In 1934 André Citroën launched his revolutionary 7 CV Traction. A year later, Sochaux’s answer comes on the Quai de Javel. And so he unveils the Peugeot 402 at the Paris Motor Show, with its spectacular design
At the beginning of the 1930s, Europe in general and the car industry in particular experienced a deep crisis. A renovation is necessary, a
new spirit of change that serves as motivation for the market.
At the 1935 Paris Salon, Peugeot unveiled the 402, a car that simultaneously replaced the 401 and 601 and which would mark an important stage in the history of the lion marque. It was born to face growing competition. In fact, Citroën has just produced the first Traction Avant models and Renault has a strong position in the market with its Vivaquatre and Primaquatre.
It is a very modern model, one of the
Most impressive Peugeot in history in terms of design. Henri Thomas, head of Peugeot’s “Etudes Carrosseries” department, has supervised the study of the 402. Among a team of engineers, he appears as a unique character. Behind his distant gaze, protected by small round glasses, hides a true artist who is able to draw with incredible precision.
Yes, the 402’s aerodynamic line, known as the “Fuseau Sochaux” (the spindle, for the shape and Sochaux, for the brand’s headquarters), is clearly inspired by the Chrysler and De Soto Airflow (“Airflow”, literally translated). ), in its “Streamline” aesthetic, launched a year earlier with a revolutionary design (according to Paul Jaray’s patents) adopted both for aerodynamic reasons and the need for a new aesthetic that would restore optimism to American society . In addition, the influence of the “Streamline” will extend not only to cars or trains, but also to static objects, from toasters to buildings. It was a reflection of speed, dynamism, modernity.
Returning to Peugeot, it must be recognized that it has clearly improved its source of inspiration. The flowing and balanced shapes will serve as a model for the entire range of the manufacturer until the war. And an important part of this bold design is the bold placement of the headlights in the grille, without forgetting the suppression of the running boards.
Technically true to its brand philosophy, it avoids technically complicated and therefore overly expensive solutions. And unlike Citroën, propulsion has been retained, that is, the transmission of power from the engine to the rear wheels. But not using complicated solutions does not mean giving up progress. The 402 benefits from a modern 1,991 cc four-cylinder overhead valve engine that can reach a speed of 120 km/h thanks to its 55 hp output. It is mated to a three-speed gearbox and a four-speed Cotal electromechanic can be fitted as an option. The chassis is of the Bloctube type, very rigid, already proven in previous models. 4 cable drum brakes are installed. In front it has independent suspension and behind the leaf springs the leaf springs take on a cantilever arrangement, with a self-lubricating system.
The customer can choose from several body types: driving interior, coach, convertible (four seats), roadster (two seats), the advanced Eclipse convertible with retractable roof and finally a commercial body. Added to this was a long-chassis version called the 402 L, with a longer wheelbase of 3.30 meters, with two bodies (family limousine and taxi) measuring no less than five meters long.
Regarding the transmission, Peugeot wanted to go further. At the Paris Salon in 1935, a demo model attracted attention, that of a 402 automatic. The car is equipped with a technique developed by the inventor Gaston Fleischel, whose patents are being compared by the Americans. This transmission works very well, unlike the rival Sensaud de Lavaud. The 402 automatic appears ready for series production, as evidenced by its entry in the Peugeot catalog at the show. Unfortunately, it will not come on the market and the price was very high: no less than 25% of the car.
The 402 will be a huge success due to its seductive aesthetics, good performance and above-average quiet operation for the time.
Manufactured until the beginning of World War II, in 1939, it will benefit from some developments. For example, in 1937 the Eclipse was replaced by a model based on the 3.30 m long chassis, and the following year the top versions of the 402 received an alpax stock, an alloy of silicon and aluminum very resistant. The compression rate goes from 6 to 7 and thus has 3 CV more, which reaches a power of 58 CV.
In 1939 the 402 became the 402 B, which received a wet-sleeved engine (in contact with the coolant) with a displacement increased to 2142 cc by lengthening the stroke. The power goes to 63 CV. At the same time, the grille is modified and the sedan gets a trunk that protrudes from the body. The range would be completed with a 402 B diesel, equipped with the 2.3 engine built under Swiss license Oberhaensli. With 55 CV, this propeller moved the Peugeot van. The 402 B diesel was to be presented at the Paris Salon in 1939, but Hitler had other plans…
Do not confuse the 402 with the 402 Légère or Light. The latter appeared in 1937 and is actually a 302 equipped with the 2-litre engine of the 402. The 402 B Légère that appeared in 1939 was a 202 body on a 302 chassis equipped with the 402 B engine: a powerful compact , ancestor of the sports sedans that would arrive after the war.
After five years of life, production of the 402 ends in 1940 due to World War II. The factory and therefore all machines would be destroyed by the bombing. When Peugeot’s production and sales returned somewhat to normal in 1949, the 402 was already history.
There is no doubt that in 2023 we will be between two eras. As in the early 1930s, the current moment is one of crisis, of tensions between different mentalities and thus of the need for change. The original body lines of the 1935 402 take us through time to the new 2023 408, a born seducer like its ancestor, who also draws attention on its path. Beautiful or original, it’s how you look at it, it’s a real sedan, with a five-door fastback body that has nothing to do with current SUVs or crossovers (the difference between the two, by the way, is not very clear to anyone anticipating a new era.
This 408 is longer than a 5008 and barely higher than a 308 SW (1.45 m), even though the ground clearance is 19 cm. Although the styling of a modern car is more than the work of a lone man, there is always one guiding idea that prevails over the others. So for the 408, it was Kevin Gonçalves’ project that grew out of the seven or eight search models (in ¼ scale) created in 2018. Neither Thomas almost 90 years ago with his 402 “streamline”, nor Gonçalves with this 408 Fastback that reinvents the saloon were they content to follow already established paths.
Source: La Verdad
I am Mary Fitzgerald, a professional journalist and author of the Today Times Live. My specialty is in writing and reporting on technology-related topics. I have spent the last seven years extensively researching and understanding the field of technology so I can properly inform my readers about developments in this ever-evolving world.
