Gary.
'89 MI16x4 Swiss spec
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Cullemore [SMTP:robertc@octonline.com]
>Sent: Saturday, February 22, 1997 22:08
>To: peugeot@tesla.tor.ec.gc.ca
>Subject: 406 SRi Turbo - Test
>
>OK Lads,
>
>I've just returned from a delightful trip to the UK and have many
>thoughts and comments regarding Peugeot.
>It's certainly a most surreal feeling to be in a place where there are
>so many of them all over the place from basic 106's to fully decked out
>605's.
>
>And, as promised, I test-drove the new 406. The V-6 is not yet
>available in the UK and neither is the coupe so the top model of the 406
>range is the 406 2.0 Turbo which sports a 1998cc 8 valve turbo with 150
>HP @ 5300 rpm.
>Top speed is 130 mph with 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds.
> Although my time with the car was limited, a mix of suburban London
>two-lane roads and a stint on the M3 highway made it evident that this
>is one fine machine. The turbo is a low-pressure unit (there's no
>turbo-boost gauge) and turbo lag is non-existent. Although the car is
>bigger than the 405 it replaces, it is not that much rooomier but the
>406 is far more refined. The front-suspension setup is far quiter than
>the rattly 405 setup and road noise is low. The interior is
>ergonomically sound and would certainly be familiar to any 405/505
>owner. The car holds the road like a train on tracks and the
>variable-assist power steering works very well.
> Although probably not as fast as an Mi16, I hit 100 mph very quicklty
>and effortlessly. Everything about the car speaks to refinement and
>class. All the traditional Peugeot strengths have been maintained and
>the car seems to be put together very well. Under the hood, Peugeot
>have learnt from their mistakes - the ECU has been moved to virtually
>the middle of the engine bay and is very well sealed off and anywhere
>where there are wires exposed they've been sealed by a strong
>transparent rubber. In general, a lot more care has been taken in the
>design of the 406.
> In short, if this car were made available here, I would not hesitate on
>laying down the $ for it. It is a fantastic machine and (as others on
>this list have reported) has won rave reviews all around the world. BBC
>Top Gear magazine rated it #2 out of a field of 16 medium sized cars
>with a 5 star rating.
> With all the Peugeot's on the road there, finding parts is very easy.
>There are all kinds of after-market goodies for Pug's as well ranging
>from spoiler kits to K+N cone filter induction kit, power boost valve
>kit, modified heads and sports camshafts, brake convertions, replacement
>chip's that boost power on the Euro Mi16 from 160 to 188, and sports
>suspension setup's (I bought myself a set of Jamex Sport Springs for my
>Mi16 - $85 !)
>At the local Peugeot dealer they have catalogue's full of accesories - I
>picked up a polo shirt, t-shirt and an excellent Haynes Manual for the
>405.
> When you see the high-flying presence that Peugeot enjoys there with
>their top-class variety of cars (the 306GTi-6speed is a VW GTi killer)
>and the respect that those cars command certainly leaves me with no
>doubt that a return to the North American market is not only inevitable
>but could definitely be successful. Peugeot should NOT restrict itself
>to the hig end of the market. Less expensive models like the 106 and
>the supurb 306 get people into the showrooms (especially young people)
>and are stepping stones for future Peugeot purchases - 406, 605, 806,
>etc.
>
>BTW- My Mi16 is all sorted out - needed to replace the fuel pump, can't
>wait to install the new sport springs on it - just as the dry roads of
>Spring beckon!!
>
>Cheers,
>Robert Cullemore
>89 405 Mi16