The Peugeot 406 is a large family car that was produced by French automaker Peugeot between 1995 and 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407.

Peugeot 406
Overview
ManufacturerPeugeot
Also calledPeugeot Coupé
Production1995–2004 (France)
1996–2008 (Egypt)
1997–2005 (Italy, coupé)
AssemblySochaux, France (Sochaux Plant)
Val di Sangro, Italy
Cairo, Egypt (AAV)
Kaduna, Nigeria
Lat Krabang, Thailand (Yontrakit)
Jakarta, Indonesia
DesignerLaurent Rossi (saloon) (1991)
Davide Arcangeli and Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Pininfarina (coupé)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassLarge family car (D)
Body style4-door saloon
5-door estate
2-door coupé
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed AL4 automatic
4-speed ZF 4HP20 automatic (V6 only)
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,555 mm (179.3 in) (saloon)
4,736 mm (186.5 in) (estate)
4,615 mm (181.7 in) (coupé)
Width1,764 mm (69.4 in) (saloon)
1,760 mm (69.3 in) (estate)
1,781 mm (70.1 in) (coupé)
Height1,396 mm (55.0 in)
Chronology
PredecessorPeugeot 405
Peugeot 504 coupé (for coupé)
SuccessorPeugeot 407

Phase 1

edit

The styling of the 406 is heavily influenced by its predecessor, the 405, which began to be phased out from the 406's launch in September 1995, and eventually finished production in Europe in 1997, when the last estate models were discontinued. United Kingdom sales of the 406 began in February 1996.[2]

The initial design of the Coupe was originally offered to Fiat by Pininfarina in about 1990, only for Fiat to reject the design and design its own coupe.[3][citation needed]

The 406 was notably successful in the United Kingdom, having broken into the country's key fleet sales market,[4] with a high percentage of units becoming company cars and taxis.[citation needed]

In August 2002, a Peugeot 406 HDi set the world record for the longest distance driven on a single tank of fuel. The car travelled across Australia between Melbourne to Rockhampton, with a total distance of 2,348 km.[5][6] Knock-down kit versions of the car were also built at the Yontrakit Industrial Factory in Lad Krabang, Bangkok, Thailand.

Equipment

Initial trim levels consisted of SR, ST and top of the line SV with various optional features. 406 had many advanced optional features such as electric seats with memory, rain sensor, variable electronic suspension control, speed sensitive power steering and rear windscreen wiper on the saloon.[7][8]

There was also a factory body kit available.[9]

Suspension

Front suspension has an inverted MacPherson suspension.

For the rear suspension Peugeot developed an all new and model exclusive multilink called RS10. It consist of three transverse control arms and a longitudinal arm.

Special features of the RS10 was that it could produce more negative toe on the outer wheel for stability in corners and more negative camber for stability when the rear end rises in emergency braking.[10][11]

Engines

The car was available with a range of petrol engines: 1.6 8V, 1.8 16V and 2.0 16V, 2.0 8V turbo and 3.0(2946cc) V6 24V[11][8]

For diesel there was three engines: 1.9 8V turbodiesel, 2.1 12V turbodiesel and 2.0HDi 8V[8][11]

Coupé

edit

The two door coupé, launched at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, was both designed and manufactured by Italian design studio Pininfarina, with choices of a 2.0 L four cylinder engine or a 3.0 L V6, and halfway through 2001, a 2.2 L HDi diesel engine. A total of 107,633 coupés were made.[3]

The coupé has the same platform and suspension as saloon and estate but with some upgrades to enhance ride handling. All models had a wider track of 16mm from coupé specific rims and additional 36mm at the rear from different spindle and lower control arm. Ride height is lowered 16mm. V6 also received a 26mm front strut brace and 305mm Brembo 4-pot calipers front brakes.[7]

Interior had the same dashboard, center console and steering wheel as saloon and estate. It had five gauge instrument panel with chrome rings on all models.

Engines

edit
Model Engine-
type
Cylinders /
valves
Displacement Power / rpm Torque / rpm Years
Petrol
1.6 XU5 JP (BFZ) 4 / 8 1580 cc 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) / 6000 130 N⋅m (96 lb⋅ft) / 2600 1996–1997
1.8 XU7 JB 4 / 8 1761 cc 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) / 5000 147 N⋅m (108 lb⋅ft) / 2600 1997–1999
1.8 XU7 JP4 4 / 16 1761 cc 112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp) / 5500 155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) / 4250 1996–2000
1.8 EW7 J4 4 / 16 1749 cc 117 PS (86 kW; 115 hp) / 5500 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) / 4000 1999–2004
2.0 XU10 J4R (RFV) 4 / 16 1998 cc 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) / 5500 180 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) / 4200 1996–2000
2.0 EW10 J4 (RFN) 4 / 16 1997 cc 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) / 6000 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) / 4100 1999–2003
2.0 EW10 J4 (RFR) 4 / 16 1997 cc 139 PS (102 kW; 137 hp) / 6000 197 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) / 4100 1999–2000
2.0 HPI EW10 D (RLZ) 4 / 16 1997 cc 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) / 6000 192 N⋅m (142 lb⋅ft) / 4000 2001–2004
2.0 Turbo XU10 J2TE 4 / 8 1998 cc 147 PS (108 kW; 145 hp) / 5300 235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) / 2500 1997–1999
2.2 EW12 J4 (3FZ) 4 / 16 2231 cc 158 PS (116 kW; 156 hp) / 5650 217 N⋅m (160 lb⋅ft) / 3900 1999–2003
2.9 V6 ES9 J4 (XFZ) 6 / 24 2946 cc 190 PS (140 kW; 190 hp) / 5500 267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) / 4000 1997–2000
2.9 V6 ES9 J4S (XFX) 6 / 24 2946 cc 207 PS (152 kW; 204 hp) / 6000 280 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) / 3750 1999–2003
Diesel
1.9 TD XUD9 TE/Y 4 / 8 1905 cc 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) / 4000 196 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) / 2250 1995–1999
2.0 HDi DW10 TD (RHY) 4 / 8 1997 cc 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) / 4000 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) / 1900 1999–2003
2.0 HDi DW10 ATED (RHZ) 4 / 8 1997 cc 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) / 4000 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) / 1750 1999–2004
2.0 HDi DW10 ATED (RHS) 4 / 8 1997cc 107 PS (79 kW; 106 hp) 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) / 1750
2.1 TD XUD11 BTE 4 / 12 2088 cc 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) / 4300 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) / 2000 1995–1999
2.2 HDi DW12 TED4 (4HX) 4 / 16 2179 cc 133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp) / 4000 314 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) / 2000 2001–2003

Phase 2

edit
Euro NCAP test results
Peugeot 406 (1997)[12]
Test Score Rating
Adult occupant: 15      
Pedestrian: N/A     
 
Post facelift Peugeot 406 ST
 
Post facelift Peugeot 406 saloon
 
Post facelift Peugeot 406 Estate
Euro NCAP test results
Peugeot 406 (2001)[13]
Test Score Rating
Adult occupant: 18      
Pedestrian: 14     

The facelifted 406 saloon was introduced in February 1999 and safety, strength and speed enhancements resulted in improved Euro NCAP performance. Where the old 406 had one star and a struck off star, the post facelift models gained three stars.[14]

New engine series was launched with the new and improved EW/DW Engine Family with greater power, torque and fuel efficiency along with increased refinement, making it comparatively quiet for a diesel. There was also a direct injected petrol dubbed HPi. The engine old 2.0 litre turbo petrol was succeeded by the N/A 2.2 petrol with VCT. Diesel engines got narrower radiator and the intercooler horizontally to the left beside the radiator.[11][8]

The exterior front and rear got new bumpers and lights. As all models of the coupé the saloon and estate now had 16 inch wheels in some of the trim levels.[8]

The interior was also updated to improve comfort and sound insulation. Updated equipment included automated digital climate control/air conditioning on most models except the most basic and a multi function display for warning messages, trip computer, radio and external temperature. Rear view mirror with auto dim was also a new feature

Halfway into 2001 there was an important update for the 406 with the implementation of the PSA and Renault developed VAN bus, can be recognised by the updated next generation steering column stalks that implemented the radio and cruise control stalk in one module. Also a new diesel engine appeared with this update; the 2.2HDi 16 valve with DPF.

The top of the range Executive model was specified a ten speaker JBL sound system, electrically adjusted and heated leather seats and a memory position for the electric seats and mirrors

Coupé Phase 2

edit

Exterior was mostly unchanged on the coupé. Side turnlight was the first update and new rims and a new front bumper was added later on.

Interior was updated in the same manner as the saloon and estate with updated dashboard and instrument panel and colours.

Technical updates also followed the saloon/estate. But the engine range grew to four with the addition of the 2.2 petrol and 2.2HDi, the latter with Brembo front brakes.[7][8]

 
Peugeot 406 Coupé (2003 facelift)

Awards

edit

The 406 was awarded 1997 What Car? Car of the Year, as well as 1997 and 2001 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year. It was also awarded Semperit Irish Car of the Year for 1997, however, it lost out by a narrow margin of 15 points in the 1996 European Car of the Year award to the Fiat Bravo/Brava.

Motorsport

edit
 
BTCC Peugeot 406 built to Super Touring regulations.

Laurent Aïello won the 1997 ADAC Deutsche Super Touren Wagen-Cup driving a Peugeot 406 for Peugeot Esso. The 406 was also used in the British Touring Car Championship between 1996 and 2004.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Davide Arcangeli : deux œuvres majeures en héritage". stationhaxo.fr. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
  2. ^ "PEUGEOT's 406 range will arrive with a spectacular car launch campaign in Britain next year. | Motor Trader". 2015-04-02. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  3. ^ a b "PRODUZIONE COMPLESSIVA" (PDF). pininfarina.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  4. ^ "Peugeot 406 | Used Car Tests | Car Reviews". Auto Express. 2003-06-17. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  5. ^ "Record Drives". FuelAcademy. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
  6. ^ "Peugeot - Fuel Economy World Records". Peugeot NZ. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  7. ^ a b c "406 Coupe Owners Club". 406coupeclub.org. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Peugeot | Auto Catalog Archive - Brochure pdf download". 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  9. ^ Peugeot - 406 - Personnalisation Carrosserie et Toit Ouvrant 406 (1996), retrieved 2023-08-27
  10. ^ Peugeot 406 - Présentation complète officielle, retrieved 2023-08-27
  11. ^ a b c d "Service Box". public.servicebox.peugeot.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  12. ^ "Reference 1997". Retrieved 2011-10-23.
  13. ^ "Reference 2001". Retrieved 2011-10-23.
  14. ^ "Official Peugeot 406 2001 safety rating". www.euroncap.com. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
edit
  NODES
design 6
Done 2