207 SW
Peugeot announces the Peugeot 207, the newest member of the legendary
2 series dynasty, which has seen over 13.2 million cars produced since the
launch of the 201 in 1929. When the Peugeot 206 replaced the legendary Peugeot 205, nobody could have known what a success it was going to be. With over 5.4 million
Peugeot 206s produced, it has become the best selling Peugeot ever. At launch, the 207 will be available
with a range of six engine options with a five speed manual gearbox on all versions.

The 207 will also see the introduction of a number of new innovative features, such as static directional
headlamps, which make it easier to identify a pedestrian about to cross the road when driving in town, or
a cyclist riding at the side of the road.

The availability of a fragrance diffuser will make the 207 the first Peugeot vehicle to be available with
this feature. It is discreetly incorporated into the fascia panel, and diffuses a chosen scent into the
passenger compartment. Seven individual fragrances will be available and all have been specially developed
by a leading French perfume supplier.

Safety is a key Peugeot strength and the 207 will not disappoint, with six airbags fitted as standard.
The 207 also borrows from the 407 the use of two front impact absorption structures. These structures
distribute impact energy more efficiently in the event of a collision and also enhance repairability and
pedestrian protection.

The structure of the 207 has been designed to resist impact levels even more severe than those of
regulatory or Euro NCAP tests. The 207 is also one of the first vehicles to be designed to meet the
requirements of the new European directive concerning pedestrian impact protection.

The 207 will see many future developments over the coming years, including innovations in terms of high
tech engines and equipment (Stop and Start), new body styles etc….. Before the end of 2006, two new
engines developed as part of the partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroën and the BMW Group will make
their first appearance in the 207.


207 CC
Top that!Exclusive images in this week's mag reveal the roadgoing version of Peugeot's 207 CC, and our
spy photographer had to be quick to capture its new roof. Just moments after spotting the undisguised
cabrio, its driver hastily retracted the clever folding metal hard-top, before making tracks. The newcomer
is set to replace the popular 206 CC and take on rivals such as the Nissan Micra C+C and Vauxhall Tigra.
Company bosses hope it will leap straight to the top of the class thanks to its new 1.6 litre petrol
engines.

Co-developed with BMW, the normally aspirated unit will be available with outputs of 115bhp and 130bhp.
Performance fans will also be able to get a turbocharged version from the GT, which produces 150bhp and
gives a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds. The 207 CC debuted at the Paris Motor Show last month in
concept form as the all-white hydrogen-powered EPURE. Fans of the pretty show car will note the chrome
rollover bars behind the second row of seats have made it into production, along with the exposed alloy
strip where the hood meets the bootlid. The roadgoing car will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor
Show in March, and will hit UK showrooms next summer.

Driving
The 207 CC has a chassis that's something of a mixed bag. Starting with the positives, the ride is superb,
with supple damping and first-class bump isolation. Even the largest of potholes register as a distant
thud, while surface changes are absorbed without fuss. On the negative side, the steering is far too light
and feels nervous at speed. Although turn-in is crisp, there's precious little connection between the
driver and the road.

Marketplace
When the original 206 CC was shown in concept form in 2000, most thought Peugeot was playing a practical
joke. A folding hard-top? On a supermini? Nobody could quite work out how the French firm was going to
pull it off. But it did, and the 206 CC was one of the UK's best-selling convertibles for nearly five
years. Don't therefore underestimate the pressure that car's successor, the 207, is under. While the 206
virtually had the sector to itself, this Peugeot has some serious competition: MINI, Vauxhall Tigra,
Mitsubishi Colt CZC, Nissan Micra C+C, even sister firm Citroen's C3 Pluriel - all are after the 207's
blood. Luckily, the stylists have done a good job. Gone are the flabby wings and top-heavy stance of the
206, replaced with sharper lines and a more svelte profile. The 207 CC has almost a roadster-like stance.
It also has roadster-like power in the range-topping 1.6-litre THP 150 variant, though the non-turbo 1.6
120 variant will sell best. There's also a 1.6 HDi 110 turbodiesel.

Owning
It's obvious from the interior that the 207 CC has been taken upmarket. Gone are the 206's cheap plastics,
for a positively premium feel. From the double-stitched (but optional) leather to the reach and rake
adjustable steering column, it's clear Peugeot wanted to build a car that would appeal to a wider
audience. Indeed, the driving position is almost spot-on - though in common with other supermini CCs, the
rear seats are virtually unusable, with near vertical backrests and a very short squab. In terms of its
roof arrangement, the 207 has some welcome improvements over the 206. It's now fully automatic, with no
catches to fiddle with, and can be operated at speeds of up to 6mph. With it up, the boot is a huge 449
litres, and while top-down capacity is reduced, a couple of decently sized squashy bags can easily be
stowed. It's even better in terms of long-term ownership, with impressive fuel economy quoted for all
engines, and retained values likely to be superb.