Earlier Edition / Latter Edition (Exterior difference)

    The era of 405 (1987-1996?) can be roughly divided into two: Earlier edition (1987-1992) and Latter edition (1992-1996?). You may think that there are no big differences between them, but actually there is a rather wide "gulf" between these two era: these two editions are different just like another models.

    However, there are few exterior differences that distinguishes earlier / latter edition. The front design is completely the same. The only significant difference can be found at the design around the rear section of the body.

    You may notice the different design of rear lights (earlier edition's just wider than latter edition's). And as for the trunk panels, it is opened just above the rear bumper in the latter edition, while just above the rear lights & rear garnish plate in the earlier edition.

    BTW, as for the Break models, there are no exterior differences between earlier and latter editions, without looking at interior design (or looking inside underbonnet engine room...).

Earlier Edition / Latter Edition (Interior difference)

    Interior design is one of the main point that divides the era of 405. Earlier edition of 405 has unique but "rather-cheaper-look" interior, while latter edition's interior gains much quality but looks just like "that of Japanese cars (no fun!)".
    The significant interior differences can be summerized as below:

    The quality of switch operation (pushing switches, turning levers, etc...) is definitely improved in the latter edition. The rigidity of interior facia / panels / units is also much improved (although cannot win against that of Japanese automobile...).
    However, as for interface design, latter edition seems rather retrogressive.

    For example, take a look at air conditioner switches. It is undefinitely true that the dial adjusters gives much easy operation, especially under the use without looking at (sliding switches doesn't tell us absolute position under blind operation). I wonder why the excellent dial adjuster had been replaced with sliding adjuster...

    Instrument panel of the earlier edition is a production of VEGLIA, while latter edition's panel is made by Jager. The layout of meters (speedmeter, tachometer etc.) is basically the same. Personally I prefer the design of the instrument panel of earlier edition.

    The showings and qualities of the seat is slightly different. Basically there are two types: a fabric seat and a leather seat. As for leather seats, the earlier edition's are rather tightly surface-tensioned (just like those of German cars...), while the latter edition's are much loosened and give softer feelings. But the amount of sink when sitting on the latter edition's leather seat is just shallow, thus it doesn't gives greater comfortability than that of earlier edition (in my personal opinion...).
    The fabric seat mounted on 405 is nothing but excellent. It gives great comfortability when sitting on it.

    Finally the door inner trim panel. The way how the trim is fitted is different between earlier models and latter models. In the earlier edition, plastic parts of the trim comes deteriorated as the time passes, and the trim gets "floated" just like the picture shown below. This will never happen as for the latter edition.

Earlier Edition / Latter Edition (Bodyworks etc.)

    In addition to the "visible" differences described all above, many other differences improvements exists in earlier models -> latter models. To summerize, rigidity of the body (by adding welding points in the chasis), softer comfortability when riding on (changing suspension settings, better bearings), and the revamped engines. However, along with gaining the rigidity of the body, the body weighs about 100kg heavier: it may be a biggest handicap under sporty drive.

    As for the engines, you may find detailed description in the previous page.

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Wow. BTW, how's it like when driving?

Last Updated: 10:36:16 JST, 04/05/2004 .