Car test May 2000 Peugeot 406 Estate - TheAA.com

1 Car testR0028 Peugeot 406 EstateFeaturing V6 Executive automaticWE VE TESTED Peugeot S POPULAR406 with a variety of engines, but havehitherto missed out on the most powerful one,the 24-valve, three-litre V6. The Estate car body has alsomanaged to elude us, so what better excuse forcombining the two in one report? And let s add theoptional automatic transmission for good Estate car bodywork adds 18cm to the 406 s overalllength, but it s all to the benefit of space at the businessend. This makes sense, because occupants are alreadyadequately catered for in the, in this case, classyleather-clad, wood-trimmed fears that the Estate s additional weight (itamounts to about 50kg) will have any serious effect onthe car s performance are quickly dispelled as soon asyou reach an uncongested road and open up this gorgeousV6 motor.

2 Even the power-sapping four-speed automatictransmission appears to do little to inhibit the eager thrustof acceleration, once this quad-cam engine works itsmulti-valve magic. It reels off 30-70mph in a , pressing on to 135mph flat out, while emitting aharmonious howl from under the seems indecently quick for a working wagon albeitan executive one with the power delivery so smoothand the gearchanges almost seamless in their downshifts are nicely timed, too, thankspartly to this transmission s ability to adapt its changepoints to suit one s driving style. But full-bore kickdownchanges can create a flurry of commotion; however, suchunseemly behaviour is eliminated by a more discreetmanual downshift with a quick flick on the selector lever,which slithers smoothly through a serpentine , you can select sport mode and preventtop gear from engaging.

3 This is not only useful on hilly,twisty roads, but gives even more spirited performanceby inducing earlier downchanges and extending upshiftpoints albeit at the cost of more fuel, of drivers will select D and let the gear train take thestrain, enjoying serene, long-legged top gear cruising(when moderate tyre noise is the most audible feature)and the prospect of lower-30s fuel consumption. Atsteady motorway speeds, however (when thetransmission is locked up and no gas-guzzling torqueconverter slip takes place), the three-litre s thirst actuallydiminishes, resulting in about poise and alertness of response of the 406 saloonare retained in the Estate . Its precision of steering and theway it can be hustled round bends and tight turns withMay 2000 Continued on page 3mph3040506070 THROUGHTHEGEARS304050607020 CONSUMPTIONM aximum speedsusing accelerator kickdown2 PERFORMANCEA ccelerationtime in secondsFuel grade: unleaded 95 octane petrolType of use- air conditioning off*mpgIn the city - heavy traffic16In the country - quiet driving31 Typical mpg overall26 Realistic tank range 63 litres/360 miles based on fuel gauge/warning lamp and filling station experience -notnominal tank capacity*with air conditioning switched on, consumption will increase by 2 4% inwinter and 4 8% in summerFOR THE TECHNICALENGINET ypetransverse V6 with alloyblock and heads.

4 Four x = 2946ccPower187bhp at 5500rpmTorque197 lb ft at 4000rpmValvestwo belt-driven overheadcamshafts per bank operating fourvalves per cylinder via hydraulictappetsFuel/ignitionelectronicm ulti-point injection integratedwith programmed distributorlessdirect ignition. 70-litre fuel tankwith low-level warning light anddigital range displayTRANSMISSIONT ypefive-speed manual standard- optional four-speed automaticfitted to test car; front-wheel driveMph per in 4th, in 3rdMEASUREMENTSC entimetresBRAKESP edal feelHandbrakeBehaviour in an emergencyDry road stopping distance from 50mph (with standard ABS)A good-to-average best stop with ABS is about 26m at 15-20kg pedalFade test: pedal load requried for a moderate (34m/.75g) stop:11kg at start of test, 11kg at end of test(Ideal brakes show no change)10m20mDistancePedal load30m_____45 m_____33 m_____26 m (ABS just working)_____26m40m50m60m6kg10kg20kg14kg ( best stop - ABS working fully)CHASSISS uspensionfront: independentby MacPherson damper/strutswith integral coil springs and :threetransverse links, single trailingarms and coil springs.

5 Telescopicdampers and anti-roll bars allroundSteeringrack and pinion withhydraulic power assistance; between full locks. Turningcircle diameters average kerbs, with circlefor one turn of the wheelWheels6 J x 15 alloy with205/60R15W tyres (Michelin PilotPrimacy on test car). Full size(steel) spareBrakesventilated discs front,solid discs rear with ABS and brake forcedistribution standardSAFETY AND SECURITY remote control?auto window closure?central locking?deadlocks?Luggagesecure from interior/hiddenfrom viewDoor lockingSeatbeltsfrontrearheight adjustable, pre-tensioningwith load limiters3 fixed-height lap and diagonalinertia-reelAlarmIgnition switch/immobiliserAirbagsdriverpassenger with deactivate switchHead restraintsfrontrearheight and tilt-adjustable,removable3 height adjustable, removableOther features448 Euro NCAP crash testresults(1997 saloon model)front and side impact ratingPedestrian test ratingassessment of effective-ness and convenience - the moreblack blobs the betterfactory fitted optional extra4standard on this modelnot available on this model84others16-litre front side4444 ABS and electronic brake forcedistribution, front door impact absorbentpadding, doors open tell-tale graphic4 Five-door estate43-4958474198*1776612813198-130179 88-12087-109981572( with sunroof )

6 9190-94146T: typical back seat space behind medium-sized front occupants10(inner sill)(outer sill)47-5050TT* 182 with mirrors foldedkerb weight: 1525kg (maker s figure)00187+4793almost sporty zeal and well-controlled roll, is prettyimpressive. Less so the ride. True, the suspension ismasterfully composed on most main roads, but at lowerspeed on broken secondary surfaces, progress isdisappointingly harsh and jiggly. The expensive,stiff-walled, low-profile tyres (W-rated and good for169mph) are partly responsible for this lack ofsuppleness, but the suspension settings on an Estate car,with its wide load variations, have to be something of acompromise unless it s a Citro n Xantia. With moreweight on board, the low-speed fidgeting is heated, leather-trimmed electric front seats arewell-shaped and comfortable.

7 And thank goodness thereare his-and-her memory settings on the multi-adjustabledriver s seat it takes so long to find the idealcombination, you don t want to lose it! The steeringwheel is adjustable for rake and reach, too, there s adecent footrest alongside the double-width brake pedaland four column stalks work most of the controls(including the cruise control and radio/CD player).All round vision is excellent (best to remove the threerear head restraints when possible, though), aided by anauto dipping interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers and adouble-angle offside mirror. We appreciated thecomprehensive multi-function computer, too, but itsmessages are difficult to decipher in bright in the back are less well catered for,because although legroom and footspace are more thanadequate (though not as generous as in some rivals), thebackrest is rather upright and there s little side supportand no centre armrest.

8 It s much nicer in the back of the406 saloon. Fortunately most people sit high enough tobenefit from modest thigh support, but then this meansthat headroom isn t over-generous the roof scoop is toofar back. The doors open wide, but there s a highish sillto lift feet round to the back and you find that when the backseats are folded forwards, the load area is completely flatand helpfully wide, thanks to only slim wheelarchintrusion. The folding arrangement isn t ideal, though;there s nowhere to stow the removed head restraints, theseatbelts hamper raising the lowering the seatbacks, andthe backrests release buttons are neither lockable norconcealed. They do, however, have red warning poststhat show when the seat isn t properly s no denying how nicely trimmed and presentedthe spacious cargo area is, though. Four tie-down loopsand an elasticated net restrain unruly loads, while plasticstrips protect the thick, foam-backed load deck can be hidden from sight by the rear shelf thatcontains a roller blind.

9 It s a bit fiddly to clip into slots atthe rear, but easy enough to remove completely as acassette. There are a pair of neat lockers on either side ofthe load area the left one housing the CD is easy as there s no rear sill, but the polishedaluminium trim panel is likely to be scuffed, and bewarethe rear bumper it s so shaped as to retain moisture andmuck that can get on your transforming the 406 Estate from limo toload-lugger isn t without its irritations, there can befew more pleasant ways of shifting big loads or twosets of golf clubs than in this hushed and refinedthree-litre s a pity that too much back seat comfort andlow-speed ride quality are sacrificed for the sake ofpracticality, because otherwise the 406 Estate notonly combines stylish spaciousness with a host ofcreature comforts, but also performs withremarkable verve and handles with poise and in all.

10 It s a pleasure to do business THE 406 COMPARESE nginecyl/cap/power(no/cc/bhp)Revs at70mph(rpm)30-70mphthroughgears (sec)30-70mphin 5th/4thgears (sec)Fueleconomy(mpg)Brakes*best stop(m/kg)Maximumlegroom -front (cm)Typical leg/kneeroom -rear (cm)Steeringturns/ (p)circle (m)Overalllength(cm) Peugeot 406 V6 EST (AUTO)V6/2946/194 Mondeo V6 Est (man) V6/2544/170 /18109100 Grand Cherokee (auto)6/3960 9-5 Est (man)4/1985 25 /32110103 Omega Est (auto)d6/2498 24/1811495 Passat V6 TDi Est (auto)d V6/2496/150 /18112100 V70 Classic Est (man)5/2435 25 /22109106 performance and economy figures for saloon equivalentd diesel* all with ABS(p) all power assisted The Automobile Association 2000 Just right driving position (eventually)..but front seat armrests too steeply angledClear displays, including oil speedometer is a bare-faced liarand service interval info(reads 75mph at a true 70)Smooth-acting gear adjacent numbering and S and Wis easy to useswitches not repositioned for RHDC lever fuzzy logic engine can give an offputtinggives swift, silky shiftsaccelerative surge after an upshiftClimate control air airflow doesn't do exactly whatstandard and works welldistribution control promisesTwin gas struts hold tailgate plastic hand pull to close it feels cheapLIKES AND GRIPES