From his election to the presidency of the Republic, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing wants to make his mandate modern.
This is good: his assumption of duty coincides with the arrival of a new generation of large French road cars.
In operation since the beginning of the Fifth Republic, the Citroën DS has had its day.
If the CX replaced it in the course of 1974, the old DS played extra time at the Élysée.
For almost two more years.
As for the extended and convertible SM executed by the coachbuilder Chapron under the mandate of Georges Pompidou, it is reserved for parades and special occasions.
Powered by a modest 2-liter 4-cylinder with 102 horsepower, the new sedan at the Quai de Javel does not have sufficient prestige to transport the Head of State.
This will come with the Prestige model but Valéry Giscard d'Estaing complains about the lack of space in the rear seats.
Even with the extended version by Heuliez.
Not to mention that the CX engine suffers from the comparison with the V6 PRV which slips under the hood of the Peugeot 604 and Renault 30.
The Peugeot 604 SL from 1975. Peugeot
This is how the large sedan of the Sochaux brand unveiled in March 1975 at the Geneva Motor Show integrates the Élysée garage in the following year.
To tell the truth, the 604, which embodies the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie, corresponds better than the new Citroën but also to the Renault 30, like the third President of the Fifth Republic.
Due to its hatchback architecture (with hatchback), the R30 is not as statutory as its Sochaux competitor designed around a notchback silhouette.
The line defends itself from any originality but the 604 represents the longest, the widest, the most luxurious of French cars.
With a length of 4.72 m and powered by the 2.6-liter V6 of 136 hp with carburettor, this large road marketed at the price of 41,700 francs in the SL version boasts a top speed of 180 km / h.
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing at the wheel of his Peugeot 604. - / AFP
We have to believe that the Franche-Comté sedan is to his liking because Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is not reluctant to make it his main and private vehicle.
If he is not as fond of cars as his predecessor Georges Pompidou, who drove in a Porsche 356 before entering Matignon, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing enjoys driving his 604 with his family.
In Auvergne in particular.
The various 604s that will make up the Élysée Park will also transport many personalities from the political world.
During his official trip to France, US President Jimmy Carter will be transported in the large Sochaux sedan.
Even if CX Prestige extended by Heuliez are also used during his seven-year term, Giscard d'Estaing will prefer the Peugeot sedan.
Peugeot
The third president of the Fifth Republic will remain the man who brought Peugeot to the Élysée.
Elected in 1981, François Mitterrand soon converted to Renault.
As for Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, he will remain faithful to the Sochaux brand until the end of his life.
It was not until Emmanuel Macron took office that Peugeot made its return to the Élysée.
He thus regularly uses an armored SUV 5008.
Anxious to ensure the promotion of French industry, the current president also circulates depending on the circumstances in Renault Espace and DS7 Crossback.