L’Aventure Peugeot Museum, Sochaux, France
Until January 7th, 2024
2023 is a year rich in anniversaries for Peugeot, and after the 40th anniversary of the 205, it is the Peugeot 306 that celebrates its 30th anniversary with a dedicated exhibition at the Museum L’Aventure Peugeot. Marketed from February 1993, the Peugeot 306 was aimed at the M1 segment, which at that time accounted for 30% of sales in Europe. Built in several of the group’s factories, the 306 was a great commercial success, and was available in multiple versions of bodywork, finishes and engines. 8 cars are present at this anniversary exhibition.
There are different versions of bodywork, including the elegant convertible which offered 4 seats in the sun. The “shooting break” concept, a unique model presented to promote HDI diesel engines, dates back to 1999. The 306 “Gendarmerie” was based on the 306 S16, the sports car in the range. With 167hp, it was used by the rapid intervention brigades.
Much more powerful, the 306 Maxi was a rally beast. Gilles Panizzi won the French Rally Championship in 1995 and 1997. In 1997 and 1998, the 306 Maxi, “2 litres – 2 wheel drive” came up against the powerful WRC (World Rally Cars), mainly on asphalt rallies, and François Delecour finished 2nd in the 1998 Tour de Corse. The 306 Maxi is equipped with a 4-cylinder 2-litre/16-valve engine developing up to 290 hp.
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