Peugeot 305
Encyclopedia
The Peugeot 305 is a small family car produced by the French
automaker Peugeot
from 1977 to 1989.
It was offered as a 4 door saloon, 5 door estate, and 2 door van body derivative.
would soon arrive, in order to update the company's model lineup, in an attempt to make the Peugeot more internationally appealing. Since Peugeot had only recently discontinued their Peugeot 404
model, many people thought that the purpose of the new car was to fill the gap, previously occupied by the 404, between the Peugeot 304
and Peugeot 504
models.
It therefore would have been natural for the new car to be called the 405
. The car was to be developed from and use the running gear from the 304, but in terms of size and price, it was to succeed the 404, especially considering that the top model in the new range would cost more than the entry-level 504, and that the 304 would remain in production some time after the new car was introduced. Instead of being called the 405, the new car was called the 305. When it made its press debut in November 1977, the motoring press were initially confused as to why it was called a 305 rather than a 405, but it sold well anyway.
and was completely new. It was all-steel monocoque which strongly resembled the BMW 3-Series of the time. The design is based on Peugeot's 'VSS' prototype safety vehicle, which Peugeot created to improve car safety. This meant that the car had front and rear crumple zones, side impact protection, a protected fuel tank and bolt-on front wings.
Three bodystyles were available, consisting of a conventional three-box
four door sedan, a five door station wagon
, and a three door panel van
.
in 1977, and was initially available as a four-door saloon with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1290 cc, 65 bhp unit for the GL and GR models or a 1472 cc, 74 bhp for the top-specification SR model after facelift top model was GTX. It was the first of the "05" generation of Peugeots, a generation which survived until the end of 605
production in 1999.
Despite that drawback with the smaller engine, the gearbox in all 305s was excellent, with extremely precise and light gear changes. The 305 combined a front-wheel drive car with an excellent and durable gearbox. On the downside, there was no fifth gear provided but, especially at motorway speeds, the four gears gave the 305 the maximum power it needed in fourth. Peugeot was reported to have said that the car had no difficulty reaching 95 mi/h if pushed to the limit.
Its key competitors were the Ford Escort, Volkswagen Golf
and the Opel Kadett
/Vauxhall Astra
, but it was actually considerably larger than most other cars in its class. In fact, it was almost as large as the Ford Cortina
, Opel Ascona
/Vauxhall Cavalier
and Fiat 132. Power came from 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel engines and later after the facelift, a Peugeot 1.9 petrol and XUD diesel engine as used in the Talbot Horizon, a model acquired in 1979, when Peugeot took over Chrysler's European division and rebranded it as Talbot.
The facelifted 'series 2' models arrived in 1982. They had revised frontal styling, new improved front suspension and steering, a new dashboard and a modified under bonnet and subframe layout to allow the new generation of XU series engines with 5-speed gearbox to be fitted. Thus switching from the Mini type in-sump gearbox arrangement used also in the 204 and 304 to the now-universal end-on gearbox configuration (pioneered by the Autobianchi Primula), of front wheel drive with a transverse engine and a gearbox on the end of the engine and unequal length drive shafts. However, the GL / GR & van models continued to use the earlier XL/XR series engines with four speed gearbox for a few more years.
Sales of the 305 were strong in France and most other countries where the car was sold, though Peugeot found its British
sales volumes disappointing. The problem was eased in January 1986 when Peugeot launched the 309
, a replacement for the Talbot Horizon which took some of the pressure off the larger 305.
The car won 1979 What Car?
car of the year in the UK.
Production of saloons ceased in 1988 following the launch of the slightly larger and more powerful Peugeot 405, which was a much stronger seller in the UK. Production of 305 estates ceased in 1989 and vans a few years later.
The diesel engine fitted to the phase 2 305 was capable of over 50mpg. The engine at the time was regarded as the best diesel around where most other engines notably those from VW and British Leyland sounded agricultural in comparison.
Peugeot
Citroen
rear suspension layout. This is fully independent using horizontal coil springs and trailing arm
s. It is very compact and was designed to minimise suspension
intrusion into the wide flat loadspace, while providing excellent ride and handling. This was later developed (in other Peugeots) to use torsion bars and it was a key ingredient of the success of the Peugeot 205. The compression ratio was 9:2:1.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
automaker Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
from 1977 to 1989.
It was offered as a 4 door saloon, 5 door estate, and 2 door van body derivative.
Origins
During the mid to late 1970s, the motoring press speculated that a new PeugeotPeugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
would soon arrive, in order to update the company's model lineup, in an attempt to make the Peugeot more internationally appealing. Since Peugeot had only recently discontinued their Peugeot 404
Peugeot 404
The Peugeot 404 is a large family car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975, with the exception of the truck which was sold until 1988. It was also made under licence in various African countries until 1991 . It was also built in Argentina by Sevel.Designed by...
model, many people thought that the purpose of the new car was to fill the gap, previously occupied by the 404, between the Peugeot 304
Peugeot 304
The Peugeot 304 is a small family car introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show in September 1969 by the French car manufacturer Peugeot. Peugeot, which had always been a financially prudent company, saw a gap in the midsize car market in France, Italy and the rest of Western Europe...
and Peugeot 504
Peugeot 504
The Peugeot 504 is a large family car manufactured by French automaker Peugeot between 1968 and 1983, with licensed production continuing until 2006.-1968 — introduction:...
models.
It therefore would have been natural for the new car to be called the 405
Peugeot 405
The Peugeot 405 is a large family car released by the French automaker Peugeot in July 1987 and which continues to be manufactured under licence outside France. It used TU/XU petrol and XUD diesel engines....
. The car was to be developed from and use the running gear from the 304, but in terms of size and price, it was to succeed the 404, especially considering that the top model in the new range would cost more than the entry-level 504, and that the 304 would remain in production some time after the new car was introduced. Instead of being called the 405, the new car was called the 305. When it made its press debut in November 1977, the motoring press were initially confused as to why it was called a 305 rather than a 405, but it sold well anyway.
Body design
The body was done by Italian stylist PininfarinaPininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
and was completely new. It was all-steel monocoque which strongly resembled the BMW 3-Series of the time. The design is based on Peugeot's 'VSS' prototype safety vehicle, which Peugeot created to improve car safety. This meant that the car had front and rear crumple zones, side impact protection, a protected fuel tank and bolt-on front wings.
Three bodystyles were available, consisting of a conventional three-box
Three-box styling
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coupé, sedan, notchback or hatchback where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo....
four door sedan, a five door station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, and a three door panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
.
History
The Peugeot 305 went on sale in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1977, and was initially available as a four-door saloon with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1290 cc, 65 bhp unit for the GL and GR models or a 1472 cc, 74 bhp for the top-specification SR model after facelift top model was GTX. It was the first of the "05" generation of Peugeots, a generation which survived until the end of 605
Peugeot 605
The Peugeot 605 is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1989 and 1999, with a facelift in 1995.-History:The 605 was a saloon/sedan built on the same platform as the Citroën XM, and was successor to the unsuccessful Peugeot 604 which went out of production 4 years...
production in 1999.
Despite that drawback with the smaller engine, the gearbox in all 305s was excellent, with extremely precise and light gear changes. The 305 combined a front-wheel drive car with an excellent and durable gearbox. On the downside, there was no fifth gear provided but, especially at motorway speeds, the four gears gave the 305 the maximum power it needed in fourth. Peugeot was reported to have said that the car had no difficulty reaching 95 mi/h if pushed to the limit.
Its key competitors were the Ford Escort, Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
and the Opel Kadett
Opel Kadett
The Opel Kadett is a small family car produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel between 1937 and 1940, and then again from 1962 until 1991 , when it was replaced by the Opel Astra.-Original model :...
/Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Astra
Astra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
, but it was actually considerably larger than most other cars in its class. In fact, it was almost as large as the Ford Cortina
Ford Cortina
As the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...
, Opel Ascona
Opel Ascona
The Opel Ascona was a mid-sized car produced by Opel. It had three generations produced from 1970 to 1988. In motorsport, the Ascona 400 rally car driven by Walter Röhrl won the World Rally Championship drivers' title in the 1982 season....
/Vauxhall Cavalier
Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the British division of General Motors , from 1975 to 1995...
and Fiat 132. Power came from 1.3, 1.5, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel engines and later after the facelift, a Peugeot 1.9 petrol and XUD diesel engine as used in the Talbot Horizon, a model acquired in 1979, when Peugeot took over Chrysler's European division and rebranded it as Talbot.
The facelifted 'series 2' models arrived in 1982. They had revised frontal styling, new improved front suspension and steering, a new dashboard and a modified under bonnet and subframe layout to allow the new generation of XU series engines with 5-speed gearbox to be fitted. Thus switching from the Mini type in-sump gearbox arrangement used also in the 204 and 304 to the now-universal end-on gearbox configuration (pioneered by the Autobianchi Primula), of front wheel drive with a transverse engine and a gearbox on the end of the engine and unequal length drive shafts. However, the GL / GR & van models continued to use the earlier XL/XR series engines with four speed gearbox for a few more years.
Sales of the 305 were strong in France and most other countries where the car was sold, though Peugeot found its British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
sales volumes disappointing. The problem was eased in January 1986 when Peugeot launched the 309
Peugeot 309
The Peugeot 309 was a small family car manufactured between 1985 and 1993 in England and France.The 309 was originally intended to be badged as a Talbot and, as development progressed, to be called the Talbot Arizona...
, a replacement for the Talbot Horizon which took some of the pressure off the larger 305.
The car won 1979 What Car?
What Car?
What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...
car of the year in the UK.
Production of saloons ceased in 1988 following the launch of the slightly larger and more powerful Peugeot 405, which was a much stronger seller in the UK. Production of 305 estates ceased in 1989 and vans a few years later.
The diesel engine fitted to the phase 2 305 was capable of over 50mpg. The engine at the time was regarded as the best diesel around where most other engines notably those from VW and British Leyland sounded agricultural in comparison.
Suspension
The 305 estate marked the debut of the now standard PSAPSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën is a French manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. Headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe and the number eight in the world.-History:In December 1974 Peugeot S.A....
Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
Citroen
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
rear suspension layout. This is fully independent using horizontal coil springs and trailing arm
Trailing arm
thumb|220px|Trailing arm rear suspension of [[Front-engine, front-wheel drive layout|FF]] carsA trailing-arm suspension is an automobile suspension design in which one or more arms are connected between the axle and the chassis. It is usually used on rear axles...
s. It is very compact and was designed to minimise suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
intrusion into the wide flat loadspace, while providing excellent ride and handling. This was later developed (in other Peugeots) to use torsion bars and it was a key ingredient of the success of the Peugeot 205. The compression ratio was 9:2:1.