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Peugeot's breathtaking 406 Coupe', acclaimed as one of
the world's most beautiful cars will make its local debut at Sydney's Australian
International Motor Show.
Offering full four-seat comfort, luxurious specification and 3.0-litre V6 power the
striking new Coupe is the latest result of a near 50 year collaboration between
Automobiles Peugeot and famous Italian design house Pininfarina.
Pricing will be in the \$70k bracket with exact price and specification details to be
announced at the show.
It is Peugeot's first fixed roof two door model since the 504 Coupe', also designed by
Pininfarina, launched in the late '60s but not sold in Australia.
The 406 Coupe' becomes the second Pininfarina designed model in the Australian Peugeot
range joining the sleek 306 Cabriolet.
According to Martin Ward, managing director of Australian Peugeot Importer, lnchcape
Motors Australia, "The 406 Coupe' has the performance, quality and equipment to match
or better luxury Coupe' competition costing at least 20 percent more."
And he adds, "The 406 Coupe' delivers superb
handling, outstanding ride comfort and more than enough power to match its stunning
looks."
Boasting the same 3.0-litre, quad-cam, 24-valve V6 engine fitted to the recently released
406 SV sedan the Coupe' boasts 144 kW of power, 267 Nm of torque and the
ability to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in just 9.6 seconds.
The 406 Coupe' will be available with an electronically controlled, three-mode, four-speed
automatic transmission only.
Pininfarina's build capacity for the 406 Coupe' of just 70 units a day translates to a
worldwide production of around 15,000 cars per year.
Availability in Australia will therefore be limited . . . to a maximum 120 cars annually.
PEUGEOT & PININFARINA
Peugeot and Pininfarina have been working together since 1951 when Automobiles Peugeot
decided to engage an independent design house to create its new 403 sedan.
Peugeot was seeking a distinctive, lasting look of its own and well before inter-company
collaboration became the European fashion Pininfarina and Peugeot had developed a
long-term partnership. And that collaboration has acquired a new dimension with the
production of 406 Coupe.
For the first time Peugeot has entrusted Pininfarina with responsibility, not only for
exterior and interior design but also for industrialisation and production.
The 406 Coupe' shares its sedan stablemate's floorpan, drivetrain and some "modified
and personalised" interior components. But the Coupe's body panels and sub-structure
are unique.
Assembly, body-in-white finishing and painting processes are carried out at Pininfarina's
Grugliasco production plant.
Trimming, assembly of the Coupe's mechanical parts as well as road and track testing are
then completed at Pininfarina's St Giorgio Canavese plant.
ORDERS & DELIVERY
The Peugeot 406 Coupe' will be on sale officially from the opening of the Australian
International
Motor Show on October 17th, 1997.
Once pricing is announced at the show dealers will be taking orders with initial
deliveries scheduled for early 1998.
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