PANHARD

The brand Panhard & Levassor shortened its name to "Panhard" in 1932. This change of direction reflected a desire to adapt to a constantly evolving automotive world, where clarity and a strong identity became imperatives.

Panhard, precursor of the modern automobile

In the last years of the 19th century, while the French industrial era was in full swing, two visionary men, René Panhard and Émile Levassor, founded a mechanical engineering company in 1887. Initially dedicated to machine tools, the company pivoted in 1891 to the automobile, using a Daimler license for its two-cylinder engine.

The prototype that emerged that year was a revolution: front engine, rear-wheel drive, shaft transmission, and a dedicated gearbox. It was the birth of the famous Panhard system, which still influences vehicle architecture today.

1890-1914: The golden age of pioneers

Panhard became the first brand to mass-produce cars with a separate chassis and an efficient transmission. From 1894, the company participated in the Paris-Rouen race, then won the mythical Paris-Bordeaux-Paris in 1895 thanks to the tenacity of Émile Levassor.

During this period, the Panhard company introduced major innovations:

1895: H-gate gearbox, a world first that made gear selection easier.
1898: Introduction of overhead valve engines, improving combustion and power.
1902: In-line 4-cylinder engines with Bosch magnetic ignition.
1906: Multi-plate oil bath clutch for better progressiveness.

The brand also distinguished itself in elegance competitions, combining technical performance with luxurious bodywork.

1920-1939: Prestige under constraint

After the First World War, Panhard resumed production with luxurious vehicles, intended for a demanding urban elite. The Panhard 10 HP, then CS and Dynamic models displayed a bold style, marked by fluid lines and mechanical innovations: hydraulic brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, valveless engines (with Knight sleeve valves).

The CS was equipped with a 2.3 to 2.9 L in-line 6-cylinder, with an overhead camshaft. As for the Dynamic (1936), it adopted an aerodynamic silhouette, an independent front suspension, and central steering (the steering wheel placed in the middle of the dashboard).

But the 30s were hard: the effects of the 1929 crisis hit the automotive industry hard. Panhard refocused and simplified its name to "Panhard" in 1936, marking a strategic turning point.

1945-1967: The age of the Dynas

Right after the Liberation, Panhard distinguished itself again with its audacity: the Dyna X (1946) stood out with its aluminum monocoque structure, its sober and modern lines, and especially its air-cooled flat twin-cylinder engine—derived from wartime prototypes.

The engine, of the 2-stroke boxer type and then 4-stroke with opposed overhead valves, developed between 28 and 42 horsepower for a total weight of less than 600 kg. The result: very low consumption (around 5L/100 km), and remarkable agility.

The Dyna Z (1954) improved the concept: larger, better finished, it adopted a front suspension with torsion bars and full hydraulic braking. The PL 17 (1959) continued the series with a more fluid line, improved comfort, and an excellent aerodynamic coefficient of 0.26, exceptional for the time.

Despite these advances, production costs—especially those related to aluminum—hampered profitability. In 1965, Panhard was bought by Citroën, which ceased production of civilian vehicles in 1967.

1960–2012: From the road to armored vehicles

While civilian cars gradually faded, Panhard found a new path in the field of defense. From the 1950s, the company developed a series of light, robust, maneuverable, and exportable armored vehicles, becoming a discreet but strategic pillar of the French military industry.

EBR (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance - Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle) – 1951

Launched in the context of the Cold War, the EBR is an 8x8 wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicle, designed for vast operational terrains. It is equipped with an oscillating chassis, eight wheels, four of which are retractable for the road, and above all a powerful 75 mm cannon (or 90 mm for later versions).

Powered by a 200 hp Panhard 12H engine, the EBR reached a top speed of 105 km/h. Its range (650 km) and its independent suspension made it a fast mobility tool. More than 1,200 units were produced and remained in service until the 1980s.

AML (Auto Mitrailleuse Légère - Light Armored Car) – 1961

Developed to meet the needs of asymmetrical conflicts, the AML is a compact four-wheel drive armored car, with varied armament depending on the versions: 90 mm cannon (AML-90), 60 mm mortar (AML-60), or twin machine guns.

Light, rugged, and easy to maintain, the AML was a huge export success: more than 4,000 units were delivered to more than 30 countries. Used in conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it became an emblem of French military diplomacy.

VBL (Véhicule Blindé Léger - Light Armored Vehicle) – 1985

With the rise of external operations and the need for discreet reconnaissance, the VBL marked a new turning point. Compact, amphibious, protected against mines and light fire, it could carry three soldiers and offered NBC protection (nuclear, biological, chemical).

Powered by a 95 hp Peugeot XD3T turbo diesel, the VBL could reach 95 km/h on the road, and 5 km/h in the water thanks to its hydrojet propulsion. Still in service in the French army, it is suitable for electronic warfare, observation, or tactical liaison.

ERC-90 "Sagaie" – 1977

Designed for overseas forces, the ERC-90 is a six-wheeled armored vehicle that is both powerful and mobile. Equipped with a high-pressure 90 mm cannon mounted on a GIAT TS90 turret, it combines anti-tank engagement capability, speed (85 km/h), and obstacle crossing.

Thanks to its 6x6 propulsion and its hydropneumatic systems, it adapted to difficult terrains. It was widely used in Africa, the Balkans, and Lebanon, and remains an emblematic model of Panhard's expertise in light intervention armored vehicles.

Towards an industrial merger

In the 2000s, Panhard gradually lost its independence. In 2005, the company became Panhard General Defense, fully dedicating itself to the manufacture of armored military vehicles. In 2012, it was bought by Renault Trucks Defense (RTD), a Volvo group entity specializing in land defense. This acquisition marked the end of a century and a quarter of industrial history under the Panhard name.

However, the qualities that made the brand's reputation—lightness, mobility, robustness—continue to guide the design of many modern military vehicles, in a perfectly assumed technical legacy.

An immortal legacy

The "Panhard system", the modernization of the chassis, the innovations in comfort and efficiency, as well as a constant elegance make this brand a cornerstone of the global automobile.