The debut of the Peugeot 406 took place in October 1995. Peugeot stylists have combined a classic style with elements of modern design, and a beautiful and elegant car has turned out. Smooth lines, expressive recognizable design, dynamic silhouette, powerful low-trimmed front part of the body, recessed bumpers, complete the picture of almond-shaped headlights. A few years later, the Peugeot 406 became one of the most popular representatives of the business class in Europe.
Retaining the features of the corporate style, Peugeot 406 is larger than the previous model 405. It turned out one of the largest middle-class sedans - aggressive, but elegant and elegant. The front view looks particularly impressive: because of the flat hood and broad gauge, it seems that the car is standing on the road like a glove. Another distinctive achievement of the Peugeot 406 is a brilliant combination of comfort and safety. The car's interior combines high comfort and ergonomic design.
Neither the powerful body of the body with the programmed deformation zones, the built-in frame of the steel beams under the front panel, nor the unique integrated system of protection against side impacts prevented the interior splendor of the interior design. Ideally developed from the standpoint of ergonomic controls and control devices, a wide range of seat adjustments and a spacious cabin make the Peugeot 406 extremely convenient for the driver and passengers. Peugeot 406 was offered in three levels of equipment: the basic SR (most common), ST with velor trim, air conditioning and power accessories, as well as the top version of the SL with leather interior and climate control.
In the fall of 1996, a respectable wagon Break appeared under the same index. Beautiful and roomy (the volume of the trunk with the rear seats folded in 1741 liters), the station wagon was perfectly suited for the needs of practical Europeans. In 1997, the public was introduced to the Peugeot 406 coupe, the design of which was created, according to the good tradition of Peugeot, together with the famous Italian atelier Pininfarina. One of the main features of the coupe is variable suspension stiffness. The driver has the opportunity to independently vary it using a special button on the control panel. This system gave the coupe equally reliable behavior at all speeds.
Under the hood of the Peugeot 406 coupe is a V6 of 3 liters capacity of 167 hp. Gamma powertrains consists of engines inherited from the Peugeot 405 and new, embodied the latest development of Peugeot minders. There are two petrol engines to choose from: a 1.8-liter new generation (option with a catalytic converter of exhaust gases) and a well-proven 2-liter / 135 hp engine. Both units are equipped with a 16-valve gas distribution mechanism, which has significantly improved their performance.
Diesel engines are also presented in two versions: a modern and economical 1.9-liter engine with gas turbine supercharging and a technically advanced 2.1-liter engine with 110 hp, which is equipped with a turbocharger, three valves for each cylinder and an electronic fuel injection system management. In 2000, Peugeot 406 restyled. Modernization came in handy, as sales began to fall, and the new model had to provide the expected increase in orders. Work on the new version was also carried out in collaboration with Pininfarina. Differences updated Peugeot 406 from its predecessor can not be called catchy, but design innovations are still present.
A new optics has appeared: more elongated headlamps with a lens of wear-resistant plastic and a “crystal” type reflector, fully red dual tail lights, fog lights as standard. Style and expressiveness adds a black fine-mesh grille. Side moldings emphasizes chrome strip. Bumpers made from more elastic materials have become more rounded. The feeling of solidity gave the car an enlarged company logo in the center of the grille, as well as becoming a more convex hood. The front and rear protective pads increased the length of the upgraded version by 4 cm, bringing it to 4.6 m.
It should also be added that 15-inch wheels were now installed on all modifications of Peugeot 406 without exception. Positive changes have affected the interior design. The main innovation of the front console is a large display of the on-board computer, which displays warnings about system malfunctions, low fuel reserves, open doors, etc., and the clock, calendar, and thermometer readings are constantly present. The driver's seat now has adjustable tilt angle and in the SV configuration the electric drive has become the standard. A third headrest was added at the back, as well as a protective rear window curtain.
Basic equipment includes power steering, central locking with remote control, immobilizer, on-board computer, front and rear power windows, climate control, fog lights, heated front seats, audio system, exterior mirrors with electric drive and heated, rain sensor and alloy wheels. Spacious, comfortable and ergonomic interior is ready to take up to 5 people. Thanks to the rear seats folding in parts, the 406th model has a rather impressive trunk in terms of volume. A high level of active and passive safety is provided by ABS, which is standard, as well as front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger. Front suspension - McPherson.
The rear suspension is fully independent, spring-loaded, multi-link, with passive steering and with progressive characteristics. It has an enviable reliability and durability. Major changes have occurred in the design of the brake system. Bearing in mind that the rear drum brakes were the weakest link in the first phase of the model, the designers of the company installed a disc in the “standard”. In addition to the updated body and interior trim, the 406th received more advanced, from a technical point of view, power units. Peugeot 406 has become equipped with a 137 l petrol engine EW10.
with., as well as diesel with direct fuel injection HDI. As for the gasoline engine, having acquired 5 additional forces and having noticeably relieved, he allowed the car to feel on the track much more confidently than before. Inheriting the cutting-edge ideas embodied in the 406 model, the new Peugeot 406 retained its high-class image. The changes that have appeared only underlined and decorated the outstanding qualities of the car, and the design innovations gave an even greater elegance.