The Talbot Tagora is an executive car developed by Chrysler Europe and produced by Peugeot Société Anonyme (PSA).

[6] The original C9 prototype was a modern-styled saloon with a low beltline and large interior dimensions made possible by the long-wheelbase.

Since the Tagora would be in direct competition with PSA models that used the PRV, it seemed unlikely that Chrysler would be able to procure that engine.

[5] During the development of the C9, the management of the bankruptcy-threatened Chrysler Corporation decided to divest itself of its debt-ridden European operations.

The Simca double wishbone front suspension gave way to MacPherson struts adopted from the Peugeot 505 and 604, and the rear axle was replaced with that of the 505, much narrower than the one originally planned, as it was designed with respect to the 505 body width, and thus compromised the C9's stance as the rear wheels were now badly inset within their arches.

Following a hands-on demonstration of the model to the press in Morocco in March 1981, the car went on sale in France in April and in the United Kingdom in May.

[11] During the first fifteen months of the car's existence, in 1980/81, a mere 16,169 Tagoras were produced[12] which was only one quarter of Chrysler's initial projections.

The concept was created to generate interest in employing high-end Tagoras as chauffeur-driven limousines by users such as business executives and government officials.

The donor model for the Présidence was the 2.6 SX, which had an interior appointed with Connolly Leather upholstery and brass highlights, plus a host of electronics including a telephone, dictaphone, text-message receiver, and television with VCR.

Autocar reviewed the Tagora in its 2.2 litre GLS iteration, and summed it up as "excellent, if not a great advance".

However, Motor Sport[23] considered the Tagora a "usefully effortless, uncomplicated, simple-to-drive and very comfortable car".

The recurring theme of published tests was the Tagora's lack of clear advantages or of a competitive edge.

Of these cars, the Tagora was the second most expensive but did not have a superiority among the significant attributes of speed, acceleration, interior room or chassis design.

Motor Sport also noted the car's modest competence in comparison with the Rover 2300 (launched 1976), saying that the Tagora had more leisurely acceleration.

[23] LJK Setright noted the cars's overall "adequacy" going on to say that if fitted with the correct type of tyre he would still opt for a Peugeot 604 instead.

[21] In summary, the main competencies of the Tagora were its spacious cabin (though it was not class-leading), its comfortable seating, its fuel economy (in 2.2 GLS form) and the size of its luggage compartment (572 litres).

The 1979 energy crisis, however, dealt a blow to the European automotive market: the large car segment contracted significantly,[3] making Chrysler's initial sales projections unrealistic.

opined, the Tagora "has such a complete blandness of style as to disqualify it instantly in a market where character and status count for so much.