Peugeot 406 Coupe: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Peugeot 406 Coupe catalogue data covers the original 1 generation from October 1995 to May 2001 and its restyling from February 1999 to October 2005. Across the listed versions, the practical choice ranges from the 1.8 MT with 90 hp to the 3.0 MT with 207 hp.
The Peugeot 406 Coupe catalogue data covers the original 1 generation from October 1995 to May 2001 and its restyling from February 1999 to October 2005. Across the listed versions, the practical choice ranges from the 1.8 MT with 90 hp to the 3.0 MT with 207 hp. The 2.2 MT diesel is the economy-led option, returning a measured 6.4 l/100 km combined, while the 207 hp 3.0 MT is the performance choice, reaching 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and 240 km/h. Buyers wanting a middle ground can compare the 135–140 hp 2.0 versions with the 158 hp 2.2 MT.
Peugeot 406 Coupe generations and versions
The original 1 generation ran from October 1995 through May 2001 as a Coupe. The database records 32 modifications in total and provides specifications for 12 of them. The shown engine range includes 1.8 MT, several 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT variants, 2.2 MT gasoline and diesel versions, and 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT versions. Their outputs extend from 90 hp to 207 hp.
The restyling belongs to that same generation and ran from February 1999 through October 2005, also as a Coupe. The database records 34 modifications and shows 12 specifications. It adds later specification combinations while retaining 1.8 MT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.2 MT, 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT names. Because several names identify different engines or outputs, power and production period must be checked alongside the exact version name.
Peugeot 406 engine options and specs
The table distinguishes repeated names by output and period. Displacement is stated in cubic centimetres so that no rounded engine-capacity figure is introduced.
| Period | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | not measured | 1761 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 155 Nm | 1761 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (132 hp) | 132 hp | 180 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (132 hp) | 132 hp | 180 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (135 hp) | 135 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 135 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 158 hp | 217 Nm | 2231 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 133 hp | 314 Nm | 2179 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT (190 hp) | 190 hp | 267 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 AT (190 hp) | 190 hp | 267 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 207 hp | 285 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 207 hp | 285 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 147 Nm | 1761 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (136 hp) | 136 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (140 hp) | 140 hp | 192 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 AT (140 hp) | 140 hp | 192 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 158 hp | 217 Nm | 2231 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1999–2004 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 207 hp | 285 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 2.0 MT (135 hp) | 135 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 135 hp | 190 Nm | 1997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 158 hp | 217 Nm | 2231 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 133 hp | 314 Nm | 2179 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 207 hp | 285 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2001–2005 | 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 207 hp | 285 Nm | 2946 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Power per litre separates the engines less dramatically than their headline outputs. The 90 hp 1.8 MT produces about 51.1 hp per litre, while the 110 hp 1.8 MT reaches about 62.5 hp per litre. The 135 hp 2.0 versions deliver about 67.6 hp per litre; the 140 hp 2.0 versions reach about 70.1 hp per litre. The 158 hp gasoline 2.2 MT produces about 70.8 hp per litre, narrowly ahead of the 207 hp 3.0 versions at about 70.3 hp per litre. The turbocharged diesel 2.2 MT produces about 61.0 hp per litre but has the highest torque in the listed range at 314 Nm.
Peugeot 406 performance and fuel economy
| Period | Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (110 hp) | 12.6 s | 185 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (132 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (132 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (135 hp) | 10.4 s | 208 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 14.1 s | 200 km/h | 15.9 l/100 km | 7.9 l/100 km | 10.9 l/100 km |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 9.9 s | 218 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 10.9 s | 208 km/h | 8.8 l/100 km | 4.9 l/100 km | 6.4 l/100 km |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT (190 hp) | 7.9 s | 235 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 AT (190 hp) | 9.6 s | 230 km/h | 17.2 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 11.6 l/100 km |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 7.8 s | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 9.5 s | 232 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | 14.6 s | 181 km/h | 11.8 l/100 km | 6.4 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (136 hp) | 11.0 s | 203 km/h | 12.9 l/100 km | 6.9 l/100 km | 9.1 l/100 km |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (140 hp) | 10.6 s | 210 km/h | 10.3 l/100 km | 6.0 l/100 km | 7.5 l/100 km |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 AT (140 hp) | 11.4 s | 201 km/h | 12.3 l/100 km | 6.5 l/100 km | 8.6 l/100 km |
| 1999–2004 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 10.0 s | 218 km/h | 12.8 l/100 km | 6.7 l/100 km | 8.9 l/100 km |
| 1999–2004 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 8.0 s | 240 km/h | 13.7 l/100 km | 7.2 l/100 km | 9.6 l/100 km |
| 2001–2005 | 2.0 MT (135 hp) | 10.4 s | 208 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 12.3 s | 201 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 9.5 s | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 10.9 s | 208 km/h | 8.8 l/100 km | 4.9 l/100 km | 6.4 l/100 km |
| 2001–2005 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 7.8 s | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 9.5 s | 232 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The gearbox difference is easy to quantify where comparable specifications exist. The 2001–2005 2.0 MT reaches 100 km/h 1.9 seconds sooner than the 2.0 AT and has a top speed 7 km/h higher. Among the 207 hp 3.0 versions, the 3.0 MT is 1.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 8 km/h faster at the top end than the 3.0 AT.
The later 140 hp pair shows a smaller automatic penalty. The 2.0 MT is 0.8 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, 9 km/h faster, and uses 1.1 l/100 km less combined than the 2.0 AT. Compared with the 136 hp 2.0 MT, the 140 hp 2.0 MT adds 4 hp, cuts 0.4 seconds from the acceleration time, raises top speed by 7 km/h and lowers measured combined consumption by 1.6 l/100 km.
Peugeot 406 weight, ground clearance and tank size
| Period | Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | not measured | not measured | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1996–1999 | 1.8 MT (110 hp) | 1385 kg | 2045 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (132 hp) | not measured | not measured | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (132 hp) | not measured | not measured | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 MT (135 hp) | 1385 kg | 1785 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 1363 kg | 1785 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 1420 kg | 1820 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 1410 kg | 1835 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT (190 hp) | 1460 kg | 1830 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 AT (190 hp) | 1460 kg | 1870 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1997–2001 | 3.0 MT / 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 1505 kg | 1935 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 1.8 MT (90 hp) | 1250 kg | 1770 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (136 hp) | 1290 kg | 1915 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 MT (140 hp) | 1340 kg | 1880 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 2.0 AT (140 hp) | 1345 kg | 1880 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 1370 kg | 1910 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 1999–2004 | 3.0 MT (207 hp) | 1455 kg | 1995 kg | 130 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT (135 hp) | 1385 kg | 1785 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (158 hp, Gasoline) | 1415 kg | 1910 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 2.2 MT (133 hp, Diesel) | 1435 kg | 1835 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 2001–2005 | 3.0 MT / 3.0 AT (207 hp) | 1460 kg | 1910 kg | 120 mm | 70 l | not measured |
Weight per horsepower helps show what an engine upgrade buys. The 1999–2004 1.8 MT carries about 13.9 kg per hp, compared with about 9.5 kg per hp for the 136 hp 2.0 MT, about 9.6 kg per hp for the 140 hp 2.0 MT, about 8.7 kg per hp for the 158 hp 2.2 MT, and about 7.0 kg per hp for the 207 hp 3.0 MT. The 3.0 MT therefore offers roughly half the kilograms per horsepower of the 90 hp 1.8 MT.
External length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data. Every listed version has a 70 l tank. Ground clearance is either 120 mm or 130 mm, depending on the listed specification, and wheel sizes are not measured for any shown version.
Which Peugeot 406 Coupe version should you buy?
Choose the 2.2 MT with 133 hp and Diesel fuel when measured economy and low-speed torque are the priorities. Its 314 Nm is 97 Nm more than the gasoline 2.2 MT and 29 Nm more than the 207 hp 3.0 versions. Its combined consumption is 6.4 l/100 km, 2.5 l/100 km below the measured 8.9 l/100 km of the 1999–2004 gasoline 2.2 MT. The trade-off is performance: the diesel needs 10.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h and tops out at 208 km/h.
Choose the 1999–2004 2.0 MT with 140 hp for the strongest measured balance among the listed gasoline four-cylinder versions. It returns 7.5 l/100 km combined, reaches 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds and has a 210 km/h top speed. The automatic version uses 8.6 l/100 km combined and is slower, so the 2.0 AT mainly suits a buyer who values an Automatic gearbox over the manual version’s numerical advantages.
Choose the 2.2 MT with 158 hp and Gasoline fuel when more power is wanted without moving to the V-shaped 6-cylinder engine. In 2001–2005 specification it reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and 220 km/h, improving on the same-period 135 hp 2.0 MT by 0.9 seconds and 12 km/h. Its torque advantage is 27 Nm.
Choose the 3.0 MT with 207 hp for maximum performance. Its 285 Nm output, 7.8-second acceleration time and 240 km/h top speed are the strongest combination in the supplied specifications. The 3.0 AT retains the same 207 hp and 285 Nm but records 9.5 seconds and 232 km/h. On the available figures, the Manual is the clear performance selection.
The 1.8 MT is the least performance-focused choice. In the measured 90 hp restyled specification, it takes 14.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed of 181 km/h. Its 8.4 l/100 km combined consumption is also 0.9 l/100 km higher than the 140 hp 2.0 MT figure, so smaller displacement does not produce the lowest measured gasoline consumption in this dataset.
No price, availability, reliability, problem, engine-oil-capacity or sale information is present in the supplied catalogue data. Those points therefore cannot be used to rank the versions. Based strictly on the measured specifications, the 133 hp Diesel 2.2 MT is the economy choice, the 140 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT is the balanced choice, the 158 hp Gasoline 2.2 MT is the middle-performance choice, and the 207 hp 3.0 MT is the fastest choice.