Project C9 was instigated in 1976, and like the Alpine and Horizon before it, was engineered in France and styled in the UK. The car that emerged was the first car to emerge from the combine, which was not styled under the directorship of Roy Axe…
The upscaled Solara concept was considered a failure by most contemporary commentators.
Initial thoughts
Full-size clay
Styling bucks
Final approved model
Interior
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Ironically, the favourite image for me is the B&W initial thoughts sketch on this page. I never really liked the Tagora during its production life compared to the opposition (Granada’s, Vauxhall Royales etc)
Fwiw the Peugeot-badged facelifted Tagora was apparently done in 1982 by Heuliez, additionally it seems Heuliez also proposed limousine and ambulance estate variants. – http://archive.is/2VwWs (French archived link)
Really interesting, thanks for sharing Nate!
As that site says, it is a bit Audi-like in the front grille.
Though it would’ve been an uneasy fit between the 505 and 604, perhaps Peugeot knew that their big saloon market was saturated. 609 perhaps? 🙂
Modern styling aside would have to agree it is difficult to see where this Peugeotized Tagora would have fit into the range.
That said perhaps Peugeot were contemplating using such a car to replace the Peugeot 604 that preceded the original Tagora by 5 years or in the case of the Heuliez proposal by 7 years, though PSA’s issues as a result of acquiring the Chrysler Europe (after previously having to deal with Citroen’s issues) and other factors properly led them to not bother.
Weird how the Tagora and Renault 9 came out so similar looking. Not a positive comparison for the Talbot either!
What is both funny and sad would be had Chrysler (on both sides of the Atlantic) made better decisions, they could have their own V6 engine whether via the Avenger 4-cylinder or even a much earlier version of the Slant 6-based 3.3/3.8-litre V6 OHV that later evolved into the SOHC V6 and DOHC Chrysler LH V6 engines.
The size of both the domestic US Slant-6 and Aussie Hemi-6 engines did much to hamper Chrysler’s efforts at downsizing and rationalizing their range, whereas the likes of Ford could rely on the Essex V6 and Cologne V6 engines.