Word that a new Peugeot is bound for the United States has not traditionally
galvanized the American car-buying public, nor has it always rendered
enthusiasts atwitter with anticipation. But the new Peugeot 605 sedan, which
we should see in this country in 1992, deserves better than that.
We had a chance to drive the twelve-valve version of Peugeot's 3.0-liter
V-6-powered 605 on its home grounds, and we readily say that this newest
Peugeot represents a forward step in the kind of cars that Peugeot has
brought to the U.S. It's modem, roomy, good-looking, extremely comfortable,
quiet, and has a 165-horsepower engine well suited to its task.
The comfort factor found in Peugeots has always attracted us, as has their
general on-the-road deportment. The handling qualities, executed in the
soft-edged French manner, have pleased some of us and not others. The new
605 will come closer to pleasing everyone here than any previous Peugeot.
Naturally, any overall assessment must include value, and the price of the
605 intended for our market has not been set. At its French introduction in
October 1989, 605 prices ranged from $21,818 (tot the 2.0-liter
four-cylinder carbureted version) to $43,636 for the top-of-the-passenger
compartment, we stuffed no fewer than eight pieces of both-sided luggage in
the trunk, an achievement that impressed us.
We drove the car on France's excellent autoroute system as well as on lesser
roads and found its ride quality uniformly good. Even with the trunk fully
loaded, the rear suspension held its own with no bottoming out or other odd
acts under reasonably aggressive driving.
Overall, the fully independent suspension--struts located by control arms up
front and unequal-length control arms and coil springs at the rear--takes
good care of the car's occupants, giving a soft but competent performance on
all surfaces save unfairly bumpy back-road curves.
The 605's brakes, all discs, are excellent. Aside from taking hold with just
a hair more enthusiasm that we'd like, the brakes were easily up to the
standards needed by a sports sedan under normal use. The brakes showed a
welcome absence of any sponginess or numbness and transmitted positive and
informative messages to our right foot.
The 605's steering has all the proper features: power assist, variable
effort keyed to the car's speed, good on-line stability, and sufficient road
feel. Moreover, the leather-wrapped wheel is adjustable in both height and
fore-and-aft position. Parking in cramped Parisian spaces was so easily
accomplished that we not only applauded the steering system but suspected
the car of having a turning radius of less than its length. For a commodious
car, the 605 ranks high on the maneuverability chart.
The introduction of this car, as good as we think it is, will not ensure
runaway sales in the U.S. Peugeot's relatively small dealer network will
preclude that. If' those dealers can lure incipient Francophiles in for a
test drive, however, we're willing to predict that some conquests will
result. Not of Napoleonic scope, perhaps, but any progress is welcome
progress where Peugeot's North American sales effort is concerned.
PHOTOS (COLOR): A new executive-length tourer from France.
~~~~~~~~
BY WILLIAM JEANES
Copyright of Car & Driver is the property of Hachette Filipacchi Magazines
and its content may not be copied without the copyright holder's express
written permission except for the print or download capabilities of the
retrieval software used for access. This content is intended solely for the
use of the individual user.
Source: Car & Driver, Mar91, Vol. 36 Issue 9, p84, 4p, 1 chart, 6c.
Item Number: 9103182789
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________