Editing Talbot Samba (section)

==Launch==
Production of the new car started in October 1981, and it was officially launched as the Talbot Samba in December. Unlike the Horizon, [[Talbot 1510|1510/Alpine]] or [[Talbot Solara|Solara]], which were made simultaneously in France and England, the new Samba was assembled only in [[Poissy]].<ref name=AS82p39>{{cite magazine | magazine = [[Autosport]] | date = March 11, 1982 | title = Sampling the Samba | first = John | last = Bolster | page = 39 | publisher = Haymarket Publishing | volume = 86 | issue = 10}}</ref> The engine lineup included three versions of the [[Straight-four engine|four cylinder]] [[PSA X engine]], which the Samba shared with its Peugeot and Citroën siblings, coupled with three trim levels. The base LE and LS came with the 954&nbsp;cc ''[[PSA X engine|XV]]'', the GL with the 1124&nbsp;cc ''[[PSA X engine|XW]]'' and the top-of-the-line GLS with the largest 1360&nbsp;cc ''[[PSA X engine|XY engine]]''. The GLS was also available with a five-speed transmission. Power outputs are {{cvt|45|, |50|, and|72|PS|kW|0}} respectively.<ref name=AS82p39/> The engine was tilted 72 degrees backwards to allow the spare tire to be stored under the bonnet without having to raise it, and drove the gearbox through a set of step-down pinions.<ref name=AS82p39/> The GL was rated as "Europe's most economical car" according to the official [[European Community|EEC]] [[fuel consumption]] figures, bettering the previously triumphant [[Renault 5]], but later lost the title to the Austin Metro.<ref name="rootes-development"/>

===Cabrio===
[[File:1984 Talbot Samba Cabrio (14353041016).jpg|thumb|right|Talbot Samba Cabrio|alt=A convertible car with the top down.]]
In an effort to make the vehicle stand out in the market against similar rivals, which included its own derivatives, Peugeot added a more glamorous two-door [[Cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]] to the standard three-door hatchback. Although announced at the hatchback's launch, the first models were not available until 1982. Designed and built by the Italian [[coachbuilder]] [[Pininfarina]], who had been building open-top Peugeots since the 1960s, it came only with the 1360&nbsp;cc engine; two engine versions were offered, 53 or 59&nbsp;[[Watt|kilowatts]] (72 or 80&nbsp;[[Horsepower|PS]])—the former was dropped after 1984, at which time a slightly revised cabriolet was released featuring the later style 104 dashboard, twin carburettors and a lined hood; the 80&nbsp;bhp engine was shared with the Rallye. At the time of its launch it was the only cabrio small car available from the manufacturer, although other models subsequently entered the market segment created by the Samba, including PSA's own Citroën Visa Décapotable. Pininfarina built 13,062&nbsp;Samba cabriolets.<ref name="rootes-development"/>

===Rallye===
[[File: Samba-SR2-GRB.jpg|thumb|Samba-SR2-Group B]]
Following the [[rallying]] successes of the [[Simca 1000]] and the Talbot Sunbeam, PSA launched the Samba Rallye in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/talbot/samba-rallye.php|title=TALBOT SAMBA Rallye - GUIDE OCCASION|website=L Automobile Sportive, le guide des voitures de sport}}</ref> Fitted with the 1219&nbsp;cc ''[[PSA X engine|XZ]]'' version of the X engine, delivering 66&nbsp;kilowatt (90&nbsp;PS), it came in either white or red, with a [[hood scoop]] and side stripes. In 1984, a version with the 1360&nbsp;cc unit producing 59&nbsp;kilowatt (80&nbsp;PS) was launched, without the stripes. A special rallye-only [[Group B]] model, officially called the Peugeot Talbot Sport Samba Rallye preceded the later Peugeot 205 T16, with a 1285&nbsp;cc, 96&nbsp;kilowatt engine (130&nbsp;PS).<ref name="rootes-development"/>

====Talbot Samba Rally Group B====
After the success with amateur drivers of the Simca Rallye and the 104 GR2 and GR5, the Peugeot Talbot Sport group under the leadership of [[Jean Todt]] decided to homologate the Talbot Samba Rallye in group B.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rallygroupbshrine.org/the-group-b-cars/rally-cars/talbot-samba-rallye/|title=Talbot Samba Rallye (Group B)|date=January 20, 2016|website=Rally Group B Shrine}}</ref> It proved effective on asphalt.

In January 1983, the Samba type SRE was homologated, and two-hundred examples were produced by the PTS group - mainly aimed at private drivers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/chrysler-talbot/samba/rallye/|title=Talbot Samba Rallye - 1980s pocket rocket|first=Keith|last=Adams|date=April 22, 2017}}</ref> While still competitive, the Samba Rallye was considerably less expensive than other brands. Its weight is {{cvt|675|kg|lb|0}}, thanks to the use of fiberglass body parts (the doors, the rear hatch, the engine cover). Suspension is coil overs, while the brakes are AP Lockheed four-piston calipers at the front and aluminum two-piston calipers for the rear.<ref name="grbtalbot">[http://www.groupbrally.com/talbot.shtml Talbot] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706175756/http://www.groupbrally.com/talbot.shtml |date=6 July 2012 }}. Group B Rally. Retrieved 2 May 2012.</ref> Also fitted was an aluminum roll bar, faster steering rack, Makrolon windows, hydraulic handbrake, one-piece PTS rims, front and rear anti-roll bar, four-in-two-in-one exhaust, oil cooler, and a reinforced rear axle. The overhead camshaft engine was increased to 1,285 cc and produced {{cvt|130|hp-metric|kW|0}}, all coupled to a short gearbox with self-locking differential.

;Talbot Samba Rallye Group B SRE2 evolution
In January 1984 the Samba Rallye evolution type SR2 is homologated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicdb.fia.com/car/talbot-samba-rallye-1|title=FIA Historic Database|website=historicdb.fia.com}}</ref> The changes are numerous: increased tracks with wide fenders in polyester, triangulated front axle, new engine cradle, lengthened and reinforced transmission gimbals, fiber front bumper with brake cooling scoops, new anti-roll bar, standard triple-Y exhaust (4–2–1), adoption of a new generation front and rear AP brake, specific steering rods and the possibility of choosing five different roll cage models (aluminum or steel).

The engine increases to 1,296 cc and {{cvt|136|hp-metric|kW|0}} with the adoption of a more aggressive camshaft and larger intake ducts.

Quickly a catalog including all the Samba group B parts is offered by the Peugeot team. This is how some private pilots could have their own Group B Samba built by small workshops like Mathiot, Brozzi, or Bouhier. This has the effect of increasing the number of Samba group B beyond the initial two hundred copies released.

The car notably won the 1985 Al Fito Hill Climb, with Spaniard Paulino Diaz.

;1,440 and 1,550 cc evolutions
Two engine manufacturers are at the origin of the development of these ultimate evolutions. They are Mathiot and Brozzi, they obtain these displacements by changing the engine bore to 78.50&nbsp;mm for the 1440 and 80&nbsp;mm for 1550 cc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://groupbrally.com/?page_id=49|title=Talbot « Group B Rally}}</ref> These engines were already present on the Peugeot 104 Group 5 as well as on the Citroën Visa Mille Pistes.

To fit in with rally regulations, the little Samba had to be ballasted in order to reach the {{cvt|750|kg|lb|0}} minimum weight required for cars in the 1600&nbsp;cc class. On the other hand, in hillclimbing, it was at the right weight of 675&nbsp;kg and in this discipline, it became an even more successful machine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/talbot/samba/1983/884562|title=1983 Talbot Samba - 1983 TALBOT SAMBA RALLYE GROUPE B EVOLUTION|website=www.classicdriver.com}}</ref>