The 686 was introduced by Hotchkiss in 1936. It was available in several versions including the base 686, the 686 Grand Sport and the luxurious 686 S49, created especially for the government and representative market. Body styles included sedan, cabriolet, coupe, limousine and landaulet. Featuring rear-wheel drive and a 4-speed manual transmission, the 686 was powered by a 3.5L inline six engine. It was notable for its combination of mechanical reliability, smooth handling and high-level finishes. The Hotchkis 686 was produced until 1958.