The most expensive car manufacturer in the world starts the list of automotive brands. Bugatti made its name in racing, the iconic Type 35 enjoying phenomenal success in Grand Prix across Europe and Australia in the 1920s and '30s.
Bugatti operated as a high-performance car manufacturer that started in Germany and later moved its operations to France. The Bugatti Royale Type 41 was made from 1927 to 1933. It’s one of the company’s most famous cars and was among the largest automobiles in the world at that time.
Bugatti Chiron: The Ultimate Modern Hypercar
Bugatti today exists as the ultimate symbol of luxury automotive design. The Chiron two-seater sports car, for example, is powered by a 8-liter turbocharged engine.
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The vehicle goes from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in 2.4 seconds. It can reach a top speed of 420 kilometers per hour. Be prepared to part with US$3 million for the privilege of driving one!
Peugeot 402: A Masterpiece of Art Deco Automotive Design
The 402 model, launched by Peugeot in 1935, showcased Art Deco design. Its curved body and headlights, hidden behind a shield-shaped grille, gave it a modern look. This unique style lasted into the early 1940s.
Citroen Traction Avant: The Pioneer of Front-Wheel Drive
The Traction Avant, meaning "front-wheel drive" in French, began production in 1934. It was the first mass-produced front-wheel drive car and changed automotive design forever.
The vehicle set the standard for family designs today. It combines tech advancements with modern driving features.
Renault Dauphine
The French car maker created the Renault Dauphine to compete with the Volkswagen Beetle, launched in 1956. This car joined the bug Citroën 2CV, Morris Minor, Mini, and Fiat 600, which became the first European budget car at their launch.
Alpine A106
Alpine started operations in 1955 as a specialized French automotive manufacturer. Alpine is a Renault subsidiary, but it has its own unique vehicle brand identity.
The A106 rear-engine two-door coupé served as Alpine's inaugural vehicle model.
Aixam City GTO
Aixam operates as a little-known car manufacturer from its base in Aix-les-Bains. The company started in 1983, focusing on microcars. One of their models is the Aixam City GTO. It runs well in France's busy cities.
DS 9: French Luxury in the Premium Automotive Market
DS Automobiles exists as a subsidiary of Citroën, which competes in the luxury-premium market. The independent DS brand began operations in 2014 with the DS9 as one of its current vehicles. The DS9 serves as a luxury business vehicle.
PGO Cevennes
PGO Automobiles started in 1985 in Saint-Christol-lès-Alès. The company makes high-end sports cars. One of its flagship models is the PGO Cévennes.
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The vehicle can hit a top speed of 215 kilometers per hour, or 134 miles per hour. At first glance, it looks like a classic Porsche.
Bugatti Type 35
The development process created high-performance vehicles and also made vehicles for the general public. The following section showcases French automobiles, which we present in alphabetical sequence:
Legendary French Performance Cars
Alpine A110: The Iconic Rally Sports Car
The current Alpine A110 exists as an exceptional sports vehicle that depends on its original 1961 A110 design. The A108 design came before the A110 model. It set the pattern for this glassfibre-based vehicle design.
The A110 featured a GT4 model with four seats. Manufacturers aimed to attract more customers with this design. Yet, the two-seat version became the main focus for Alpine.
The car won races quickly after its launch. This success boosted power levels, reaching a peak of 138 bhp with rear-mounted Renault engines.
Alpine vehicles offered great rally traction. Yet, drivers struggled to control them at peak performance.
The vehicle was produced until 1977. They made it alongside the advanced A310 model and the A110. Production occurred in Brazil, Bulgaria, Spain, and Mexico. They produced a total of 8,139 units.
Bugatti Type 35: The Most Successful Racing Car of Its Era
The Type 35 came out in 1924. It marked Ettore Bugatti's company as a maker of high-performance luxury cars. This model became popular with wealthy clients and professional racers.
The car began with a 2.0-litre straight-eight engine. Yet, for competitive racing, it needed upgrades. This included supercharged 35C engines. The 35T had a 2.3-litre engine without supercharging. In contrast, the advanced 35B featured a larger engine with forced induction.
The Type 35 won over 2,000 races in its various forms during production. It kept winning even after that. The car could reach high speeds because it produced 138 bhp in road trim while weighing 750 kg. The engineers used cast alloy wheels to create lightweight components.
