France is a country full of love, beauty, excellent wine, and rich history. For ages, all of these qualities have existed.
However, some are more noticeable than others. For example, few people are aware of France’s impact on motorsports and the automobile industry in general.
Despite the fact that France does not have as many brands as the United States or Germany, there are a few diamonds among the ruff.
These firms have been around for decades, producing famous automobiles.
Even if French automobiles aren’t always legal or well-known in the United States, they deserve credit for their prior achievements.
Renault Megane
France’s answer to the modern ‘hot hatch’ competition is the Renault Megane. Automakers have been competing for the greatest sport hatchback since the 1970s, often switching back and forth between brands as the years pass.
Renault’s Megane has been around for a long time. The Megane has tried to be both a comfortable daily driver and a track toy since 1995. (With varying levels of success each time).
Renault also enjoys RallyX, so the Megane was a logical fit for the sport, winning both the British and European Championships.
In the next years, the Megane aspires to keep up with Ford and Peugeot. According to the current state of affairs, they appear to be victorious.
Venturi Coupe 260
Venturi ranks near the top of the list of lesser-known brands. Despite the fact that they didn’t manufacture many models, the ones they did make were quite good.
The Venturi Coupe 260, in particular. In today’s perspective, the Coupe 260 was not mass-produced. Venturi produced around 188 of the 260 copies in total.
As a result, the 260 is a somewhat uncommon classic sports vehicle. It has pop-up headlights, squared corners, and a front end that looks like it belongs on a BMW 8-series.
Citroën 2CV
The Volkswagen Beetle debuted in Germany in the 1940s. France had the Citroen 2CV at approximately the same period.
The 2CV was designed to serve the same aim as the Beetle: to provide a low-cost urban commuter. When the 2CV was first introduced, the European government actually taxed people based on their vehicle’s horsepower.
As a result, automobiles were frequently slow.
Because it only possessed two taxable horses, the Citroen 2CV was dubbed the “two tax horsepower.” In any case, the 2CV was a success. It lasted all the way until the late 1980s.
Peugeot 205 GTi
France has a passion for rally racing, if you didn’t already know. Several of the most successful drivers were French or Finnish.
It’s only logical that the country’s leading carmakers build their best rally cars with such widespread support. The Peugeot 250 GTi came after that.
The 205 GTi was a vehicle with two personalities. One variant may be a quiet car for grandmother to drive to the supermarket, while the other could be a Group A RallyX champion.
Peugeot had created an automobile that anybody could enjoy. Whether it was because of its appearance, speed, or quality, almost everyone seemed to be on board.
Citroën DS
Citroen is a company that presently (at least in the United States) flies under the radar, but in the 1950s, Citroen was a pioneer.
Citroen debuted the DS, a luxury automobile for “executives,” in 1955. It’s still a lovely car with a unique feature: hydraulic systems. During this time, hydraulics was commonplace.
Hydraulic steering and brakes were standard in most cars, while the hydraulic suspension, transmission, and clutch were uncommon.
The Citroen DS sold briskly as a result of all of this. Its “high-tech” capabilities have even saved the life of a French President.
Renault 5 Turbo 2
France has once again demonstrated its passion for rally racing. The Turbo 2 was Renault’s response to the hatchback/rally cars produced by Citroen and Peugeot. The Renault 5 Turbo 2 also put up a valiant battle.
The Renault 5’s modest 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produced approximately 200 horsepower.
The 5 Turbo 2 was similarly designed with rally racing in mind, as each version had nearly identical specifications.
Renault had a true champion with this: WRC victories in Spain, Portugal, France, and other countries.
Bugatti Type 51
Anyone who knows Jay Leno knows about his extensive automotive collection. He has a number of stunning cars, but did you know he also owns a Bugatti Type 51?
The following Type 51 isn’t as well known as the well-known Type 35. Despite this, it is a worthy successor to such a great race vehicle.
The Bugatti Type 51 had something the Type 35 lacked: twin overhead camshafts.
This modification enabled the Type 51 to win numerous races during its stay on the circuit. Type 51 is an ideal vehicle for showcasing motorsports from that era.
It’s just bad you have to be as wealthy as Mr. Leno to be able to afford one.
Renault Alpine A110
The Alpine A110 was one of the most distinctive French automobiles ever made. The two-door Alpine, which was built years after WWII, was unlike any other car.
The A110’s most notable feature was its mid-engine configuration. Multiple variants branched off of the Alpine A110’s basic design, although none were as well-known as the A110.
The Alpine excelled in practically every field it entered, whether it was racing or conventional automobiles. Renault, unexpectedly, chose to reintroduce the Alpine A110 in 2017 with a completely new model.
Thankfully, the design is still reminiscent of the original. There’s no indication on whether Renault will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor and enter it into the competition.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
You probably don’t need the Veyron to be described to you if you’re a serious car fan. It’s worth mentioning, regardless.
Especially now that Bugatti has re-established itself as one of the world’s fastest and most opulent automakers.
With a peak speed of around 250 miles per hour, the Bugatti Veyron shattered everyone’s conventional ideals of speed in 2006.
The Veyron is undoubtedly the pinnacle of automotive luxury, in addition to its eye-watering speed. At least, it should be, considering that obtaining one will cost upwards of a million dollars.
Bugatti Type 57CS Atlantic
There is nothing that compares to a Ferrari 250 GTO. Specifically, in terms of both history and expense.
However, there are still a few contenders, one of which being the Bugatti Type 57CS Atlantic.
The Type 57CS Atlantic now costs more than $40 million to build. It’s not as outrageous as the 250 GTO, but it’s still outrageous.
The Type 57CS Atlantic, like the 250, is a work of art on wheels. Engineering, design, and hand-built marvels at their finest.
It’s no surprise that it’s so expensive. If you had the financial means, you’d have to be insane to turn down such an automobile.