De Dion-Bouton Model History

France · founded 1883

Pioneer French manufacturer (1883–1932) — once the world's largest automaker, inventor of the De Dion tube axle, and builder of the first mass-produced V8 engine.

Models

La Marquise

The world's oldest running motor car — a four-seat dos-à-dos steam runabout that won Europe's first automobile race in 1887.

Steam car · 1884–1884
Motor Tricycle

The petrol-engined tricycle that made De Dion-Bouton famous worldwide — up to 40,000 engines exported and licensed to 150 manufacturers by 1904.

Motor tricycle · 1895–1904
Vis-à-Vis (Model D)

De Dion-Bouton's first four-wheel petrol car — a quirky rear-engined voiturette that passengers faced the driver.

Voiturette · 1899–1903
Populaire

De Dion-Bouton's first front-engined car — a conventional light voiturette that moved the engine forward and added a reverse gear.

Voiturette · 1903–1905
Type S

De Dion-Bouton's first two-cylinder model — a 1,728 cc 12 CV step up from the singles that opened the multi-cylinder era.

Touring car · 1903–1905
Type AD

The first four-cylinder De Dion-Bouton — 2,545 cc, 15 CV — that placed the brand in the growing medium-car touring segment.

Touring car · 1904–1908
Type CJ V8

The first successful mass-produced V8 engine in the world — 6,107 cc, 35 CV — whose design directly inspired the Cadillac V8 of 1914.

Touring car · 1910–1923
Type LA

De Dion-Bouton's final four-cylinder car — a 1,982 cc overhead-valve model that represented the struggling brand's last attempt at the mainstream market.

Touring car · 1927–1932
Type LB

De Dion-Bouton's final straight-eight — a 2,496 cc luxury car that grew to 3 litres but found almost no buyers at its high price.

Touring car · 1927–1932

Other makes