If anything will be remembered about the French middle/luxury class cars, then it would be the wonderfully comfortable seats. There are people, who have managed to mount the R16 seats in an R4, which was in fact justified because if one had to travel slowly, then at least it could be done comfortably.

Of course, with the Peugeot 604, one did not have to travel slowly at all. After all, it was equipped with the first six-cylinder engine since the 601 from 1931. The engine was actually 'only' two-thirds a French product, because apart from Renault, Volvo was also involved in its development. Right at the last minute, so to speak, did they have to forfeit two of the planned eight-cylinders because of the foreseeable results of the crude oil price-crisis.

Thus, all that remained was the somewhat odd 90° cylinder-bank-angle. This whole operation never had any adverse effect on the car itself, just the opposite was rather the case. We've already praised its comfort and only at first glance did it appear to be a conservative three-box-design. It had any number of fine simplicities, e.g., the narrow top edge of the mudguards or the headlamp set-up (see above picture). Apparently, it was created in cooperation with Pininfarina.

The 604 first appeared with a Diesel engine at the 1979 Geneva International Motor Show. The engine, taken from the 504 GLD was the first turbo-charged Diesel motor car engine and now produced 59 kW (80 HP) instead of 47 kW (64 HP) and 181 Nm of torque instead of only 129 Nm. Only in the Diesel powered model did they change back from the GM- to the ZF-automatic transmission. Below you can hear just how loud the engine was. The 604 Diesel also made its way into the USA, indeed, with pretty gross chrome trimmings and with the unbelievable bumpers which were fitted to the export-versions of that time.

France finally had, once again, their own state-limousine. The HLZ-version, it had a 62 centimetres longer wheelbase and was produced by Heuliez. Two were even available as Landaulets, with a folding convertible roof for the rear seats. Whereas in the normal 604, only the automatic transmission, the electric sun-roof and the leather seating were available as extras, the HLZ on the other hand, had a downright presidential list of optional extras. 08/15