{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 1994 Peugeot 605 SLi 2.0 Front.jpg | name = Peugeot 605 | manufacturer = [[Peugeot]] | class = [[Executive car]] ([[E-segment|E]]) | production = July 1989 &ndash; September 1999 | predecessor = [[Peugeot 604]]<br />[[Talbot Tagora]] | successor = [[Peugeot 607]] | related = [[Citroën XM]]<ref name="citroenet.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/xm/xm-15.html|title=Citroën XM|access-date=2011-11-28|work=citroenet.org.uk}}</ref> | engine = {{ubl | 2.0L ''[[PSA XU engine#XU10|XU10]]'' [[Inline-four engine|I4]] | 2.0L ''[[PSA XU engine#XU10|XU10 J4R]]'' 16V I4 | 2.0L ''[[PSA XU engine#XU10|XU10 J2TE]]'' [[Turbocharger|turbo]] I4 | 3.0L ''[[V6 PRV engine|ZPJ]]'' [[V6 engine|V6]] | 3.0L ''[[V6 PRV engine|ZPJ4]]'' 24V V6 | 2.9L ''[[V6 ESL engine|ES9J4]]'' [[DOHC]] 24V V6 | 2.1L ''[[PSA XUD#XUD11|XUD11 BTE]]'' 12V [[Turbodiesel|TD]] I4 | 2.1L ''[[PSA XUD#XUD11|XUD11 A]]'' 12V [[Diesel engine|diesel]] I4 | 2.5L ''DK5ATE'' 12V [[Turbodiesel|TD]] I4 }} | length = {{convert|4763|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | wheelbase = {{convert|2799|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|1798|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|1419|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|1500|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} | body_style = 4-door [[Saloon (car)|saloon]] | layout = [[FF layout]] | designer = [[Pininfarina]] | caption = | assembly = France: [[Sochaux]]<br/>France: [[Vesoul]] }} The '''Peugeot 605''' is an [[executive car]] produced by the [[France|French]] manufacturer [[Peugeot]] between 1989 and 1999, with a facelift in 1995.

==History== {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = horizontal | width = 180 | image1 = Peugeot 605 2.0 SLi 1994 (34736983654).jpg | caption1 = Peugeot 605 pre-facelift | image2 = Peugeot 605 SV 3.0 (2).jpg | caption2 = Peugeot 605 pre-facelift (rear) }} {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = horizontal | width = 180 | image3 = Peugeot 605 2.0 SRi 1995 (15237453109).jpg | caption3 = Peugeot 605 post facelift | image4 = Peugeot 605 red hr.jpg | caption4 = Peugeot 605 post facelift (rear) }} The 605 was a [[sedan (car)|saloon]] built on the same platform as the [[Citroën XM]] and was the successor to the critically well received, but slow selling, [[Peugeot 604]], which went out of production four years earlier.<ref>Buckley, Classic & Sportscar (January 2007), p. 149</ref> The popular [[Peugeot 505]] model was thus phased out in the end of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s in favour of two cars, the [[large family car]] [[Peugeot 405|405]] and the executive car 605.

Peugeot kept the estate version of the 505 in production until 1992, and had planned to replace it with an estate version of the 605, but this was eventually abandoned.

The car was launched in July 1989 in left-hand drive form; a right-hand version was launched onto the British market during the first half of 1990. At the time of the original launch, only petrol engines were available.

In April 1990, the turbodiesel followed, and the naturally aspirated diesel was added in autumn 1990.<ref name="salon91">{{Cite journal | ref = s91 | editor-last = Bellu | editor-first = René | date = September 1990 | title = Salon: Toutes les Voitures du Monde 90/91 | issue = 14 & 15 | page = 145 | publisher = Homme N°1 | journal = L'Auto Journal | location = Paris | language = fr }}</ref>

High equipment levels, a luxurious interior, a smooth ride, and exceptional handling were strong points for the 605. But [[Peugeot]] had always struggled to succeed with large cars outside France and the 605 was no different. It was too similar in design and appearance to the smaller [[Peugeot 405]] to command a price premium, while its dashboard also drew criticism for its uninspired design.

[[PSA Peugeot Citroën]], like [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]]/[[Opel]], has not been able to address the "luxury brand" issue effectively, the automobile market seeming to reward [[Market segment|segmentation]] by brands from one factory, like [[Lexus]]/[[Toyota]], [[Acura]]/[[Honda]], and [[Audi]]/[[Volkswagen]].

Also like the XM, the 605 initially suffered from quality issues that resulted in a number of breakdowns or malfunctions (particularly with the ambitious electrics).<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.autonews.com/article/19960513/SUB/605130802/peugeot-plans-706-successor-to-605-sedan | title = Peugeot plans '706' successor to 605 sedan | work = Automotive News | date = 1996-05-13 | last = Kable | first = Greg | publisher = Crain Communications, Inc. }}</ref> An extensive recall operation took place at great cost, in which most of the engine room wiring and exhaust system (as well as multiple other parts) were exchanged, but by then the damage to the car's reputation had been done.

In 1995, Peugeot tried to solve the problems by unveiling an extensively revamped 605 (known as the "Phase 2" model); it received a facelift which looked modern at its time, but also the interior was vastly improved by giving it more ergonomic controls and a refreshed look. The naturally aspirated diesel was discontinued at this time, as the new [[Peugeot 406|406]] was placed to supplant the lower specification 605s.

Performance and handling were improved as well, and some of the reliability issues were solved. Technological advances were made, most remarkably the side airbags, although sales remained low.

After the launch of the well received [[Peugeot 406]] (that was larger than the 405 it replaced) in 1995, 605 sales dropped to near insignificant levels, and it was quietly dropped in September 1999. The 605's successor, the [[Peugeot 607]], was launched in the autumn of 1999, and was slightly more successful on the domestic and export markets.

The end of 605 production in 1999 spelled the end of the "05" generation [[Peugeot]]s in [[Europe]] after more than twenty years, this generation had started in 1977, with the [[Peugeot 305|305]].

A 605 served as a French presidential state car, being used to drive around president [[François Mitterrand]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photo 14 - En quoi roulent les présidents de la Vème République française ? |url=https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/en-quoi-roulent-les-presidents-de-la-veme-republique-francaise-637142-10435119-diapo.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.largus.fr}}</ref>

==Design and styling== Its appearance resembles that of the [[Alfa Romeo 164]], launched in 1987, and also styled by [[Pininfarina]].<ref name="thetruthaboutcars.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/01/curbside-classic-1991-alfa-romeo-164/|title=Curbside Classic: 1991 Alfa Romeo 164|access-date=2011-11-28|work=thetruthaboutcars.com|date=11 January 2010 }}</ref> Despite the resemblance, the Peugeot did not use the [[Type Four platform]]; it rode the same platform as the [[Citroën XM]].<ref name="ateupwithmotor.com">{{Cite web|url=http://ateupwithmotor.com/luxury-and-personal-luxury-cars/169-alfa-romeo-164-type-four-cars.html|title=Four of a Kind: The Alfa Romeo 164 and the "Type Four" Cars|access-date=2011-11-28|work=ateupwithmotor.com|date=13 June 2009 }}</ref> As it closely followed Peugeot's [[design language]] of the time, the 605 bears a strong visual resemblance to the smaller [[Peugeot 405]], this was generally considered to harm the 605 in the marketplace, as the car was not distinguished enough from its lower cost brethren.<ref name="s91.68">[[#s91|''Salon 90/91'']], p. 68</ref>

==Engines== [[File:Peugeot 605 V6 engine.JPG|thumb|right|Peugeot 605 V6 12V (petrol engine)]] Eight petrol engines were offered during the 605's lifetime: * 2.0 litre 8 valve carbureted inline four, {{convert|84|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.0 litre 8 valve fuel injected inline four, {{convert|79|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.0 litre 8 valve fuel injected inline four, {{convert|89|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} – a non-catalyzed version available in multiple markets produces {{convert|94|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=im91>{{cite magazine | magazine = Intan Motor | title = Produk Baru: Peugeot 605 SRi, cuma rp 120 juta | trans-title = New Product: Peugeot 605 SRi, only 120 million rupiah | date = 1991-10-02 | issn = 0215-7713 | number = 91 | publisher = Yayasan Beraya Press | location = Jakarta | language = id | editor-last = Mustmar | editor-first = Andi | pages = 8–9 }}</ref> * 2.0 litre 8 valve fuel injected turbocharged inline four, {{convert|108|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.0 litre 16 valve fuel injected inline four, {{convert|97|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 3.0 litre 12 valve fuel injected V6, {{convert|123|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 3.0 litre 24 valve fuel injected V6, {{convert|147|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.9 litre 24 valve fuel injected V6, {{convert|140|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}}

As well as three diesel engines: * 2.1 litre 12 valve normally aspirated inline four, indirect injection, {{convert|60|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.1 litre 12 valve turbocharged inline four, indirect injection, {{convert|80|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}} * 2.5-litre 12 valve turbocharged inline four, indirect injection, {{convert|95|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on}}

The carbureted four cylinder petrol engine and the normally aspirated diesel (which arrived for the model year of 1991), though reliable, were generally considered to be simply over matched by the car's weight. Even the turbodiesel came in for such criticism, with its hard working engine requiring as much fuel as its bigger competitors.<ref name="s91.69">[[#s91|''Salon 90/91'']], p. 69</ref>

The fuel injected inline four was better received though it was criticised for lacking low and mid range punch, whereas the powerful {{cvt|170|PS|kW|0|disp=flip}} [[V6]] suffered from criticisms over poor fuel economy when combined with an automatic gearbox. In the beginning of 1993, all PRV V6 engines lost 12&nbsp;cc of engine displacement, in order to fit in a lower taxation class in Switzerland.

The same issue affected the top of the range V6 24 version, in spite of its all new twenty four valve cylinder head, though a top speed of {{cvt|235|km/h}} made poor fuel economy more acceptable to generally well heeled customers. The 2.1 turbo diesel was widely regarded {{According to whom|date=November 2010}} as a good powertrain, but was outclassed by the new [[fuel injection#Direct injection systems|direct injection]] engines introduced in 1988 by [[Audi]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

A 2.0 litre (8 valve) turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine {{cvt|147|PS|kW|0|disp=flip}} was added in 1991, and provided good performance but proved unreliable. Later, a 2.5 turbodiesel {{cvt|129|PS|kW|0|disp=flip}} completed the diesel lineup. In 1997, the antiquated 3.0 litre V6 engines were replaced at long last by a unified V6 option: an all new 2.9 litre, 24 valve, {{cvt|140|kW|PS bhp|0}} [[V6]].

==Fiction== The Peugeot 605 is featured prominently in the [[Ronin (film)#Production|car chase]] scenes of [[John Frankenheimer]]'s film ''[[Ronin (film)|Ronin]]'' (1998). In the first chase, three Peugeot 605s are escorting a [[Citroën XM]] carrying a mysterious briefcase, where it comes under attack by mercenaries, including the character played by [[Robert De Niro]].

== Sales == A total of 254,505 units have been produced. All came from Sochaux factory, except for 192 units manufactured in Vesoul (between 1991 and 1992).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Peugeot 605 : les chiffres de production modèle par modèle - Station Haxo|url=https://www.stationhaxo.fr/2022/07/20/peugeot-605-les-chiffres-de-production-modele-par-modele/|website=www.stationhaxo.fr|language=fr-FR|date=2022-07-20|access-date=2022-09-22}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Peugeot 605}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070817161300/http://www.peugeotserie6.com/ Peugeot 605 (FR) web site]

{{Peugeot}} {{Peugeot timeline 1980 to date}}

[[Category:Peugeot vehicles|605]] [[Category:Executive cars]] [[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:1990s cars]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1989]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1999]]