The success of the 205 GTI not only put Peugeot’s current sporty models in the spotlight, but also cast a shadow over its predecessor, the modest Peugeot 104 ZS. However, this small vehicle certainly deserves recognition for its contribution to the brand’s sporting heritage.
It was the 1972 Paris Motor Show, a time when the automotive industry was facing a massive oil crisis. Survival required car manufacturers to reinvent themselves and focus on fuel-efficient models. Peugeot took a radical step with the introduction of the Peugeot 104, the smallest five-door sedan at the time, measuring just 3.58 meters in length. A year later, the model launched even more powerfully with the coupé, a three-door version shortened to 3.3 meters. This coupé served as the basis for a more exciting derivative.
To boost sales and add a sporty variant to the range, Peugeot unveiled the Peugeot 104 ZS in 1976. This choice was remarkable for a brand that, until then, was primarily known for building serious cars for serious people. The modifications to the ZS were modest, but sufficient to appeal to sports car enthusiasts: the engine was enlarged to 1.1 liters, power rose to 66 hp, and the car was given a slightly sportier look, both inside and out.
However, a truly sporty character had to wait until 1979, the year the Peugeot 104 ZS2 was introduced. This ZS2 was a limited edition, consisting of just 1,000 units, produced to meet the homologation requirements for Group 2 racing. Besides the inevitable racing livery—fortunately not too extreme—the engine, in particular, underwent a significant upgrade. This time, the engine grew to almost 1.4 liters and developed 93 hp. This lively little sports car reached an impressive top speed of 170 km/h, a truly extraordinary feat for a vehicle of this size.
A year later, in 1980, the regular Peugeot 104 ZS was also equipped with this more powerful engine, albeit slightly downgraded to 72 hp. The design also took on a more pronounced sporty look, and in 1983, the long-awaited five-speed gearbox was finally introduced. That same year, Peugeot released an additional version, this time with 80 hp. This version served as a kind of farewell, as the revolutionary Peugeot 205 was unveiled in 1984. Despite the arrival of the 205, the Peugeot 104 ZS continued its career until it finally quietly disappeared from the scene in 1986.
In short, the Peugeot 104 ZS, though often forgotten, was a handy and compact predecessor that played a significant role in the evolution of Peugeot’s sports models. With its modest size, fuel-efficient engine, and remarkable performance, the 104 ZS has earned its place in the history of Peugeot sports cars.
Photos Valentine – newsdanciennes.com
