The 405 Petrol Saloon Range

 405 Mi16 in Diablo Red.

The Peugeot 405 Petrol Saloon was launched in the UK in August 1988 (F reg plates). The 405 was always known as a 'drivers' car in its day, having one the 'best' chassis in its class. In Saloon form, it combined precise handling, superb levels of comfort and rather good steering all of which make it a very enjoyable car to drive.

The 405 came in three main phases.

Phase I - built from Oct 88 until Oct 92.

Phase II - built from Oct 92 until Mar 94

Phase III - built from Mar 94 until replaced by the 406!

Phase I - the first generation.

The Petrol versions launched came in with four different engines. These were a 1.6 (non-fuel injected), 1.9 (non-fuel injected), 1.9i (fuel injected) and the 1.9i 16 valve fuel injected engine.They came in a variety of trim levels, these being as follows:-

1.6 models - 92bhp

1.6 Style  - entry version, very little in terms of specification

1.6 GE - entry model available prior to 'style' name badge being applied, basically the same car..

1.6 GL - Electric front windows, ski flap (boot / rear seat hole), not much else.

1.6 GR - Same as GL plus electric heated door mirrors. Other options available.

1.9 models - 110bhp

1.9 GL - Same spec as 1.6, better engine. Power Assisted Steering standard from mid 1990.

1.9 GL 4x4 - Four wheel drive version of GL. Spec as GL plus PAS standard, self levelling rear suspension and central locking.

1.9 GR - as 1.6 spec, PAS fitted mid 1990 onwards, electric rear windows and rear headrests fitted from late 1990 onwards. Front fog lights also added to spec list in 1992.

1.9i fuel injected models - 125bhp

1.9 GRi - Same spec as 1.9GR, even better engine. Power Assisted Steering standard from mid 1990.

1.9 SRi - Spec as GR plus PAS standard, central locking, rear spoiler, sports seats, front fog lights.

1.9 GTXi - spec similar to SRi, electric rear windows, front fog lights, 8 spoke alloy wheels. Air-con an option

1.9i 16 valve models - 160bhp

1.9i Mi 16 - Top of the range sports model. Features 16 valve engine, superb balanced chassis, body kit, headlamp wash-wipe, air-con option.

1.9i Mi 16 4x4 - four wheel drive version of Mi16 sports model. Same spec as 2WD version. Modified suspension to suit 4WD set-up.

Phase II - the refined generation.

 405 SRi saloon.

The second 'phase' had better build quality, and a new range of petrol engines. The model range was revised and improved. All engines now equipped with catalytic converters and fuel injection. New interior and dash board / instruments now in effect - less rattles ! Power steering now standard on all except Style D. Drivers air bag now standard on all except Style. New smaller rear light clusters is the give-away visual difference from the outside on Saloon models. New line up of engines consist of 1.4i, 1.6i, 1.8i, 2.0i and 2.0i 16V (Mi 16).

1.4i Models - 75bhp. This engine option only produced from Oct92-Aug93.

1.4i Style - Entry spec car, rather under powered in 1.4 form. Engine is tough and fuel efficient though (same engine used in 205 etc.). Electric sunroof optional. No PAS !! 

1.4i GL - Same as Style in spec, plus electric front windows, sunroof, immobiliser and ski-flap to boot.

1.6i Models - 90bhp.

1.6i Style - Same as 1.4i style in spec. PAS was an option.

1.6i GL - PAS standard, ABS and Automatic options.

1.6i GR - See 1.8iGR for specification - not sure if cruise control was on the 1.6i.

1.8i Models - 103bhp.

1.8i GL - PAS standard, electric front windows, electric sunroof, steering column control radio, remote control central locking. Air-con, ABS and Automatic options.

1.8i GR - As GL in spec, plus front fog lamps, front and rear electric windows, rear headrests and cruise control. Air-con, ABS and Automatic options.

2.0i Models - 123bhp.

2.0i GR - Same spec as 1.8i GR. Air-con, ABS options.

2.0i SRi - Sports seats, electric windows all round, sunroof, front fog lamps, Air-con and ABS an option.

2.0i STi - Very comprehensive spec, electric adjusted seats, wood everywhere, ABS, 8-spoke alloys. Basically everything except Air-con as standard (this was an option).

2.0i 16 valve model - 155bhp.

2.0i Mi16 - Sports model, spec similar to 1.9 16v Mi16 model.

Phase III - The last and best examples!         

 Late 405 GLX Saloon in Sorrento Green.

The phase three machines are the best ones. All models now have power steering, side impact bars, all but Style and Quasar models have air-conditioning. Complete re-vamp of range models from top to bottom (except style which remains unchanged). The car was getting on for 6 years old and was having to compete with new comers like the Mondeo / Passat. These late models are easily detectable because of the model names (with the exception of the style model again!). 405 Saloon models replaced by 406 range in January 1996.

1.6i Models - 90bhp.

1.6i Style - Still the entry 'no gimmicks' model, no air con.

1.6i GLX - Air con, front fog lamps, heated mirrors (switched on with rear window demist), remote central locking, electric front windows, sports seats / steering wheel, steering column radio controls, rear spoiler all standard. Very good specification.

1.8i Models - 103bhp.

1.8i GLX - Same spec as 1.6i. N reg ones also have 8 spoke alloys and chromed grill / larger body side mouldings.

1.8i Quasar - Similar spec to GLX, no Air-con (not even an option). 8-spoke Alloys fitted to all and rather cheerful aqua blue metallic paint.

2.0i Models - 123bhp.

2.0i GTX - High level spec car featuring alloy wheels (8-spoke on L/M reg, 'harrier' style like those fitted to many 306's on newer cars), electric windows all round, CD player on late M reg onwards examples. Wood on dash and doors, sports seats, electric heated door mirrors, air-con all standard.

2.0i Executive - Even higher level of trim, all included in GTX plus leather trim seats (front ones heated), 'harrier' style alloys, ABS, multi disc CD player. Top of the range and top of the prices ! Unless you really want all this kit, save some money and get a GLX or GTX instead.

405 T16 / Turbo16 Models

405 Turbo16 WRC's in action.

For details on the T16 model (road going version), see the T16 page.  The 405 Turbo 16 is the rally car which is not the same as the road going T16. The rally car had a coupe bodyshell and produced enormous amounts of BHP (350+?), see pictures above. The T16 looks very similar to the Mi16, see the T16 page for photos of this car.

Following on from my original idea of gathering a list of current T16 owners, which ended up with twenty or so T16 owners being in contact by email, the T16 owners now have their own websites for online exchange of information pictures and more.  If you are a T16 owner, or have a Peugeot powered by a T16 engine, you can apply to join the 'T16 club'.

To visit the T16 club and to ask to join, go to www.yahoo.com , visit the 'groups' homepage, search for '405T16' where you will find the group.  You have to ask to join as this allows the group to decide if you should be allowed to join - it is for T16 owners only remember, not just for 405 owners of any model.