New Car/Review

Peugeot at the Paris Autoshows

by Paul Negyesi

"I'm fed up with those Italian prototypes!" I bet this sentence never occured at any Peugeot meeting, it only lurked in the heads of the Peugeot managers.
Peugeot wants to be more creative, the new 406 proved it.
The two prototypes exhibited in Paris, along with the Pininfarina-designed 406 coupé creates an interesting feeling: as if Peugeot loves/loathes the Italian design studios.
The new Asphalte, which is based on the 1.6 liter 106 weighs only 580 kg and has a max. speed of 200 kph. It's a one seater. It's small: main dimensions are 3.4/1.8/1 meter. It's like a boat. Does all these details ring a bell? It's barchetta for me.
The Touareg is a more individual effort. It's an based on the 106 Electro. It's like a shrinken Dreddmobile: the length is 3.5 meter, but it looks bigher and more tough. The factory promises real off-roader capabilities.

It's a shame neither of the two intriguing models will be offered even in small series.

The 406 coupé will be on sale next year. It was designed and will be manufactured by the Italian Pininfarina design house.
It's based on the normal 406, but it's been lenghtened by 6 cm to ensure the necessary bootspace. The car is powered by a new 3-liter, V6 engine.