Talbot Tagora

– prices in Germany on 1 August 1982] The initial production run in 1981 (combined with some pre-production runs from 1980) was only one quarter of Chrysler's initial projections. Sales proved insufficient even for this production level, and production continued to sharply decline throughout 1982 and 1983, prompting PSA to cancel the model altogether. By the time the Tagora met its fate, only about 20,000 had been built; by comparison, over 116,000 Peugeot 505s and 74,000 Citroën CXs were made in 1981 alone.cite book | title=Auto Katalog | year=1983 |pages=243]

Powertrains and versions

As with most large cars of its time, the Tagora was a rear-wheel drive vehicle, with a longitudinally-mounted engine. There were three engine choices, mated to four- and five-speed manual transmissions or an optional three-speed automatic in the case of the four-cylinder engines.cite web|url=http://storm.tocmp.com/talbot/tagora18.jpg|title=Dutch Talbot Tagora brochure|work=Free Car Brochures|accessdate=2006-06-11 Nl icon]

The available models were:

* 2.2 L (2155 cc) "Type 180" OHC I4, double-barrel "Solex" carburetor, 115 PS (85 kW), 184 N·m (136 ft·lbf):The base engine was a version of the older Simca "Type 180" 2-litre with increased displacement, as also featured in the Matra Murena. It was unrelated to either the American Chrysler "K" or PSA "Douvrin" 2.2-litre engines. Available trim levels were designated GL and GLS. The GL was the only model to feature the four-speed manual transmission, and have power steering as an option rather than standard. It was first to be dropped, for the 1983 model year.

* 2.3 L (2304 cc) "XD2S" OHV turbodiesel I4, 80 PS (59 kW), 188 N·m (139 ft·lbf):This Peugeot-developed turbodiesel was primarily used in the Peugeot 505 and 604. The diesel-powered version of the Tagora was designated DT.

* 2.7 L (2664 cc) "PRV" OHC V6, two triple-barrel "Weber" carburetors, 166 PS (122 kW), 234 N·m (173 ft·lbf):The V6 model, which was actually badged "2.6", came in the top SX trim level, loaded with extras, but (surprisingly) it was not available with automatic transmission. The PRV engine used in the Tagora was different from the one used in contemporary Peugeots in that it was fitted with triple-barrel Weber carburetors rather than fuel injection, resulting in a higher power rating. This made it the most powerful French car of its time. Nevertheless, only 1,083 V6 Tagoras were made.cite web|url=http://club604.free.fr/tagora/tagora.html|title=La Talbot Tagora|work=Club 604 International|accessdate=2006-06-11 Fr icon]

Tagora "Présidence"

The Tagora "Présidence" was a concept car designed by stylist Sunny Atri at the Talbot design studio in Whitley, Coventry. The concept was created to generate interest in employing high-end Tagoras as chauffeur-driven limousines by users such as business executives and government officials. The donor model for the "Présidence" was the 2.6 SX, which had an interior appointed with Connolly Leather upholstery and real brass, plus a host of electronics including a telephone, dictaphone, text-message receiver, and television with VCR. Originally valued at £25,000, the "Présidence" now resides at a car museum in Poissy.cite web|url=http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/tagora-pres.html|title=Tagora Presidence|work=Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk|accessdate=2006-06-11] cite web|url=http://tagora.special.9online.fr/|title=A cutting of the article on the "Présidence" from the French magazine "Gazoline", posted online|accessdate=2006-06-11 Fr icon]

Reasons for commercial failure

Market situation and image

In terms of engineering, the Tagora had no major flaws (except perhaps for the poor cabin ventilation). The 1979 energy crisis, however, dealt a blow to the European automotive market: the large car segment contracted significantly, making Chrysler's initial sales projections unrealistic. The Tagora was ultimately launched under the Talbot brand, which was relatively unestablished in the marketplace and had a questionable pedigree, which was an unfavorable trait in the executive car market ruled by established names like the Ford Granada.

Design

As the British automobile magazine "What Car?" opined, the Tagora "has such a complete blandness of style as to disqualify it instantly in a market where character and status count for so much." The design of the Tagora was focused on practicality, providing exceptional cabin space at the expense of style. The loss of some of the original design elements at the hands of Chrysler left the Tagora rather featureless. The steep windshield formed a quite strange angle with the relatively short, wedge-shaped bonnet. The car was wider and taller than most of its competitors, and buyers were unaccustomed to such proportions. The PSA-sourced axles had very narrow tracks relative to the width of the body, which provided an awkward look, especially at the rear. Nor did the plain, plastic dashboard stir enthusiasm among reviewers and prospective customers.

References

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20050312020809/www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/forgotten_cars/11/ "Top Gear" on the Tagora]