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]

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.

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  Peugeot 406 saloon (pre facelift)
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  Peugeot 406 estate (pre facelift)
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  Peugeot 406 Coupé
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  Peugeot 406 Coupé
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  Interior (facelift)

Engines edit

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

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]

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.

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.

•   Media related to Peugeot 406 at Wikimedia Commons
• Peugeot's official website with pictures of concept cars. (French language)
• Replica Build of Taxi 406 Movie car from Taxi films. (English Language)