Simca

The Simca Ariane was introduced in April 1957 as an economical alternative to the V8-powered Vedette, combining the spacious body of the larger model with the proven 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine from the Aronde. Developed before, but accelerated by, the 1956 Suez Crisis and rising taxes on large engines, it offered French buyers a practical full-size family car with much lower running costs. Later that year, the Ariane 8 joined the range with the Vedette's V8 engine. Over the following years the Ariane received styling and equipment updates, and in its final years was renamed Simca Miramas. Production ended in 1963 after 166,363 units, with the Simca 1300/1500 succeeding it.