Though never the height of automotive fashion, the humble mainstream family estate does seem to be struggling. Buyers want upmarket badges, and they want them affixed to SUVs or oversized hatchbacks – not boxy old wagons. Things are clearly bad when even the Ford Mondeo has met its maker. But a few soldier on; one of them is the Peugeot 508. It has more premium aspirations now than ever before, though it remains a conventional (if handsome) estate derived from a regular saloon. There’s even a Peugeot Sport Engineered flagship now, which promises to be a rare sight, but is undeniably intriguing.
That will be the 508 talked about in 20 years’ time, much as this 2001 406 GTX is worth discussing now. Because even the most ardent fans won’t be too bothered about the humdrum petrols and diesels; a range-topping 3.0-litre V6, however, is a rather different matter. Like the PSE nowadays, a V6 406 probably didn’t need to exist, but it was a welcome addition to those who liked a bit of extra performance. Both old-school 3.0-litre and new-school 1.6 hybrid promise to be rare, because those after the Peugeot will likely make do with a lesser variant and those wanting dynamism will probably think German, which only serves to make them more interesting. It’s hard to recall when you last saw a 406, leave alone a V6 estate 406. A manual one, too…
Of course the model was almost preordained to fall by the wayside. It wasn’t on sale for yonks, to start with. And by the time the scrappage schemes hit, the timing couldn’t have been worse: old enough to not be worth much, not quite classic enough to be worth saving like 405s might have been. Let’s be honest, too, it’s hardly like this was a 205 or 306 GTI – it is unlikely that quite so many hearts will have bled for the demise of the 406.
Still, a V6 GTX was never what would be called common, combining the big engine with a trim level below the top Executive – see the cloth seats for proof. Even at their peak in the early 2000s, just over 100 GTXs in both bodystyles were registered in the UK; a French car with a large engine has typically always been a tough sell here. Now it’s believed just six (!) remain taxed, with a few more SORN’d. Again, it’s hardly like we’re down to the last half a dozen 106 Rallyes, but it would be a shame for the old load lugger not to enjoy a few more years.
Bless it, the Pug needs some love, too. It may have been with one owner its entire life, but the recent MOTs have thrown up more than a few defects. That said there’s nothing that doesn’t seem insurmountable, and effort has certainly been expended on saving less worthy cars than this. Just don’t forget to budget for a new gearknob. And a thorough clean of that passenger seat…
Obviously its seen a few miles so the requirement for some additional TLC is not unexpected; the real question is whether or not the idea of a big engine in an unassuming car still appeals. Because there’s not much more unassuming than a Peugeot 406, especially one that won’t be all that fast in a modern context. But for exactly £1,978 the old V6 looks a more than acceptable way to carry five people and lots of stuff. And in an age that tends violently towards downsizing – to the point of eliminating the engine altogether – we can think of worse ways to blow your post office savings account.
SPECIFICATION | PEUGEOT 406 V6 GTX
Engine: 2,946cc, V6Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drivePower (hp): 210@6,000rpmTorque (lb ft): 210@3,750rpmMPG: 29CO2: 229g/kmYear registered: 2001Recorded mileage: 123,773Price new: N/A
Yours for: £1,978
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Keyword: Peugeot 406 V6 GTX | Spotted