2002 Peugeot 406 Executive review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

If I had to use one phrase to describe the Peugeot 406 V6, it would be "wolf in sheep's clothing". As such it regularly embarrases BMW and Mercedes drivers who are very surprised to see a plodding Diesel (most 406's are oil burners) disappearing over the horizon at an unprecedented rate of knots. It's classic, aerodynamic looks kick Vectras, Mondeos and Lagunas into touch, especially when it's finished in the dark grey metallic my car came in. The level of refinement and specification is unmatched by any of the competitors in this class. The car has electrically adjustable/programmable/heated front seats, retracting mirrors, satnav, climate control, electric sun roof, and a JBL sound system (all controlled from a neat stalk on the steering column) that should carry a health warning that it may blow out your ear-drums! Noise levels are staggeringly quiet. So much so that you can barely hear the engine at motorway speeds. Handling is pin-sharp with controllable understeer on the limit. But you have to be going some to reach those limits. It rides as well as it goes (more of which later!), both on motorways and the twisty pot-holed stuff we laughingly call "B" roads. It never feels anything less than totally composed and totally secure - even on nasty off camber left-handers that tighten up when you least expect them to. The speed-sensitive steering is pleasently light at parking speeds, but tightens up above 30mph and to deliver all the weight and feel an enthusiatic driver could wish for whether you're pushing on through the twisty stuff or negotiating a fast motorway curve. With ABS and ESR the big V6 stops as well as it goes. I timed a 60 - 0 emergency stop at 2.8 seconds which would shame several BMW's.

But it's that silky-smooth, Merc-stomping 210BHP V6 lump under the bonnet which really sets this car apart from the rest of the 406 range. 60 mph comes up in under 8 seconds and there's never less than 200 ft/lbs of torque available from as low as 2,500rpm which makes swift 5th gear overtaking a breeze. It simply despatches everyday traffic with nonchalent ease. The engine is complimented by one of the slickest 5 speed gearboxes I've used - a vast improvement over the notchy cable-operated horror fitted to the smaller pugs.

So what else? The boot's deeper than the previous 406 shape and it's nice to see Peugeot have reatained the full size spare wheel (205/65 15 inch). The build is not up to German standards, but is still surprisingly solid and rattle-free. The interior leather is nicely done and extends to leather inlays on the door panels. The walnut's plastic, but then Mercedes are guilty of the same trick. Why not fit the real thing - surely it can't add that much to a £21,000 car?

While I'm griping, the handbrake is just as sloppy as my old 406 2 litre petrol turbo and requires a hefty heave to engage on steep slopes. But these are minor niggles and pale into insignificance once you get behind the wheel. This car has put a permanent smile on my face which 2 month's use have yet to weaken. It's extremely comfortable, it's whisper quiet, has all the toys any sensible person could wish for and best of all, it goes like a scalded cat with a rocket up it's bottom when you want it to.

All it needs to make it truly perfect are 17" alloys (the standard 15" wheels are too small for the car), an air filter and a performance exhaust that will let that wonderful engine breath more easily and a superchip. With that lot added that car should be pushing out 240 horses and top 160 mph. But that's another story...