THE 405 represented a radical departure for Peugeot, with its lightweight construction, modish lines and front-wheel drive hardware. After decades of simple, robust rear-drive family cars like the 404, 504 and 505, the 405 seemed like an expensive French Toyota Camry - albeit a roomy, agile and elegant one. The base 80kW 1.9-litre four-cylinder 405 and cult 108kW 1.9-litre twin-cam manual-only 405 Mi16 sports sedan (featured here) were joined by the leather-clad S and a boxy base wagon in late ’89, both featuring 80kW and a four-speed auto. In late ’91 minor changes, a 90kW 1.9 engine and upgraded equipment levels heralded the new SRI base model, and a Luxury Pack (leather and anti-lock brakes) option on the Mi16 range. May 1993's D70 looked very similar, but the many changes Peugeot wrought to the 405 included a strengthened body structure, a new nose and tail, a completely redesigned cabin, revised drivetrains, improved safety and updated electronics. A new 89kW 2.0-litre engine powered the popular SRI value-leader and luxury STI, while the Mi16 scored a 112kW twin-cam version of the same engine. In late ’93 a 69kW 1.9-litre turbodiesel SRDT sedan joined the range, but it took another two years for the equivalent wagon to come. A driver’s airbag and other refinements were added to the Mi16 and STI in mid-’95. The bigger 406 replaced the 405 in late ’96, although the 405 diesels stayed until early ’98, when the 406 equivalents arrived. The 405 continues on in Iran and Egypt.