Post by Admin on Nov 6, 2004 15:33:33 GMT
305 – A HISTORY OF THE ‘80s SALOON
The 305 was launched in the UK in May 1978 as a medium size three-box front wheel drive saloon, competing with the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina, Vauxhall Cavalier, Honda Accord, Chrysler Alpine etc. It had an all new Pininfarina designed body with engine and running gear developed from the Peugeot 304 model, which was sold alongside the 305 for a few years. The new model was already established on the continent since its launch in November 1977. In June 1978, Car magazine ran a feature about a 305SR driven from Britain to Morocco and back. 5,000 miles in two weeks and the owners were most impressed by the car.
Two engine sizes, 1290cc 65bhp & 1472cc 74bhp, and three trim levels, GL, GR & SR were available. The SR model cost £3,599 in May 1978. The engines were the well proven XL & XR series aluminium alloy overhead camshaft units with integral four speed gearbox. The car was praised in the motoring press for its roominess, comfort, excellent ride, smooth gearchange and powerful brakes. The main criticism was lack of refinement, in particular road noise on some surfaces and lack of a fifth gear. It was an attractive looking car with a ‘neat, modern shape’ and a ‘high standard of style details’.
A new light aluminium alloy 1548cc 49bhp diesel engine was introduced in 1979 and offered in the GRD saloon model. It thus became one of the earliest entrants into the UK small diesel (under 2000cc) market. The only other contender at the time was the VW Golf diesel. Both cars set new standards of refinement for diesel engines and contributed to the surge of popularity for diesel cars in the 1980s. Peugeot were to remain market leaders in this field for many years to come.
Estate versions of the Peugeot 305 were launched in 1980 with choice of diesel and petrol engines and three trim levels. They were purpose built with a specially developed rear suspension system with horizontal coil springs under the floor, giving a wide unobstructed load area. Meanwhile, the saloon range was increased to seven with the introduction of the GLS (with the larger XR 74bhp engine) and S (twin choke carb 89bhp) models and GLD & SRD diesels. (The GR and SRD models were dropped in 1982 but revived later in the series 2 model range).
The entire model range was updated in 1983 with revised frontal and interior styling and changes to the front suspension, steering and instrumentation. The legendary XUD 1905cc 65 bhp diesel engine was introduced with belt driven overhead camshaft and a separate 5-speed gearbox (First offered in the Talbot Horizon and Peugeot 205, versions of the XUD diesel were subsequently used in the Peugeot 309, 405, 406, as well as Citroen BX & Visa, and some Rovers. I have even seen a home-made XUD engined motorbike!). The series 2 Peugeot 305 was for all intents a different car. The range initially included four saloons and four estates, petrol and diesel. The original XL & XR engines were still offered in the petrol models.
A high performance GT model was launched in 1984 with the new XU series petrol engine. This was a 1580cc aluminium alloy unit with overhead camshaft and twin choke carburettor developing 93 bhp. It could run on unleaded petrol. In 1985 the flagship GTX model was launched with a 1905cc version of the XU engine, developing 105 bhp. This model had alloy wheels, a sumptuous interior, electric windows, central locking and other goodies. An Automatic model was launched in the same year, with 1580 cc XU engine and ZF four speed transmission. 1985 also saw the launch of the SRD model with a tax beating 1769cc 60bhp version of the XUD diesel engine. (A Company car tax band had been set by the Chancellor at 1800cc).
In 1986 the GR & SR models were fitted with the superior 1580cc XU engine. Only the 1290cc XL engine being retained for the base GL model. Later GL models had the 1472cc XR engine.
Production of Peugeot 305 saloons continued until 1987, the range having been superseded by the 309 hatchback model. Production of 305 estates continued until 1989 when the 405 estate became available. The 305 model continued in van form for a few more years.
Andrew Nicholls
The 305 was launched in the UK in May 1978 as a medium size three-box front wheel drive saloon, competing with the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina, Vauxhall Cavalier, Honda Accord, Chrysler Alpine etc. It had an all new Pininfarina designed body with engine and running gear developed from the Peugeot 304 model, which was sold alongside the 305 for a few years. The new model was already established on the continent since its launch in November 1977. In June 1978, Car magazine ran a feature about a 305SR driven from Britain to Morocco and back. 5,000 miles in two weeks and the owners were most impressed by the car.
Two engine sizes, 1290cc 65bhp & 1472cc 74bhp, and three trim levels, GL, GR & SR were available. The SR model cost £3,599 in May 1978. The engines were the well proven XL & XR series aluminium alloy overhead camshaft units with integral four speed gearbox. The car was praised in the motoring press for its roominess, comfort, excellent ride, smooth gearchange and powerful brakes. The main criticism was lack of refinement, in particular road noise on some surfaces and lack of a fifth gear. It was an attractive looking car with a ‘neat, modern shape’ and a ‘high standard of style details’.
A new light aluminium alloy 1548cc 49bhp diesel engine was introduced in 1979 and offered in the GRD saloon model. It thus became one of the earliest entrants into the UK small diesel (under 2000cc) market. The only other contender at the time was the VW Golf diesel. Both cars set new standards of refinement for diesel engines and contributed to the surge of popularity for diesel cars in the 1980s. Peugeot were to remain market leaders in this field for many years to come.
Estate versions of the Peugeot 305 were launched in 1980 with choice of diesel and petrol engines and three trim levels. They were purpose built with a specially developed rear suspension system with horizontal coil springs under the floor, giving a wide unobstructed load area. Meanwhile, the saloon range was increased to seven with the introduction of the GLS (with the larger XR 74bhp engine) and S (twin choke carb 89bhp) models and GLD & SRD diesels. (The GR and SRD models were dropped in 1982 but revived later in the series 2 model range).
The entire model range was updated in 1983 with revised frontal and interior styling and changes to the front suspension, steering and instrumentation. The legendary XUD 1905cc 65 bhp diesel engine was introduced with belt driven overhead camshaft and a separate 5-speed gearbox (First offered in the Talbot Horizon and Peugeot 205, versions of the XUD diesel were subsequently used in the Peugeot 309, 405, 406, as well as Citroen BX & Visa, and some Rovers. I have even seen a home-made XUD engined motorbike!). The series 2 Peugeot 305 was for all intents a different car. The range initially included four saloons and four estates, petrol and diesel. The original XL & XR engines were still offered in the petrol models.
A high performance GT model was launched in 1984 with the new XU series petrol engine. This was a 1580cc aluminium alloy unit with overhead camshaft and twin choke carburettor developing 93 bhp. It could run on unleaded petrol. In 1985 the flagship GTX model was launched with a 1905cc version of the XU engine, developing 105 bhp. This model had alloy wheels, a sumptuous interior, electric windows, central locking and other goodies. An Automatic model was launched in the same year, with 1580 cc XU engine and ZF four speed transmission. 1985 also saw the launch of the SRD model with a tax beating 1769cc 60bhp version of the XUD diesel engine. (A Company car tax band had been set by the Chancellor at 1800cc).
In 1986 the GR & SR models were fitted with the superior 1580cc XU engine. Only the 1290cc XL engine being retained for the base GL model. Later GL models had the 1472cc XR engine.
Production of Peugeot 305 saloons continued until 1987, the range having been superseded by the 309 hatchback model. Production of 305 estates continued until 1989 when the 405 estate became available. The 305 model continued in van form for a few more years.
Andrew Nicholls
