Panhard et Levassor : 1891 - 1967

A Panhard-powered ID?

In 1959 a group of journalists from the French magazine "l'Automobile" proposed transforming the 11CV ID into a 5 CV by fitting the Dyna engine.

Given the links between these two marques and given the vast chasm between the 2CV and the ID in Citroën's model range, the idea actually made some sort of sense although whether Citroën paid any attention is unclear.

Improvements in fuel consumption would be achieved by virtue of a considerable reduction in weight and the lower capacity, more economical Panhard engine.

Thanks to the ID's superb aerodynamics top speed would be around 120 km/hr as opposed to 130 km/hr for the Dyna and 135 km/hr for the Citroën-powered car - assuming that the ID's gear ratios were preserved. 

It was proposed that the inboard front disc brakes would be retained - either by using the ID gearbox or adapting the Panhard gearbox to allow them to be fitted to the Panhard driveshafts.

The ID's high pressure hydraulic pump would be driven at half speed from the camshaft which would run it at the same operating speed as on the ID. Hydraulics would only be used for the suspension - steering, brakes, clutch and gearchange would all be conventional.

The Dyna engine would fit perfectly ahead of the front axle.

The fitting of the Panhard engine under the ID bonnet would not pose  problems and given the large space remaining behind the front axle the spare wheel could be easily housed.

The complete ID engine-transmission assembly weighs 198 kg: comprising 142 kg for the engine  and 56 kg for the gearbox and drive shafts.

The Dyna engine and gearbox weighs 77 kg, which gives an immediate reduction in weight of around 120 kg.

Unladen, the car would weigh a little less than 1000 kg.We would thus arrive for our vehicle at an approximate empty weight of less than 1,000 kg compared with 1270 kg for the ID.

Acceleration would have been leisurely but fuel consumption was estimated to have been in the region of 8 - 9 l/100 km as opposed to 9 - 11 l/100 km.