Introduced in 1979, this large Peugeot was conceived as the successor to the 504 and became the brand’s last major rear-wheel-drive passenger car. Styled by Pininfarina with an interior by Paul Bracq, it carried Peugeot’s traditional front-engine, rear-drive layout into a new era while aiming for broader international appeal. The line-up began with a four-door saloon and a family estate, and over time the model was offered in a wide variety of market-specific versions that helped make it a true global Peugeot.
A major restyle arrived in 1986, updating the car’s appearance and keeping it competitive through the late 1980s. The model was built not only in France, but also in several overseas markets, including Spain, Argentina, China and others, reflecting its role as a world car rather than a purely European one. Enthusiasts remember it for its sturdy character, comfortable long-distance manners and unusual combination of prestige-car ambition with everyday durability.
Production ended in 1997, when the last manufacturing run in China was completed. In Peugeot history, it stands out as an important bridge between the classic rear-drive saloons of the 504 era and the brand’s later front-drive executive cars.