Peugeot 406 Coupe 2.2 HDi Pack
Content
But not only man, all living nature grows old with him, even the mountains change, and nothing in this world lasts forever. Not to mention what man created, including cars.
But in that humble moment in history, from yesterday to today, from car model to model, it still seems that some form could be "eternal." Pininfarina, the master of hard ATV motions, is already one of the possible guarantees for this. For seven years now, the 406 Coupé has been battling a time that, in most cases, mercilessly erases the creases from most automotive products.
The Peugeot 406 Coupé cannot compete with the much more expensive and prestigious Ferrari 456, but the similarity in numbering is great. Both look like real coupes with a classic design, both exude elegant sportiness. Of course, Peugeot has one nice advantage: it is much closer to the average person and therefore may be more interesting to him.
To make it even more interesting, they provided for a mild “restyling” of the exterior, which only the keen eye of a connoisseur notices, and the drive of the machine, which in practice belongs to him much more than it might seem only from paper. . A modern turbodiesel has a volume of 2 liters, 2-valve technology and a common rail injection system. The driver (and passengers) are not destined to suffer from awkward cabin shaking and unloved and, above all, inelegant noise, since the cabin is well isolated from engine “disturbances”.
But he loves what turbo diesels boldly do: torque! That's a maximum of 314 Newton meters at 2000 rpm, and whatever gear is chosen, it pulls well from 1500 rpm. At the other end of the tachometer, there is no sports entertainment: the red square starts at 5000, the engine spins up to 4800, but for smart driving (economical, engine friendly, but also very fast) it is enough if the needle stops at 4300 rpm. It is also the value at which this coupe reaches its top speed (210 kilometers per hour), which means that cruising speed can also be very high. And at the same time the average speed of movement.
So, the Peugeot 406 Coupé may be very fast, but that's where sportiness in the full sense of the word ends. The ride is soft and light, so there is nothing sporty harshness, and the driving position is not sporty racing; thanks to its wide adjustment possibilities (mainly electricity) it can be very good, but it does not allow you to take a vertical position next to the ring at the ideal distance from the pedals and handlebars. Anyone who has ever driven a Peugeot will know exactly what I'm talking about.
In Paris, they did their best to instill Baha'i feeling - in the good sense of the word. the black leather on the seats (as well as the doors and the console between the seats) gives a great feel to the touch, as well as the plastic that seems to be of good quality. Even the view of the rear seats is such that you want to check them out; the knees and head will quickly run out of space, accessing them also requires some exercise, but the seating comfort is still great.
The fact that the 406 Coupé is a real coupe will not only be noticed (felt) by the rear passengers, but it is also impossible not to notice the exceptional flatness of the windshield of the front seats. And of course: the doors are long, heavy, the spring in them is also quite stiff, so it will not be easy to open them with one finger, and getting out of a low car in a cramped parking lot is not at all easy. ... But the coupe also has drawbacks.
Buying such a car includes a beautiful set of equipment that makes the driver's and passengers' cabin as comfortable as possible, although it is completely separated by details. True, despite all the equipment, the leather and the prevailing black color (broken with elements of metallic appearance) in the lower part of the 406 Coupé's cabin is not as sinfully beautiful on the inside as on the outside, but the usability and ergonomics do not suffer from this.
From here to the ride. A cold engine quickly overheats, shakes slightly and runs, for the first few moments one could even hear that it was a diesel engine. But he quickly calms down. However, the engine is also considered the best part of the mechanics. The gearbox shifts nicely and dutifully, but the lever is too soft for a sporty feel and doesn't provide enough shifting feedback.
The chassis was also a bit disappointing: it doesn't gently swallow short bumps and pits, and while the road position is very good and secure in almost the entire area, the rear axle can irritate a more demanding driver on the verge of physical boundaries. ... Its reaction is difficult to predict, and all the good feeling of good driving is dissipated during very fast sports driving. Then, at times, a very restrictive ESP breaks in (which can be turned off) and the braking BAS (a device that increases the braking effect in critical circumstances) is not at all friendly (good) driver.
But if you don't take on extreme performance tests, the 406 Coupé HDi will give you a lot of driving pleasure and ultimately fuel economy. The trip computer might even promise you (otherwise unverified!) 1500 kilometers, but on the other hand, it can also be economical when operated with the accelerator pedal raw. Even in our test conditions, we did not even think about refilling the first 600 kilometers, we drove 700 of them easily, and with some caution we drove as much as 1100 kilometers with a full tank. Well, we were ignoble.
Nothing is left out in slapping the table and sovereignly saying it's a great car. A little here, a little there, and it's mostly a matter of personal taste. However, it is undeniable that few people do not look at the 406 Coupé. The eternity of its form is what attracts it the most.
Vinko Kernc
Photo: Aleš Pavletič.
Peugeot 406 Coupe 2.2 HDi Pack
Basic data
| Sales: | Peugeot Slovenia doo |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 28.922,55 € |
| Test model cost: | 29.277,25 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 98kW (133 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 10,0 with |
| Maximum speed: | 210 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 8,7l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - direct injection diesel - displacement 2179 cm3 - maximum power 98 kW (133 hp) at 4000 rpm - maximum torque 314 Nm at 2000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | The engine is driven by the front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 215/55 ZR 16 (Michelin Pilot HX). |
| Capacity: | Top speed 208 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 10,9 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,8 / 4,9 / 6,4 l / 100 km. Trunk volume measured with Samsonite standard 5-pack AM kit (278,5 L total): |
| Transportation and suspension: | Coupe - 2 doors, 4 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspensions, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear individual suspensions, cross rails, longitudinal rails, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling) rear wheels - rolling diameter 12,0 m - fuel tank 70 l. |
| Mass: | Empty vehicle 1410 kg - permissible total weight 1835 kg - permissible roof load 80 kg. |
| Box: | Trunk volume measured with Samsonite standard 5-pack AM kit (278,5 L total): 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 2 × suitcase (68,5 l) |
Overall rating (329/420)
The Peugeot 406 Coupé is already a seemingly eternal young man, a beautiful coupe with a classic design that impresses with equipment, engine, performance and fuel consumption. Such a car is hardly much better, only the position on the road at the limit is nothing to be proud of.
Exterior (14/15)
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful products in the automotive industry. Despite the years!
Interior (104/140)
The coupe is a bit cramped, but still safe in the front seats. Just the middle position behind the wheel.
Engine, transmission (36
/ 40)A technically more advanced engine suits him well. Slightly long fifth gear of the transmission.
Driving performance (75
/ 95)The car is pleasantly manageable, except in the extreme. Sharp ESP and BAS, sometimes uncomfortable suspension.
Performance (29/35)
Diesel accelerates well and is perfectly maneuverable. Travel speed can be very high without damaging the engine.
Security (35/45)
The braking distance is short and the braking is always reliable. Poor rear visibility, "only" four airbags.
Economy
Fuel consumption is not bad, even modest with careful driving. Good price, average warranty and loss of value.
We praise and reproach
appearance, timelessness of lines
engine
consumption
interior materials, especially leather
legs
meters
last on physical boundaries
heavy door, access to the back bench
