Peugeot 406
| Company type | Model of car |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Peugeot 405 |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Successor | Peugeot 407 |
Area served | Worldwide (notably Europe, United Kingdom, Australia, Thailand) |
| Products | Sedan, station wagon, coupé |
The Peugeot 406 is a midsize family vehicle manufactured by the French carmaker Peugeot between 1995 and 2004. Available in sedan, station wagon, and coupé body styles, it came equipped with a variety of petrol and turbodiesel powertrains. This model succeeded the Peugeot 405 and was eventually succeeded by the Peugeot 407.
Phase 1
The design of the Peugeot 406 drew heavily from its predecessor, the 405, which was phased out following the 406’s debut in September 1995. Production of the 405 ceased in Europe by 1997, with the final estate versions discontinued. Sales in the United Kingdom commenced in February 1996.
The initial coupé design was originally proposed to Fiat by Pininfarina around 1990 but was declined, prompting Fiat to develop their own coupe independently.
The 406 found considerable success within the UK market, particularly gaining traction in fleet sales, with a significant share purchased for use as company vehicles and taxis.
In August 2002, a Peugeot 406 HDi set a global record for the longest distance achieved on a single fuel tank, traveling 2,348 km from Melbourne to Rockhampton across Australia. Additionally, knock-down kit assemblies were produced at Yontrakit Industrial Factory located in Bangkok, Thailand.
Features
Early trim options included SR, ST, and the premium SV level, offering sophisticated features such as electrically adjustable seats with memory functions, rain-sensing wipers, electronically controlled variable suspension, speed-sensitive power steering, and rear windshield wipers on sedan variants. A factory-installed body kit was also offered.
Suspension
The front suspension utilized an inverted MacPherson strut setup. At the rear, Peugeot’s distinctive multilink RS10 system was employed, comprising three transverse control arms and one longitudinal arm. The RS10 system improved cornering stability by increasing negative toe on the outer wheel during turns and enhancing negative camber under emergency braking.
Powertrains
Petrol engines ranged from a 1.6L 8-valve unit to a turbocharged 2.0L 8-valve engine and extended up to a 3.0L (2946cc) V6 with 24 valves. Diesel choices included a 1.9L 8-valve turbodiesel, a 2.1L 12-valve turbodiesel, and a 2.0L HDi with an 8-valve configuration.
Coupé
Introduced at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, the two-door coupé was crafted and produced by Italian design firm Pininfarina. Engine options included a 2.0L four-cylinder, a 3.0L V6 petrol engine, and from mid-2001 onward, a 2.2L HDi diesel variant. A total of 107,633 coupés were manufactured.
While sharing its platform and suspension components with the sedan and estate models, the coupé incorporated enhancements for superior handling: its track was widened by 16mm through coupé-specific wheels and an additional 36mm at the rear via modified spindles and control arms. The ride height was also reduced by 16mm. V6 versions featured a front strut brace measuring 26mm in diameter and Brembo front disc brakes sized at 305mm with four-piston calipers.
The interior mirrored that of the sedan and estate models with identical dashboard layouts, center consoles, and steering wheels; all versions included a five-gauge instrument cluster adorned with chrome rings.
Engines
| 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 (120 lb⋅ft) / 4000 | 1999–2004 |
| 2.0 | XU10 J4R (RFV) | 4 / 16 | 1998 cc | 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) / 5500 | 180 N⋅m (130 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 | 2231cc | 158 PS (116 kW; 156 hp) /5650 | 217 N⋅m (160 lb⋅ft) /3900 | 1999–2003 |
| ' 2.9 V6 ' | ES9 J4 (XFZ) | 6/24 | 2946cc | 190 PS (140 kW; 190 hp) /5500 | 267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) /4000 | 1997-2000 |
| ' 2.9 V6 ' | ES9 J4S (XFX) | 6/24 | 2946cc | 207 PS (152 kW; 204 hp) /6000 | 280 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) /3750 | 1999-2003 |
| ' 1.9 TD ' | XUD9 TE/Y | 4/8 | 1905cc | 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) /4000 | 196 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) /2250 | 1995-1999 |
| ' 2.0 HDi ' | DW10 TD (RHY) | 4/8 | 1997cc | 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) /4000 | 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) /1900 | 1999-2003 |
| ' 2.0 HDi ' | DW10 ATED (RHZ) | 4/8 | 1997cc | 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) /4000 | 250 N⋅m (180 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 | 2088cc | 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) /4300 | 250 N⋅m (180 lb⋅ft) /2000 | 1995-1999 |
| ' 2.2 HDi ' | DW12 TED4 (4HX) | 4/16 | 2179cc | 133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp) /4000 | 314 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) /2000 | 2001-2003 |
Phase 2
The updated 406 saloon, released in February 1999, incorporated enhancements in safety, structural integrity, and performance, which elevated its Euro NCAP safety rating from one to three stars.
A fresh generation of engines, the PSA EW/DW series, delivered increased power, torque, and fuel economy alongside improved refinement, particularly with quieter diesel variants. The petrol range introduced a direct-injection HPi engine and replaced the 2.0-litre turbo with a naturally aspirated 2.2-litre petrol engine featuring VCT. Diesel versions were equipped with a revamped cooling system that included a slimmer radiator and a relocated intercooler.
Exterior modifications encompassed redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as updated lighting elements. Many saloon and estate variants adopted 16-inch wheels to match those on coupé models.
Inside, upgrades targeted comfort and noise reduction. Automated digital climate control became standard on most variants, complemented by a multifunction display showing warnings, trip information, radio data, and external temperature. An auto-dimming rearview mirror was also introduced.
By mid-2001, the 406 integrated the PSA-Renault developed VAN bus, recognizable by advanced steering column stalks that combined radio and cruise control functions. Additionally, a new 2.2HDi 16-valve diesel engine featuring a DPF was added to the lineup.
The premium Executive trim level included luxury amenities such as a ten-speaker JBL audio system, electrically adjustable heated leather seats, and memory functions for both seats and mirrors.
Gallery
Coupé Phase 2
The coupé underwent only subtle exterior revisions, including refreshed side indicators, new wheel designs, and an updated front bumper. Interior updates paralleled those of the saloon and estate models, featuring a redesigned dashboard and instrument cluster along with new color options.
The engine selection expanded to four units with the addition of the 2.2 petrol and 2.2 HDi engines; the latter was fitted with Brembo front brakes for enhanced stopping power.
Awards
The Peugeot 406 received notable accolades within the automotive sector, securing the 1997 What Car? Car of the Year award as well as the Caravan Club's Towcar of the Year honors in both 1997 and 2001. It also won the 1997 Semperit Irish Car of the Year award and narrowly missed out on the 1996 European Car of the Year, finishing just fifteen points behind the Fiat Bravo/Brava.
Motorsport
The 406 proved its motorsport capabilities with Laurent Aïello capturing the 1997 ADAC Deutsche Super Touren Wagen-Cup title driving a Peugeot 406 for Peugeot Esso. Furthermore, this model competed in the British Touring Car Championship between 1996 and 2004 under Super Touring regulations.