Talbot Tagora
Talbot Tagora SX
The Talbot Tagore is a vehicle of the upper middle class, which was produced from mid- 1980 to early 1983.
The original conception was due to Chrysler Europe; after the acquisition of the European Chrysler branches by the PSA Group, the production was, however, under the brand belonging to PSA Talbot.
Background
The American car manufacturer Chrysler was represented in Europe with two different pillars: In the UK Chrysler introduced since 1967, the former Rootes Group under his own name on, on the continent, however, Chrysler was represented in 1971 with the French brand Simca. Chrysler offered in the UK and in France each separate model series, which had no technical relationship to each other.
Even when Simca 1610 Chrysler tried for the first time in both markets, a segment in a unified model to use, but was unsuccessful in the market. Only with the follow-up project C6 and the emerged from Simca models 1307, 1510 and Solara, the brand successfully placed in the middle class.
The project C9 is now trying to enter the upper middle class according to the same pattern. With this vehicle, Chrysler wanted against models such as the Citroën CX, Peugeot 604, Renault 30, Ford Granada, Rover SD1 or compete Audi 100. The plan was an annual production of 60,000 vehicles.
Development
Under the project name C9 began in 1977 the construction works in the British Design Centre Whitley while Simca was responsible for the technical development in Poissy. At the time of takeover of Chrysler Europe through the development of the PSA Tagore was largely completed. Thus, it was excluded from the perspective of PSA Manager to terminate the project. Instead prepared PSA before mass production. To save costs, yet a variety of art pieces have been replaced by assemblies of Peugeot at the Tagore shortly before the launch. Thus came the front axle from the 604 and the gearbox from the 504 from 505 Talbot used the rear axle, but had a low in relation to the body gauge.
Within the Group, the Tagore between the Citroën CX and the Peugeot 604 was positioned.
Production started in mid 1980 with a pre-production, mass production took place in spring 1981. Talbot Tagore was produced exclusively at the French plant Poissy.
Model history
In June 1980, Tagore was introduced as the top model of the revived brand Talbot. At first there was only the 2.2 -liter four- cylinder gasoline engine with 115 hp from the connection with Chrysler - Simca in the equipment lines GL and GLS with four ( GL) or five-speed manual (GLS and SX). From 1981 on, the automatic transmission, already used in the Peugeot 504 ZF was available on request ..
After the takeover by PSA also a great engine was available, so that in addition the top equipment SX with six-cylinder petrol engine from the joint development of Peugeot, Renault and Volvo ( PRV engine) offering from August 1981 with 2.7 liters of displacement. Meanwhile, power has been increased by Talbot through the use of two Weber triple carburetors, sharper camshafts, Mahle pistons and venturi valves of 100 kW ( 136 hp ) to 122 kW (166 hp). The of 206 Nm (DIN) to 234 Nm (DIN) increased torque allowed an acceleration from 0 to 100km / h in less than 8 seconds and a top speed of nearly 200 km / h With this performance, the SX Tagore was the strongest at that time French production car.
Simultaneously with the SX model, the new DT line was introduced with a 2.3 liter, 59 kW (80 hp) turbo diesel was equipped from the Peugeot 604.
The Talbot Tagore was modern for its time and with a lot of electronics. In addition to an electronic ignition there was a monitoring of the oil and water levels, the lighting and brake pads. Upon request, a " dates computer " was offered (standard on SX) indicates the average fuel consumption and driving speed among others. For vehicles with automatic transmission cruise control was available.
Despite these measures, the Tagore did not meet expectations, so the production had to be discontinued in the spring of 1983 after a total of 20,133 copies produced. The vehicle was thus a commercial failure. In Germany, only 3,274 vehicles were sold.
Today, Tagore has disappeared except for a few specimens, the exact number is not known in detail.
Special orders and prototypes
Tagore Presidence
In the fall of 1981 design center, the prototype of a luxury version was presented as Tagore Presidence Talbot in the British Whitley. This vehicle was designed by designer Sunny Atri and should show, at which technological performance Talbot able. For this model, governments and business leaders should be obtained as a customer.
Externally, the difference in the SX model based only other alloy wheels and darker rear lights of the other versions. The interior had seats made of the finest Connolly leather with matching luggage set and brass inlays in the center console. The technical equipment included, among other things, a telephone, a color television with teletext, a video recorder, a voice recorder and a 100W audio system.
However, for the production run, it did not come, so the Presidence remained unique. It is now in the collection of the CAAPY ( Collection de l' Aventure Automobile à Poissy ).
Tagore taxi
In the autumn of 1982 Talbot presented a taxi version of the DT Tagore in Paris. The taxi had an interior with height-adjustable front seats and rear head restraints and the ornate chrome bumpers of the SX.
An order placed by the beginning of 1983 over 5000 units for Paris was no longer be accepted by PSA.
Special edition for the British police
End of October 1982 decided the marketing department of PSA, the introduction of a special model, which was intended only for the British police. Based on the line SX these vehicles were equipped with seats and interior trim made of vinyl. The TRX tires kept at it, but they came on steel rather than aluminum wheels. The on-board computer and the headlamp washers accounted for, with additional fog lights were on offer.
Although a requirement of 100 pieces was expected, only three vehicles were delivered to the police authorities in Cumbria, Northumbria and West Yorkshire in spring 1983.
Prototype Heuliez
French designer and coachbuilder Heuliez two also presented in 1982 at the Tagore -based vehicles:
- A prototype of the successor to the Peugeot 604 imaginary Tagore with a new and less angular front end with Peugeot lion on the radiator grille
- The design of a station wagon version of Tagore.
For both proposals PSA showed no more interest since the end of the brand at that time was already in sight.
New PRV engine for model year 1984
For model year 1984, the SX trim line with the new 2.8 -liter PRV engine (type ZNJK ) should be equipped. The configuration with the two Weber triple carburetors was maintained, which resulted in a power output of 185 hp. The equipment with automatic transmission and cruise control was provided as standard.
It 10 prototypes of the new engine were manufactured and delivered according to the decision to discontinue production of Tagore in production vehicles of model year 1983, without informing the customer. Some copies of these vehicles have been preserved to this day and in collectors' hands.
Equipment and motors
The Tagore was available in four trim levels and three engines:
- GL: 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 85 kW ( 115 hp)
- GLS: 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 85 kW ( 115 hp)
- SX: 2.7-liter V- six-cylinder with 122 kW (166 hp)
- DT: 2.3-liter turbo diesel with 59 kW (80 hp)
Talbot Tagora GLS
Dashboard of Tagore GLS
The developed jointly with Renault and Volvo six-cylinder engine ( PRV ) of Tagore SX
The 2.2 liter four-cylinder Simca engine was available only for the lines LS and GLS.