SPAIN - 402 N4X: the first concept car in the history of Peugeot

• 402 N4X: the first concept car in the history of Peugeot
• Although historically this title is held by Quasar in 1936 Peugeot introduced the 402 'Year 1940': the first concept car in its history
•  N4X 402 was a project engineer Jean Andreau he advanced a future model that never came into series production by the start of World War II

The Peugeot Quasar (1984) is the first prototype of Peugeot by popular consensus. It is because it was the first project of its kind to respond completely to what is a concept car : that is, to advance future trends.However, in 1936 Peugeot and unveiled its first concept car: the Peugeot 402 'Year 1940' or 'N4X'.

N4X 402 Peugeot was commissioned by the engineer Jean Andreau. In the office of projects seeking a hypothetical model Brand known as 'Year 1940' and that would improve both top speed and fuel consumption of the existing 402.

Andreau developed this model over 402. The own N4X introduced important innovations in design and aerodynamics. But he retained elements like the front, others like the windshield, side windows and sides and especially the rear fuselage were his responsibility and had a distinctive appearance. For example, it included a kind of simulating a rear stabilizer fin dolphin and gave him a unique figure.

The first version of the 402 N4X had the same engine as the standard model. However, Andreau achieved a significant improvement aerodynamically certified in the wind tunnel: a Cx of 0.68 was passed to one of 0.28 and maximum acceleration increased from 115 km / h to 140 km / h. Furthermore, it reduced fuel consumption by a third. The popular anecdotes that Jean Andreau receive economic compensation based on the number of kilometers / hour that would achieve boost.

This concept also served as a testbed for certain technical innovations. For example, Andreau came to work in a room equipped with eight-cylinder engine in V and discarded for reasons of industrial feasibility version.

N4X The Peugeot 402 was presented in the same frame as the 402 and with a unit of this model at the Paris Motor Show 1936. The brand trust was such that it was accompanied by the slogan "The Car of the Year 1940 ' .

Unfortunately, history did not allow checking whether this promise fulfilled eventually. The onset of World War II cut short the possibilities of making this concept . There were six units of this prototype, most of which would end up being destroyed.

Although grassroots first concept car dating from the late 30s, this 402 N4X Jean Andreau 1936, Peugeot went ahead and joined the select group of builders who years earlier had already made models of these characteristics.