PEUGEOT 406 1995 test drive - 1999 sedan

French dress of Italian cut

- editors of Motor magazine? We would like to offer you for the Peugeot 406 Coupe V6 test.

 

It is difficult to refuse such a proposal. All the same, the star of the last world automobile show, with a body from one of the couturiers of automobile fashion, is the Italian studio Pininfarina. And here she is. It stands on an ordinary Moscow street. Beauty - you can’t take the eye. Yes, her captivating forms will make the heart of any connoisseur of automotive beauty bend rapidly. Gradually, I come to my senses and begin to think about the fact that it is in my pocket that the keys are lying, and in the wallet - documents for this bright yellow miracle.

 

The car is really beautiful. Still, all these modern computer technologies and new-fangled stylistic techniques are secondary. The main thing is the hand of the master. The integrity, continuity, harmony - so for many years it is possible to characterize everything that has come out of the pen of designers of the leading Italian studio.

 

In the mid -sixties, it was the Pininfarina studio that introduced the body of a sports car, the proportions and shaping of which so far are an example to follow. It was the legendary Ferrari Dino of 1965. Many modern sports cars resemble something this famous concept car.

 

Peugeot 406 Coupe was no exception.

 

It will be useful to say that Peugeot and Pininfarina’s cooperation began in the very sixties, and one of the first samples of joint work on the design was the Peugeot 504 sedan, released by a millions of circulation and conquered numerous sympathies. Since then, it has become a tradition that the body of Peugeot cars have been designed simultaneously by Pininfarina designers and specialists of the Peugeot style center, and therefore it is not surprising that the new sedan and coupe on its base have much in common. There are, of course, differences.

 

The Peugeot 406 Coupe differs from the sedan not only in the shape of the body, but also the overall dimensions, which is logical for cars with initially different purpose. The compartment is longer, wider and lower. A smoothly subservient roof line passing into the lid of the trunk with characteristic pockets on the sides of the rear window, as well as highly inclined front racks, make the silhouette dynamic. The visual center of gravity of the lateral projection is shifted to the upper edge of the windshield. The transition from the lower edge of the side glass to the sidewall of the body is made in the form of a small shelf, which stretches from the headlights to the visor above the rear lights and sets the tone for the appearance of the car.

 

The hood connector line has become a logical continuation of the upper edge of the doors that do not have glass frames. The hood seems massive, this sensation is enhanced by narrow headlights, a gap for air between them and a large proprietary emblem - a shield and a lion standing on the hind legs. This gives the front part of the car solidity, and in combination with the predatory mouth of the air intake located on the bumper, creates an easily memorable image filled with hidden inner strength. The similarity of the body of the coupe and the sedan is clearly visible. The lanterns and trunk lid have undergone minor changes, preserving the stylistic unity with similar details of the base car.

 

Peugeot 406 Coupe is unique in that its production is almost completely located in Italy. The main manufacturer is the body developer, so on the sidewalls below the waist line in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear wheels and the inscription Pininfarina, which looks like an autograph of a well -worked team of like -minded people, flaunts in the cabin.

 

Looking at external splendor, we completely forgot about the interior. Open a wide (1.3 m), a slightly massive door. As soon as the door handle was slightly pulled, the side glass sank slightly, leaving the cloth with the outer edge of the doorway sealing, providing the door to make a wide gesture that invites you to go inside. And here we are in place. The door slammed gently, almost complete silence came.

 

The salon makes an impression richly and with the taste of the finished office. The main material is black skin and plastic plastic plastic with it. All seats are developed by Pininfarina and manufactured at the RECARO company. The driver's seat is very convenient, moderately soft, equipped with electrified adjustments of the length, height and angle of the back with memorization of fixed positions.

 

French cars have always been distinguished by good ergonomics, and this one is no exception. Sitting behind the wheel is true pleasure. All controls - a steering wheel with a rim, covered with skin and an elegantly built -in miniature airbag, a gear lever with a tips made of polished aluminum and leather, and pedals are located very conveniently. Torpedo in shape resembles a similar part of the sedan, the combination of devices contains five round scales with a chrome metal edging.

 

To get into the rear seats, just pull the lever on the back of any front. Bending it, the seat will leave with the help of an electric drive. So that everything falls into place, it is enough to return the back to the previous position - the automation will make the rest. It is also convenient here, but if people are in front of the front, then the legs are not enough, which is excusable for the compartment, since this car is more likely for two.

 

Under the hood - a three -liter V -shaped six -cylinder engine. Power - 194 hp The motor is covered with a plastic lid with three elegant cuts. The upper supports of the front suspension of Macpherson, connected by amplifier, are clearly visible.

 

When looking at the trunk, it immediately becomes clear that the compartment is not suitable for serious cargo transportation. But in the back of the rear seat there is a window for the transportation of long objects - for example, skis.

 

By typing the code of the built -in immobilizer, we start the engine. At idle, nothing gives his work - noise insulation is so good. Turn on the first, touch. Touching is smooth, the first time - due to the good clarity and accuracy of the lever of the gearbox and the sensitive adhesion drive.

 

The amplifier allows you to rotate the steering wheel with one finger, so it was not difficult to leave the parking of the sidewalk. We calmly go on. Coupe solidity acts on drivers of other cars, and they involuntarily part, letting us forward.

 

As soon as it became more spacious around, the leg itself crushed the gas pedal itself, and the reaction of the car was not long in coming. The engine seemed to be waiting for the command to demonstrate their abilities - a powerful and confident jerk from almost the lowest revolutions. The dynamics is good and fully consistent with appearance.

 

Instantly we rest on the back of cars weaving in front - it seems that they froze in place. The brake test gave more than a positive result - they vigorously and smoothly reduced the speed without repeating, so the ABS remained out of work. To be honest, we were already sure that everything would be in order with the brakes - on the front wheels are four -piston hard brackets with the inscription Brembo, which is visible through a six -spoke alloy wheeled disk.

 

In the movement, the steering wheel has acquired the response necessary for the accurate control of the car by the effort and corner of the rotation of the controlled wheels. It seems that the steering wheel and gas can be changed by the trajectory of movement at any time and direct the compartment anywhere, while the machine inspires a sense of confident and safe comfort. And this is on winter studded tires - on asphalt! In the turns of the Peugeot 406 Coupe, it is excellent, clearly prescribing the arc specified by the steering wheel without any hint of disruption of the wheels.

 

When we first ended up in the cabin, we paid attention to the suspension operating mode switch, located on the torpedo on the right hand from the driver. Two modes - soft, more comfortable and hard, for lovers of sports driving. Of course, we stopped on the second option. The suspension tells about small irregularities with a slight shake and noise accompaniment, a meeting with a more significant relief leads to vertical movements of the body, but still far away. On the paving stones, we soften and smoothly float over the road. In the turns, the increased corners of the body roll became noticeable, and in general there was a driving softness inherent in large solid cars. This (in combination with the ability to change the characteristics of the suspension damping) is even more impressive.

 

It is time to say goodbye. Peugeot 406 Coupe V6 was a success. French engineers and Italian designers once again showed the whole world how to work.

 

Nowadays, when the optimality of production is at the forefront, such cars are rare.

 

SPECIAL OPINION

Alexey Vasiliev, Miller Pilot, champion of Russian Ring Rounds in class Tourism

 

Workplace of the driver

Comfortable. Surprised the massiveness of the doors.

 

Landing

Comfortable. All governing bodies within reach.

 

Seat

Quite tough, but this does not cause discomfort. Good lateral support.

 

Review

In general, I liked it. Everything is visible, but it is difficult to feel the front edge of the car.

 

Steering wheel

Comfortable. The hub with a pillow of safety is successfully arranged, it is almost imperceptible.

 

Pedals

Everything is fine, without comments.

 

Box lever

Comfortably lies in the hand.

 

The overall impression of the salon

Atypical for Peugeot, everything has changed and has become modern.

 

Suspension

I liked the adjustment of stiffness. In the rigid version, it is difficult to ride at low speed due to pits and irregularities. In the soft - everything is fine, the suspension becomes completely different. It is better to accelerate up to 60 km/h softly and then switch to hard.

 

Engine and box

The motor is good, but more suitable for the sedan - for the compartment, its power is not enough. If the one to whom Coupe V6 is affected by pockets is not going to rush around the city, then the car will be just right to him. The first gear is stretched compared to the rest. Together, the gearboxes are well selected.

 

Controllability

I liked it. A sensitive and strict car. The demolition of the front wheels was observed, which is strange with such a massive car, but this may be explained by the fact that they went on studded rubber on asphalt. However, everything is controlled.

 

Dynamics

Good, soft, flat during acceleration and braking.

 

Brakes

Good ones.

 

Bliss

In terms of characteristics, this is, in general, an ordinary car. You feel the buzz from the fact that you are sitting in a new machine of exquisite design.

 

General impression of the car

I liked it. From the point of view of the driver is an ordinary car, but with a very bright external surroundings. Representative car of a sports class.

 

I would recommend it to people who are accustomed to travel calmly, confidently, solid - and sometimes quickly.

 

Sergey Ivanov
 
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 1/1998]