Stellantis is set to shut down its Douvrin plant in northern France on October 30, 2026. The factory, which has produced millions of engines since 1969, is known for making the PureTech petrol engines and the iconic PRV V6. This closure marks the end of an era as Stellantis shifts focus to electric vehicle battery production.
A Legacy of Engine Production
The Douvrin plant began operations under the French Society of Mechanics in 1969. Over more than five decades, it produced over 40 million engines, powering many popular European cars.
- Engine types included the X engines for Peugeot 104 and 205
- The D engines found in Renault Clio and Twingo models
- The PRV V6, a joint development by Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo
The PRV V6 gained fame beyond Europe, notably powering the DeLorean DMC-12, remembered from the Back to the Future movies.
The Plant’s Final Production: PureTech Engines
In recent years, Douvrin primarily built 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engines, which are key powertrains for many Stellantis models. The last engine to come off the line is expected to be the 1.2 PureTech, also known as Turbo 100. Production will then cease permanently as the facility closes.
At its peak, the plant employed nearly 5,800 workers. Today, only about 100 remain, with some staff transferring to a nearby battery gigafactory.
A Surprising Alfa Romeo Connection
The PRV V6’s story includes an interesting chapter with Alfa Romeo. In the mid-1990s, Alfa Romeo needed a 90° V6 engine for its 155 V6 TI race car, which competed in DTM and ITC racing series.
Because Alfa Romeo lacked such an engine, it used the PRV V6 found in the Lancia Thema sedan, a model powered by the Douvrin-built engine. Alfa Corse extensively redesigned this engine for racing, keeping only the cylinder bank angle and spacing as per regulations.
This French origin was never officially highlighted by Alfa Romeo, which preferred to keep the engine’s base a quiet detail.
Why This Closure Matters
The closing of the Douvrin plant is a clear sign of the changing European automotive landscape. Once a hub for making a wide range of internal combustion engines, including some with a rich cultural history, the plant will no longer produce engines. Instead, resources are shifting toward electric vehicle technologies and battery manufacturing, reflecting broader industry trends.
Source: italpassion.fr