Peugeot 405
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | March 26, 1810 in France |
| Founder | Armand Peugeot |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Carlos Tavares (CEO) |
| Products | Automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles |
| Owner | PSA Group (now part of Stellantis) |
| Website | www |
The Peugeot 405 is a mid-size family vehicle manufactured by the French company Peugeot between 1987 and 1997 across Europe, with licensed assembly continuing in Iran by Iran Khodro until 2020. It earned the distinguished European Car of the Year title in 1988, achieving a record number of votes. Approximately two and a half million units were sold globally during its production run, available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations as saloon and estate variants. By early 2020, its production duration exceeding thirty years positioned it among the top twenty longest-produced single-generation automobiles worldwide.
Designed by the acclaimed studio Pininfarina, the Peugeot 405 shares its underlying platform with the Citroën BX but does not feature the BX’s hydropneumatic suspension system except on certain four-wheel-drive editions. The car was equipped with PSA’s TU and XU petrol engines along with XUD diesel powertrains. Significantly, the Peugeot 405 represented Peugeot’s final model sold in the United States from 1988 to 1991, including the high-performance Mi16 version.
Offered in both saloon and estate body styles with front-wheel or four-wheel drive, the range did not include a coupé model. However, two unique two-door Peugeot 405 Turbo 16 prototypes were created specifically for motorsport, differing from the standard T16.
History
In July 1987, Peugeot introduced ten different versions of the 405 saloon for the 1988 model year, with continental European deliveries commencing in October 1987 and UK availability beginning January 1988. This model replaced the long-standing Peugeot 305 and also succeeded the discontinued Chrysler Alpine and Talbot Solara lines. The smaller 305 was phased out shortly afterward, while production of the larger Peugeot 505 ceased a few years later. Following 1989, Peugeot’s flagship became the larger 605.
The estate variant was launched in May 1988 and reached UK dealerships by October that same year. Unlike previous generations, no coupé version was produced. Right-hand drive models were assembled at the former Rootes/Chrysler facility in Ryton near Coventry, whereas left-hand drive versions were manufactured in Sochaux, France.
Engine choices ranged from four-cylinder petrol units sized between 1.4 to 1.9 liters producing outputs from 65 to 160 horsepower. Diesel options were introduced in 1988, including naturally aspirated (1.9L) and turbocharged (1.8L) variants. By 1989, Peugeot had achieved production of its half-millionth 405, reaching one million units by 1990 when the BE1 transmission was superseded by the BE3 gearbox.
In 1991, enhancements were made to improve cabin features such as the dashboard layout, steering wheel design, and noise insulation. The Phase II update arrived in 1992 featuring a redesigned boot for enhanced accessibility, revised rear lighting elements, and an updated interior dashboard. Production numbers exceeded 1.5 million units by this stage.
The saloon version of the 405 was phased out in autumn 1995 with the arrival of its replacement, the Peugeot 406. An airbag option had been available since 1994 and became standard equipment on left-hand drive Mi16 and T16 models. The estate variant of the Peugeot 406 debuted in early 1997, marking the conclusion of European manufacturing for the 405 after ten years.
The Peugeot 405 ranked among Europe’s top-selling larger family cars during its era, particularly popular in France and the United Kingdom where it placed eighth in sales for both 1992 and 1993. It also found considerable success in Thailand following eased restrictions on imported completely built-up (CBU) vehicles during the late 1980s.
Manufacturing
Conceived in France, the Peugeot 405 was produced across several nations:
- Europe: manufactured between 1987 and 1997 at the Sochaux facility in France and the Ryton factory in the United Kingdom.
- Zimbabwe: assembled by Quest until 2002.
- Egypt: produced under license by Wagih Abaza.
- Iran: built by Iran Khodro from 1991 through 2020.
- Chile: manufactured by Franco-Chilena in Los Andes, including the STI Phase II variant.
- Argentina: various sedan models, including diesel versions, were assembled at Villa Bosch Peugeot plant from 1992 to 1999; sales exceeded 500,000 units, reflecting significant market acceptance.
- Poland: approximately 4,000 units were assembled at FSC in Lublin between 1992 and 1995.
- Taiwan: produced by Yu-Tien Motors from 1989 until the company’s bankruptcy in 1995 halted production.
- Thailand: manufactured by YMC Assembly Co., Ltd. from 1989 to 1997.
- Azerbaijan: produced since 2019 by Khazar Iran Khodro at the Neftchala Industrial District.
Versions
The Peugeot 405 lineup included three petrol and two diesel four-cylinder engines, customized to meet diverse export requirements. The 1.6-litre sedan achieved a low drag coefficient of , while other variants reached up to . The entry-level 1.4-litre (1,360 cc) engine generated at 5,600 rpm and was paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
The 1.6-litre (1,580 cc) powerplant delivered at 6,000 rpm coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox. The 1.9-litre (1,905 cc) engine was available with a five-speed manual or an optional automatic transmission on lower-output versions.
The eight-valve 1905 cc engine came in two power outputs: either or , depending on model year and market specifications. The Mi16 variant was equipped with a 16-valve engine producing at 6,500 rpm and capable of reaching a top speed of ; its catalytic converter-equipped version offered and a slightly reduced maximum speed.
In 1992, the model range underwent a facelift that introduced structural enhancements for increased torsional stiffness along with an interior redesign influenced by the Peugeot 605. Exterior modifications included bonded windshields and updated taillight designs.
April 1993 marked the debut of the T16 model featuring a turbocharged XU10J4TE 2.0-litre engine equipped with a water-cooled chargecooler and permanent four-wheel drive distributing power at a ratio of approximately 53/47%. This engine produced at standard boost levels and could deliver up to during a limited overboost period of 45 seconds. A total of 1,061 units were manufactured, with ten allocated to the National Gendarmerie. Notably, no right-hand drive versions were ever developed.
Diesel choices comprised a naturally aspirated 1.9-litre engine producing , alongside a turbocharged 1.8-litre unit generating .
Britain
At its UK launch in January 1988, the Peugeot 405 was offered with carbureted 1.6 and 1.9 petrol engines as well as a fuel-injected 1.9 petrol variant, complemented by both petrol and diesel options.
- Late 1988: Introduction of the performance-oriented Mi16 model, estate body style, and the addition of a turbocharged 1.8 diesel engine.
- Late 1989: Launch of four-wheel-drive variants including Mi16x4 and GRiX4 models.
- 1990: Dashboard design update implemented.
- 1992: Interior refreshed; the previous 1.9 petrol replaced by a catalyzed 2.0-litre engine option.
- 1994: Power steering and remote central locking became standard equipment; driver's airbag introduced for enhanced safety.
- 1995: Executive and Quasar trim levels added to the lineup.
- 1996: The saloon was succeeded by the Peugeot 406; however, the estate version received updates and remained available until being replaced by the Peugeot 406 estate in 1997.
Additional engine sizes included options of 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 litres; trim levels ranged across GE, GL, GLx4, GLD, GLDT, GR, GTXi, GTXDT, Le Mans, LX, Mi, Style D/DT, Quasar, SRi/DT, and STi/DT configurations.
North America
From late 1988, three variations of the Peugeot 405 sedan were available in the North American market: the 1.9-liter DL and S models, each delivering 110 hp, with the S featuring leather upholstery, alongside the Mi16 version producing 150 hp. Additionally, the DL and S trims were offered as Sportswagon station wagons. Peugeot discontinued its presence in both the United States and Canada following the 1991 model year.
Iran
Iran Khodro manufactures several models derived from the Peugeot 405 platform:
- Peugeot Pars (also referred to as Peugeot Persia): features a refreshed design with a redesigned front fascia and updated rear styling.
- Peugeot RD and ROA: these rear-wheel-drive variants integrate the 405 body with mechanical components sourced from the Paykan; the ROA has been marketed in Middle Eastern countries since 2006.
The Samand, recognized as Iran's "national car," is also built upon the 405 platform, serving as a successor to the Paykan (itself originating from the Hillman Hunter). This lineage is connected through Peugeot’s acquisition of Chrysler’s European operations in 1979.
Production of Peugeot 405 models by Iran Khodro includes:
- 405 GL/GLX: equipped with 1.6L and 1.9L carbureted engines; production ended in 2002.
- 405 GLX: powered by a 1.8L fuel-injected engine; gasoline variants ceased production in 2020, while the SLX model fitted with the TU5 engine was discontinued in 2022 at the Tabriz plant.
- 405 SLX: features a 1.6L PSA TU5 powertrain, an upgraded dashboard, two airbags, and ABS brakes; manufacturing stopped in 2022.
- Peugeot Pars: a contemporary facelifted model offered with several engine configurations, including 1.8L and 1.9L eight-valve units and 1.6L and 1.8L sixteen-valve PSA TU5 engines.
- Peugeot RD/ROA: budget-friendly editions utilizing Hillman Avenger (Paykan) engines within the 405 body shell; production concluded in 2011.
- IKCO Samand family (including Samand and Soren), along with Dena variants (Dena and Dena Plus): these national vehicles are developed on the foundation of the 405 platform.
- IKCO Arisun: a coupe utility vehicle based on the Peugeot 405, produced under Iran Khodro’s brand since 2015.
Motorsport
The competition variant of the 405, known as the rallying 405 Turbo 16 GR, was markedly different from its street-legal counterpart. Designed as a coupé with a mid-engine configuration, it incorporated permanent four wheel drive alongside an electronically controlled center differential, drawing on technology adapted from the 205 T16. At least four examples were constructed for use in hill climb events and the Paris-Dakar rally.
Three of these vehicles are currently housed in the Peugeot museum, while one remains privately owned.
- 1988: Finnish driver Ari Vatanen established a new record at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, an achievement captured in the film Climb Dance. Additionally, Kankkunen and Piironen secured victory at the Paris-Dakar Rally driving the 405 T16 GR.
- 1989: The Vatanen-Ickx pairing triumphed once again at the Paris-Dakar rally.
- 1990: The Vatanen-Berglund duo repeated their success by winning the Paris-Dakar rally for a second consecutive year.
In competitions more closely aligned with production models, racing versions of the Peugeot 405 participated in European touring car racing throughout the early to mid-1990s, notably within both the British Touring Car Championship and French Supertourisme Championship. Although results were modest in Britain, the car achieved championship titles in France during both 1994 and 1995 with driver Laurent Aïello.
Sales and Production
| Year | Global Production | Global Sales | Remarks |
| 2009 | 220,300 | 234,700 | |
| 2010 | 302,200 | 299,400 | |
| 2011 | 282,399 | 270,551 | Cumulative production surpassed 4.5 million units. |
| 2012 | 108,400 | 110,600 | Cumulative production went beyond 4.6 million units. |