!6V, 4WD, rear spoiler
The fast sedan became extinct much earlier than the hot hatchback. Sporty versions of business mid-sized cars with a big engine were still available in abundance in the late eighties and early nineties. The Peugeot 405 is one of those. You had it as the MI 16 and as the even faster T16. The latter had a turbo and always four-wheel drive, the MI could also be had as 4WD. Years later, we are going out with such a copy again.
In the late 80s and early 90s you had plenty of choice in fast sedans, including from France. In addition to this 405 MI 16, for example, the Citroën BX 16V (okay, not really a sedan) with the same engine, the Renault 21 Turbo with 175 hp, the Opel Vectra 2000 with 150 hp (also as a 4×4 and as a Turbo 4×4), the Volkswagen Passat Syncro G60 with 160 hp, the Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 GTI 16V with 150 hp and 4WD, and the Mazda 626 2.0i 16V GT with 148 hp. The Japanese were even available with four-wheel steering. The 405 we drive does not have that, but it does have permanent four-wheel drive, hence the addition X4. The MI 16 was also supplied with only front-wheel drive and in that case you had slightly steering rear wheels.
The 16V that powered many fast Peugeots and Citroëns. Without the cat he was at almost 160 hp.
Engine also known from Peugeot 309 GTi 16
The engine is based on the 122 hp four-cylinder from the 1.9i with multipoint injection and is equipped with a sixteen-valve cylinder head with hydraulic valve tappets and two overhead camshafts. The power source was also in the 309 GTi 16. It can rev slightly more than its weaker brother, but what is striking is the small increase in torque: the 1.9i delivers 150 Nm at 3,000 rpm, while the 16V increases it to 166 Nm kicks at 5,000 rpm. In its time, the 405 SRi 1.9 was known as a wonderful and very smooth car. The MI 16 And later an even more expensive and faster version was released: the T16, with a 200 hp 2.0-liter turbo engine, in the price list for 80 grand…
The Peugeot 405 was also a model from the heyday of Peugeot design.
Special rear axle construction made this 405 so expensive
The engine is made entirely of aluminum and the valve cover is even made of magnesium. What makes the MI 16 (the abbreviation MI stands for Multi Injection) with 4WD so expensive is the special rear axle construction. While the regular 406 has a rear axle with torsion springs and conventional shock absorbers, the X4 is equipped with hydropneumatic suspension. Indeed, borrowed from Citroën, complete with the well-known green spring ball and two LHM-filled hydraulic cylinders that serve as springs and shock absorbers and also keep the car height constant. This solution was probably chosen because there was no room for a conventional torsion beam, due to the cardan shaft, the differential and the two drive shafts. And regular struts would require too much body modification.
What do you notice about the hydropneumatic suspension?
To be honest, we found the rear suspension to be quite stiff, so perhaps something could be changed. In any case, it is not even remotely reminiscent of the buttery-soft chassis of a Citroën with hydropneumatics. Now that we have arrived at this theme: the handling of the fast 405 is really fantastic. The combination of a relatively low vehicle weight and good weight distribution make this a great driver’s car, even by today’s standards. In those years, Peugeot was known for supplying above-average cars that drive well. We also cherish fond memories of the 505 and the older 504 in that regard.
Engine is also very nice
Not only the chassis is inspiring, the engine also makes a big contribution. At first you don’t notice anything special until the tachometer needle passes 4,000. Then the potent four-cylinder really comes into its element and with great pleasure it trots on to the red part of the dial. You can also see from the gearbox ratios that he likes to rev. A sixth gear would not be an unnecessary luxury, at 100 km/h the engine is already running at almost 3,500 rpm and it even reaches just over 7,200 rpm in five, with a real speed of 215 km/h. In short, a nice and lively engine with a pleasant exhaust note.
External differences with regular Peugeot 405
Also very pleasant is the thick, small, leather-covered steering wheel. Behind it is an instrument cluster including an engine oil temperature meter, a useful option. The black leather-covered seats do offer sufficient lateral support, but unfortunately the seat is a bit high and the seat itself is quite short. On the outside, the differences with a representative 405 diesel are not dramatic. A larger front spoiler, side skirts and a wing on the trunk lid are the most important features, together with the alloy wheels in the endearing size of 15 inches. And of course that beautiful red rating plate on the back. An extremely modest exhaust pipe protrudes from under the rear. This copy was in the possession of the first owner for no less than 21 years and came to the Netherlands in 2014. In terms of driving, it is perhaps one of the nicest youngtimers in the price range around 10,000 euros.
Peugeot 405
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl