31st Dec 2003, 05:24
I don't think Lotus were involved, but I have a recollection it was based on a 1.5 litre Horizon with front wheel drive. I suspect it was built as a "one-off" with Peugeot-Talbot backing.
12th Aug 2004, 05:57
With regard to improving it I can highly recommend the 'Pullman' version which carried the 142 x 175 alloys which were also OE on the Talbot Sunbeam 2.2 Rally rocket and also some Simca's. This further improves the already very predictable handling. Also a significant improvement for anyone who can be bothered is the fitment of the 1592cc engine out of a Solara or Alpine rather than the standard 1442cc. The 10% extra capacity really seems to make it a lot more grunty and a bit of a wolf (well maybe a husky) at the traffic light grand prix. I have no idea why this engine was not fitted as standard in the UK as it was a production model in France.
23rd Nov 2005, 14:53
The larger engine was never fitted because they could not make enough for Alpine production. I agree that it would have been a worthwhile upgrade.
18th Jun 2006, 16:51
A Talbot 2.2 horizon will beat a lot of cars out there 0-62mph in 6 seconds isn't exactly slow, this is the first ever hot hatch before the VW golf GTi was ever made.
17th Jun 2009, 07:32
Why do you think Peugeot bought Talbot?
The Horizon morphed into the original hot 205 hatch.
28th Jul 2026, 13:48
Peugeot acquired Chrysler Europe's operations, and Talbot was a brand associated with Chrysler in both the UK and the rest of Europe.
Talbot models began using Peugeot engines (though some were of Simca origin) and from the 1980s onwards, the brand became dependent on Peugeot.
The Horizon was a distinct car from the 205; it was a hatchback that shared the market with the 205 and 305 (sharing various petrol and diesel engines with them).
There were some interesting Talbot models in the 1980s, with the Horizon and Solara being the most significant. Naturally, sales were not stellar, as Peugeot ultimately phased out the Talbot brand in the late 1980s. In fact, the Peugeot 309 was originally intended to be a Talbot model named the Arizona, but that plan did not come to fruition.
19th Dec 2003, 10:49
I read somewhere that there was one factory prototype Talbot Horizon Lotus built. I've seen a picture too, but can't remember where and I'm not sure what the drive layout was.