1982 Citroen Dyane

Citroën Dyane (Hatch), 1967-1983

The Citroën Dyane was in production from 1967 until 1983. Styled in house by Robert Opron, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive hatchback range seating five adults.

The Citroën Dyane was a direct response to the Renault 4 - which in turn had been a riposte to the 2CV. The 4 had built upon the 2CV with a hatchback, increased style and other amenities, and Citroën subcontracted the revisions necessary to Panhard - naming the car in acknowledgement of the work Panhard had done. Intended initially as a supplement to the range, Citroën's plan was for the Dyane to replace the 2CV in time. But at launch it was marketed between the 2CV and the more upmarket Ami - save in certain export countries like Great Britain where it would temporarily replace the 2CV entirely.

A 425cc engine was fitted at first, though the Dyane 6 of 1969 brought a 602cc unit. There were two trim levels - Luxe, as the base, and Confort - which brought hubcaps and nicer interior trim. Citroën would build the Dyane until 1983 - for the first few years production exceeded that of the 2CV, but by 1972 the market was falling for the cheaper and older model once again. It's not that the Dyane was a bad car, simply that national fondness for the Deux Chevaux was so strong. While the Dyane wasn't technically replaced, the Peugeot based Visa filled a similar market slot, and it was easy to point former Dyane customers either at this or the 2CV once production had ceased. The Acadiane van, based on the Dyane and using the rear of the 2CV AK400 van, would continue until the launch of the Visa-based C15 in 1987.

At launch, the Dyane was exactly the same price as a Mini 1000, making this and the Hillman Imp the Dyane's most logical competitors when new. Eastern European alternatives offered value in the 1970s, but today the Dyane's strongest competition comes from its 2CV and Ami siblings - if you want an A-type Citroën little else would do. We could certainly mention the Renault 4 as the A-type's most persistent rival - and in some ways better than the Citroëns - but for many the Renault lacks the same charm you might find in a Dyane.