De Dion-Bouton Populaire History

For 1903 De Dion-Bouton adopted the layout that would dominate the next century of car design: the engine moved to the front of the chassis. The Populaire used single-cylinder engines of 700 cc or 942 cc, with the larger unit providing enough torque to allow light trucks on the same chassis.

By the end of 1903 a reverse gear had been incorporated — an important step toward the fully integrated drivetrain. The Populaire family ran alongside the new multi-cylinder Types S and AD before the range was rationalised into a unified front-engined touring-car programme that dominated the company's middle years.