At the water's edge
Everything about the 806 calls to mind watersports, be it the body or interior, the fittings, choice of fabric and colour scheme, or even the terms that refer to it. The teak wood/stainless metal combination is indicative of the close affinity with yachts and luxury boats. The most avant-garde technology is used in all the fixtures.
The French Riviera, the Alpine lakes of Northern Italy, Florida and California are all perfect settings for driving the 806 Runabout.
Unrivalled beauty
The unrivalled beauty of the 806 Runabout is largely due to the harmony of its style, the balance between the main, slender lines and the curvilinear front and rear, all encased in a pearl-white body with immaculate cockpit windows.
The 806 Runabout is powered by a 3 litre V6 Peugeot engine with a self-adjusting, electronically-managed automatic gearbox. All the inner and outer features, whether they are functional or purely decorative, are the result of aesthetic research bordering on artistic creation.
A teak runner decorates the streamlined sides. Specially sculpted tyres fit neatly onto original magnesium wheels.
In slight contrast with the V-shaped hull of the traditional runabout, the front is curved and cheerful, featuring the prowling Lion and almond-shaped headlamps; both well-known Peugeot hallmarks. This logo, along with two red lights, is also incorporated into the design of the rear.
The interior of the passenger compartment pushes sophistication to the extreme. The floor, door armrests and dashboard are all in solid teak.
The blue tone of the alcantara seat upholstery adds an additional touch of harmony, matching the blue-tinted windows.
The subtle technological touch
The designers wanted the dashboard design to integrate both the original 806 dashboard design and the boating theme, particularly visible in the use of shapes in the form of waves or the hull of a boat.
The steering wheel and gear-lever are, in their own respect, works of art. The airbag is contained in the middle of the steering wheel, which is decorated with blue alcantara with a teak chrome-ringed lining. The wheel itself has a rope upholstery covering made from natural cord. As for the gear-lever, the marine theme is reflected in the crystal-clear blue veneer, illuminated by optic fibres and electroluminescent wires.
A discrete use of avant-garde technology is found in the luxury equipment features. The central, stainless display features highly sophisticated controls for a Hi-fi system and air conditioning. Like the 806, it also has the gear selector for the automatic gearbox. A winch is included in its base.
The CD player with its original design can be folded away, and the valve amplifier at the base of the windscreen is part of the air heating system.
An electronic key, in the shape of a futuristic pen, takes care of releasing the steering lock, initiates the engine calculator and starts the engine. Its multipurpose, infrared "plip" is used for the remote-control central locking system, setting the alarm and operating the mobile ramp and winch to facilitate loading.
Driver and passenger airbags add to the safety of the passengers. The storage compartments are tucked away in the teak dashboard and driver's door.
