Based on the 504 street model, a saloon recognized for its robustness, reliability and behavior on the road, this version had great commercial success in its Break and Pick-Up versions.
SUVs have become the most popular and coveted cars in Spain and Europe. But this ‘fashion’ has a curious history, in which family sedans became, thanks to the elevation of their suspensions and the all-wheel drive, in authentic all-terrain vehicles.
The seed of this metamorphosis was one of the most successful sedans in the brand’s history, the PEUGEOT 504. This model stood out for its reliability, its robustness and its behavior on the road on all types of terrain: three characteristics that made it a authentic legend in Africa, where he continues to provide taxi service in many large cities of the continent.
With these extraordinary features in mind, Henry Dangel, a 4×4 and racing car tuner, had the idea of developing an all-wheel drive version of the Leon saloon. The brand supported this initiative with a strong investment, making the PEUGEOT 504 4×4 Dangel a reality, the first 4×4 in the brand’s history.
Launched in 1981, the PEUGEOT 504 4×4 Dangel offered permanent all-wheel drive, limited-slip front differentials and a ground clearance of 21 cm, with approach angles of 53º (in) and 41º (out). It was available with a 96 hp 2.0 petrol engine and a 70 hp 2.3 diesel, to which a 93 hp 2.5 diesel would be added in 1984.
Initially aimed at companies and institutions such as the French Gendarmerie, fire brigades or Éléctricité de France, it was soon opened to the public through the PEUGEOT Dealer Network. A decision that was key to its commercial success. In total, 3,186 units of the pick-up version and 1,442 of the break version were sold.
The PEUGEOT 504 4×4 Dangel has the honor of being the first car of the brand to participate in the Dakar Rally: 14 cars competed in the 1982 edition. Only one reached the Pink Lake, in 49th place. Few thought that this experience in The desert, sponsored by the French radio station Europe 1, would be the first step in a saga of 7 victories and 13 podiums in the toughest rally in the world.
In 1983, with the end of the commercial life of the PEUGEOT 504 in Europe, the time had come to launch a new generation 4×4 Dangel, this time based on the PEUGEOT 505. Already focused, like current SUVs, on the general public and not on a strictly professional use, as evidenced by its range of engines matching that of the saloon, including the 130 hp 2.2 mechanics of the GTi version.
With adventurous air elements such as the spare wheel on the tailgate, the PEUGEOT 505 4×4 Dangel enjoyed great demand in African markets, less so in Europe, which is why there are few units of this model left in the Old Continent, which makes it a highly valued piece among collectors, with prices that can exceed that of the brand’s new SUVs.
With 22 cm of ground clearance, a fording capacity of 60 cm and an approach angle of 42º and a departure angle of 29º, the PEUGEOT 505 4×4 Dangel made the most of the 505’s performance. It included equipment specially adapted to the rough terrain riding, such as inclinometer or skid plates or skid plates, as well as front and rear limited-slip differentials.
With reinforced underbody and raised ground clearance, the PEUGEOT Dangel 4x4s can venture off the beaten track, becoming reliable companions. They have a reinforcement of the motor and protection elements for the engine, the gearbox, the rear axle and other elements that allow them to face the most difficult terrain.
Dangel 4×4 transmission with viscous applicator, skid plate and rear axle protection, limited slip differential, rear differential lock and 200mm ground clearance. This version is easy to use and requires no learning. The rear-wheel drive comes into action automatically and progressively, without driver intervention. Safety is maximized on slippery terrain thanks to the rear slip differential. If one of the two wheels loses grip, the differential offers extra drive to the one with the most traction. Using the rear differential lock, large obstacles can be overcome.
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