is of good quality: four independent wheels, a MacPherson front suspension and rear arm trailed. Coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. For the time, she is described as excellent.

The hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering is smooth and precise, offering good maneuverability.Braking is efficient and provided by four disc brakes, two of which are ventilated at the front.

The dimensions of the 604 offer a pleasant onboard life. The driving position is pleasant and the habitability is good. The rear seats are very accessible and the place reserved for the legs is important.The comfort is at the rendezvous, firstly thanks to the suspensions and their capacity of absorption of the irregularities of the road. Then, by the softness of the upholstery. The trunk offers a generous capacity.

The Peugeot 604 marks the return of the French manufacturer on the market of road sedans. The car was manufactured in Sochaux , France. But in 1979 and 1981, Kia took over by assembling 381 cars from collections of CKD spare parts produced in France.Sold from 1979 to 1984 in the USA (only Diesel Turbo from 1980) but only 306 in total sold.The Peugeot 604 was produced under license in South Korea by Kia between 1979 and 1981 to 381 copies 

Peugeot 604 models 

• 1976 models: The 604 SL V6 ( 182  km / h ) and 604 SL V6 Automatic ( 178  km / h ) are available in the dealerships in September 1975.
• 1978 models: The new 604 TI V6 ( 185  km / h ) 5 speed gearbox (BV5) is equipped with an injection circuit and a Bosh K-Jetronic ignition . The engine power is increased to 144 horses. Option automatic gearbox (BVA), then 181 km / h in top speed. New interior, central locking (TI), tinted glass (TI) and new large hubcaps. 
• 1979 models: Seat belt assembly at the rear and rectangular fuel hatch . New option: triplex glass windshield with tinted glass. In February 1979, launch of the 604 D Turbo ( 150  km / h , 157  km / h if BV5, 144  km / h if BVA), first car sold in Europe with diesel engine equipped with a turbo . With a capacity of 2 304  cm ³ , it develops 80 horses.
• 1980 models: The 604 TI "Grand Confort" is equipped with central locking, sunroof and 4 electric windows, triplex glass windshield, tinted glass and millimeter wheels for tires Michelin TRX. New integrated exterior mirror (matte black) and new acronyms.
• 1981 models: the "Grand Confort" and "Grand Confort" versions (BV5) are called STI and SRD Turbo respectively. Millimetric wheels on SRD Turbo, light alloy on STI. The D Turbo becomes GRD Turbo (BV5). Padding velvet seats and indicators before orange.
• 1982 models: Stopping the 604 SL, cruise control on STI / SRD Turbo and alloy wheels on SRD Turbo.
• 1983 models: TI and GRD Turbo versions are removed.

• 1984 models: to revive the car, the 2.8  liter V6 PRV developed for the North American market and used at Volvo, is mounted on the V6 version, which becomes the 604 GTI ( 190  km / h ). Its engine, which goes from 2664  cm ³ to 2849  cm ³ , develops 155 hp. The equipment is identical to the 604 TSI with the exception of the 205/60 R15 tires. At the same time, the 604 SRD Turbo is replaced by the 604 GTD Turbo ( 165  km / h ) with a 2.5-  liter 95 horsepower engine.

The 604 is manufactured until 1985. The considerable stock will allow Peugeot to leave it to the 1986 catalog then it is replaced in 1989 by the arrival of the 605 .

This three-year wait is partly filled by the launch of the 505 V6, also equipped with the V8 of 2 849  cm ³ , but with a crankshaft with staggered crank pins and an electronic injection system, this model develops 170 horses.