Peugeot 405Timing chain or Belt?

The Peugeot 405 is a D-segment saloon from the French manufacturer PSA (currently part of the Stellantis conglomerate). It was launched in mid-1987, and its production in Europe ceased in 1996, although, as we will see later, its production continued in some countries around the world.

Awarded the title of "Car of the Year" in Europe in 1988, the Peugeot 405 was an emblematic vehicle for the French lion brand. It had two phases. The first, original generation featured a design handled by Pininfarina. It had a wide variety of diesel and gasoline engines, and achieved solid sales considering its segment and price.

The most interesting model of this generation was the Peugeot 405 Mi 16. This performance version was equipped with a 1.9-liter, 16-valve engine that produced 160 hp. In addition to offering excellent handling, the Mi 16 became famous for its great design and its performance in motorsports.

The second generation, also known as Phase 2, was introduced in 1992 with significant modifications. The vehicle's structure was reinforced, and a new front-end design and taillights were introduced. Internally, the dashboard layout was completely revamped and the materials used were improved. Regarding engines, new options were introduced, including a 2-liter 16-valve multi-point injection engine that produced 203 hp.

Although the 405 was succeeded in Europe by the Peugeot 406 starting in 1997, this Peugeot is one of the longest-lived car models in automotive history. The Iranian company IKCO (Iran Khodro Company) acquired the rights to produce the 405 locally and began manufacturing it in 1990. This vehicle quickly became a pillar of the Iranian automotive market due to its robust design and reliability. Over the years, IKCO developed vehicles parallel to the original PSA 405, featuring mechanical improvements and aesthetic updates.

Among the alternatives to the Peugeot 405, we can mention numerous rivals such as the Renault 21, the Ford Sierra, the Volkswagen Passat, the Opel Vectra, or even the Citroën BX, produced by PSA itself.