Performance Review: Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 405 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Peugeot 405 has a 1905cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 405 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 405's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1110 kgs (2447 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 405 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1905cc 16V St4 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 405 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (169.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 405.

The Peugeot 405 has a Power to weight ratio of 144.1 bhp per ton and 119.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 405 competing with the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (169.1 bhp per ton) or the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (169.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Peugeot 405 generating around 119.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (144.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (144.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 405 and the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 405 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.38 secs @ 89.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (15.32 secs), the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (15.32 secs), and the 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 405 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1988 405 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison