• a higher, longer, perceptibly curved bonnet with more pronounced ribbing, the lines flowing down to the headlamps;
• re-profiled bumpers incorporating chrome trim, their curved design evoking protection and sturdiness;
• the smooth glass "diamond-effect" headlamps, have a more stretched overall profile, sharply drawn out towards the centre of the radiator grille, strengthening the character of the front.

These headlamps (60 mm longer than those they replace) are also reduced in height, and for safe night driving these double parabola units feature high pressure H7 halogen bulbs.

On the painted bumper, the black strip is decorated with a chrome trim and the upper lip wraps around the wing, its shape linking up with the lower headlamp profile.

This profile then underlines the honeycomb radiator grille which features a chrome-surround Lion in its centre.

The lower part of the front apron incorporates an enlarged, more aggressive air intake with elongated fog lamps smoothly completing the "face".

The bumpers are made from a very stable polypropylene material with a 100 percent increase in resistance to deformation caused by strong UV exposure and extreme cold.

The bumpers have been designed to rebound from "urban shocks" up to 4 km/h.

At the front as at the rear, the increased curve in the redesigned bumpers takes the overall length of the sedan to 4.60 m (an increase of 43 mm).

On the profile, the smooth central pillar on the sedan is now body coloured. The antenna is shorter to reduce wind noise with amplification to improve reception.

At the rear, a reshaped, more rounded boot lid gives the impression of a "spoiler", supported by the body-colour bumper with chrome insert and the "ruby-effect" one-piece rear lights, divided horizontally by a body-coloured bar.

To retain visibility of required tail light colours, white (reversing), orange (indicator), and red (brake, fog, reflector), a subtle mixing of filters is used to calculate the appropriate final colour.

In order to give more body and smoothness to the rear section, the upwardly curved boot lid has a convex vertical shape with a gentle cut-out which, following the inner edge of the lights, descends right to the upper line of the bumper.

Although cargo volume remains the same from 406 D8 to D9 (430 litres) the usable boot space has been greatly improved through a revised lid and changes to interior profiles. The rear divider shelf has also been reshaped and raised to provide increased cargo height.

It adds 40 mm to the useful height of the boot which enables two large rigid suitcases to be stacked or to stand up side-by-side.

This design of the rear parcel shelf has been achieved without abandoning the original facilities of a roll-out sun blind, storage compartment twin speakers and split-folding rear seats.

The Peugeot monogram (on the left rear) and the 406 monogram (on the right rear) are affixed on the higher zone of the bumper beneath the rear lights.

The front and rear bumpers as well as the lateral moulding incorporate chrome inserts.

The 406 ST features wheel trims and finally the 406 Coupé keeps its timeless original design, with no external alterations whatsoever.

The interior styling has evolved through:

• more ergonomic door panels with revised window and mirror controls,
• brushed aluminium decorations on the handbrake button and vent controls,
• instrument cluster with revised dials,
• redesigned centre dashboard incorporating more practical heating and ventilation controls.
• A lighter steering wheel with a magnesium frame now incorporates the horn control which can be operated from any point on the floating centre pad. The Peugeot Lion is reproduced on the central cushion.

The 406 has improvements that touch on comfort and ergonomics, user friendliness, acoustics and vibration, driving assistance and a more subjective dimension covering visual and tactile factors.

The 406 is renowned for its ride comfort and outstanding dynamics, and the model is improved with gas-pressurised shock absorbers which improve comfort, mainly at low speed.

The 406 has more geometrically shaped front seats with a lengthened cushion to support the thighs along a greater length without negatively affecting the comfort of smaller occupants.

Adjustment range is now increased, with a height adjustable driver's seat on all models, a seat angle adjustment and an integrated lumbar support on all backrests.

The 406 SV features electrically operated front seats as standard. Leather trim is optional on 406 ST and SV with the optional leather-luxury pack on SV adding a group of additional features including full leather trim, heated seats with two position memory on the driver's side, electrochromatic day/night interior rear view mirror, leather gear shift, headlight washers and twin illuminated vanity mirrors.

As well as revised seats the front occupants benefit from a reprofiled door armrest with revised window and mirror swichgear.

This armrest offers wider elbow support (+5 mm), longer forearm support (+5 mm) and is fitted higher on the door (+40 mm).

The 406's dashboard is created as a single, rigid piece connected to ancillary parts by a combination of felting and screws, continuous seam welding and double walled seals to produce a virtually vibration-free construction.

The front area of the centre console is now fitted with a sound deadening mat and incorporates two cup holders, with a waterproof mat at its rear.

The rearrangement of the electrical control layout now regroups (in a multi-function display) information concerning the time, date, outside temperature and, where fitted, on-board computer functions.

It is now possible to monitor, on the one hand, the oil level before starting the engine on a indicator located in the instrument cluster and, on the other hand, the mileage remaining before the next service.
The control panel and the LCD display for the automatic regulation of the air conditioning temperature and flow has become even easier to operate.
Climate-control air conditioning is standard equipment on all models (previously non-regulated on ST). Also, the air recycling function is now controlled by a spring-loaded push button and the glove box lid now features a damper for smoother opening and closing.
The dash and console area is further enhanced by accent touches such as a chrome hand brake button, air vent direction controls also in chrome and a gear lever knob which is softer to the touch.
There is also the introduction of a third rear headrest in the sedan. And the rear seat back locks have also been redesigned to be self-locking and block access to the boot.
Folding down the seat backrest is now controlled by two handles fitted under the divider shelf, marked in red and more accessible, now located at entry to the boot.
The instrument cluster with round metallic trim dials and graphics, now includes a maintenance indicator as well as an oil level indicator on all models.
The instrument and display lighting level control is on the left side of the cluster and now it is possible, with the parking lights on, to obtain the brightness of daytime lighting.
The same brightness is available on all the illuminated controls. Interior and door sill lights have a 10 second time delay.
On automatic models, the (duplicate) gear selection graphic now sits within the rev counter.
The audible warnings for the direction indicators, open door, lights on and key in ignition are produced by a small speaker set in the instrument cluster.
And the 3.0-litre 406 SV is now available with an electrochromatic day/night interior rear-view mirror (as per the 406 Coupé) as part of the leather luxury pack.
The electrochromatic mirror's tint adapts automatically to changing light levels and thus avoids blinding the driver. Two probes analyse the luminous intensity coming from the back and the front and send data to a calculator which compares them.
The mirror itself is composed of two walls sandwiching a gel. The calculator sends an order to cool or heat the two walls (via electrolysis) to sink or raise the silvering of the mirror.
Selection of reverse gear cancels this action to allow visibility , for example when reversing into a garage.

A range of visual, tactile and acoustic factors contribute to the 406's improved comfort levels.
The reshaped front seats feature lengthened metallic bracing, adding shape to the squab and improving comfort and support.
And all seats feature two fabrics, a centre patterned section framed by plain matched trim outside it.
On the 406 ST a grey Tempete velour trim is standard while the 406 SV offers a choice between Terre de Cassel beige and Orage grey. Ouragan grey or Terre de Cassel beige leather trim is offered as an option on ST and SV.
Full leather trim is standard on 406 Coupé with a choice between Red, Grey or Apricot available.

The highest level of acoustic comfort has been sought for the 406.
The HDi engines are fitted with injection technology which delivers a significant reduction in combustion noise (see separate chapter).
And the dual flywheel on the HDi engine enables further reduces noise and vibration, especially during acceleration from low speeds.
A glass fibre bonnet insulation package (fitted to all petrol and diesel models) dramatically reduces vehicle sound levels.
And numerous technical modifications, aimed at reducing or even completely eliminating rogue mechanical noises, have been incorporated in the 406.
Notable among these are the use of the lower suspension pivot ball joint from the Coupé, which has the advantage of improving flexible movement whilst reducing noise-generating friction.
Teflon rings on the rear anti-roll bar bearings, sheathing on the spring ends and sound deadening mouldings in the passenger compartment further reduce noise levels.

The current dashboard design is retained with some significant improvements.
For example, the front passenger airbag cover as this is now integrated, and functions by bursting through the dashboard skin. This technology makes it possible to have a smooth dash top for a cleaner finish.
The dashboard with wood trim undergoes a subtle modification with a "walnut" wood insert, which is lighter and warmer