The Chausson Perle was a concept vehicle developed by Chausson Ingénierie Carrosserie Automobile of Asnières, France, presented as a complete, driveable prototype rather than a styling exercise. Its name stood for Projet d'Etude et de Recherches d'une Ligne Européenne, reflecting the company's intent to demonstrate its capabilities in automotive design, development and industrialization. Chausson, previously involved in producing the Opel GT of the late 1960s (built in more than 100,000 units) as well as work for the automotive and railway industries, unveiled a small-scale model of the concept at the 1987 Frankfurt IAA alongside a period Opel GT. The full-size original concept study made its public debut at the Geneva motor show about eighteen months later.
The Perle was a compact one-box multi-purpose vehicle measuring 415 cm long, 175 cm wide and 155 cm tall, with a wheelbase of 254.5 cm shared with its Renault 19 base. It was notably more compact than the contemporary Renault Espace (436.5 cm long, 166 cm tall) but was configured only as a four-seater. Access was through two long, electrically operated sliding doors with integrated side protection that, when opened, slid forward beyond the front of the car. Distinctive design details included flank recesses built into the doors, an integrated bumper design, six small headlamps, windshield wipers concealed under a flap, a black tailgate framed by body trim, and a glass roof panel over the front seats. The front windshield itself could be tilted upward together with the digital instrument panel to allow access to the engine compartment.
The cabin featured four two-tone upholstered seats, with leather and Alcantara trim and walnut wood veneer giving the interior a luxurious character. The driver used a command console that could call up various data on digital displays.
Mechanically the Perle was built on Renault 19 underpinnings, with an engine in the 1.7 to 2 litre range, automatic transmission, an ABS system, and climate control integrated as a module in the dashboard. Chausson noted that the concept could accommodate a variety of drivetrain layouts, including four-wheel drive made feasible by its center tunnel, while promoting its technologies for small- and medium-scale series production. The Perle remained a prototype and was never put into production.
