The New Peugeot 308 Se - Peugeot have put the cat amongst the pigeons
by replacing the 307 hatchbacks with a new model especially for 2008 rather
aptly named the 308. Keeping the tall architect concept that first adorned
the 307 back in 2001, which gave the 307 copious amount of space and big
feel factor, the new model range 308 boasts better equipment and
specifications than its predecessor.

It is also safer too, having been awarded an impressive five stars in the
Euro NCAP rating for front and side impact, four stars for child protection
and three stars for pedestrian protection.

Customers can chose from five trims levels, Urban, S, Sport, SE or top of
the range GT mated to six engines. Depending on the model, the 308 can
be purchased in a three or five door variant, five or six speed manual
transmission with an automatic option only on the 1.6 litre engines. Prices
range from around the £15,000 rising to just over £20,000 that might initially
appear to be rather steep until you look at the comprehensive list of
equipment the 308 is blessed with.

Of course with the large glass windows and panoramic glass roof, the
interior was also a very bright place to be in.

Wet weather spray caused by heavy goods vehicles is amongst the most serious everyday driving hazards with which road users have to contend. Now, a patented innovation by a British company, Spraydown Limited, has achieved a major reduction in spray obscuration – over and above the performance of existing mandatory spray suppression equipment. The device, which will make its debut appearance at next month’s Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, has been granted full type approval under EU regulations.

The system comprises a rigid panel, made up of a series of fixed, vertical, lightweight, extruded vanes. Each vane incorporates three shaped channels which, when assembled in sequence, form a progressive series of water trapping gullies. The spray plume around the vehicle is also significantly reduced, lowered and controlled and associated aerodynamics effectively draws the air swirl and excess water spray back within the vehicle envelope.

Spraydown Managing Director, Steve Nesbitt says, “Improving visibility for following or passing motorists is about to take a step change and that is important both for road safety and for the image of the road transport industry and its operators. If we can deliver the predicted reduced drag and fuel savings as well, then the adoption of our new technology spray suppression system will also make a contribution to the environment. Most of the current spray suppression devices date back to the original mandatory requirement in 1991. Traffic density, vehicle design, aerodynamics and the performance and technology of composite materials have all moved on and these factors have had a significant influence in the development of the Spraydown system.”

It can be easily used by unscrewing the tyre valve cap from the commercial vehicle tyre and replacing it with the P-eye monitoring device. The P-eye measures the preset minimum tyre pressure and passes this on to the signalling LED. If the tyre pressure drops more than 5 per cent below the ideal pressure the LED lamp starts blinking. The driver knows then that the pressure of this particular tyre is too low and the tyre should be inflated.

As such, when a fleet of vehicles are parked on site, it is not necessary to check every single tyre, but action is only necessary on tyres where the LEDs are blinking. Statistically it has been found that approximately a quarter of all commercial vehicle tyres are not sufficiently inflated.

This increases wear with about 15- 20%. Practically all blowouts and resulting accidents are caused by a too low tyre pressure. This patented new device which can make commercial vehicles safer, and saves money for the operators, is being launched in the UK at the Commercial Vehicle Show, Birmingham

 
The first in its class, the 206CC is an attractive three-door hatchback with a metal folding roof. The popular 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine was added to the mix for a very appealing combination. Whether cruising with the top up or down the 206cc delivers an excellent ride. The 206 CC’s goodlooks are very
appealing and still greatly resembles the 206 even with the addition of a flat rear deck. The car looks like a very attractive coupe but can be changed into an equally attractive cabriolet in a matter of seconds.

The roof requires the release of two hatches and the press of a button. The Peugeot 206 CC roof design cuts down on cabin space, the cabin has been shortened and the rear deck has been extended. The rear seats do not provide good passenger space and should only be used occasionally. The boot is a good size though, but when the roof is folded boot space is limited. The Peugeot 206cc 1.6-litre HDi engine provides a quiet and smooth ridewith impressive performance, even with the top down. Despite the increased weight of the CC the engine still supplies ample power. The engine also provides good fuel economy making the cabriolet very economical. The CC boasts respectable ride quality and excellent handling.


The CC is a fun car to drive. The diesel engine provides plenty of power and the car’s steering is sharp. The suspension is firm and delivers good grip, and the car delivers a smooth but lively ride. Buyers will enjoy the ride and all the fun on offer. The Peugeot 206cc standard audio system includes a JBL system, with eight speakers and an in-the-boot bass box. The systems out put has been increased to 240 watts. The sound quality is good and the extra output helps to maintain sound quality with the top down.

   
12 years after its market debut, the Peugeot Partner replaced
by its next generation model. The new Peugeot Partner will go
on sale in the second half of 2008 as the Partner Tepee
(passenger version) and the regular Partner LCV. The outgoing
model will still be available in certain markets, but will be
re-branded to Partner Origin.

With the launch of the new Partner, the first generation Partner
model will, however, continue to be sold in certain countries with
a reduced range of models and will be known as the Partner Origin.

The new Peugeot Partner: professional efficiency down
to the last detail
With a refreshing and dynamic style which is perfectly adapted to
the demands of its professional customerbase, both with regards to
quality, durability and efficiency, the new Partner is the perfect
working companion due to its versatility and value for money. In
terms of practicality, the new Partner has a maximum load capacity
which will be a new reference point in the small van segment. With
a length of 4.38m the new Partner has a load volume of 3.3m3 and
a maximum payload of up to 850kg. The load area length of 1.8m
can also be extended to 3m thanks to the new innovative Multi-Flex
passenger seat, giving 400 litres of additional load space. This
innovative feature allows three people to sit in the front which is the
first time this option has been available in the small van segment.

Thanks to the use of the Peugeot 308 power train, the new Partner
benefits from improved acoustic comfort,combined with an ergonomic
driving position and excellent visibility. This all combines to give the
new Partner a level of quality which will symbolise this new generation
of small vans. The new Partner puts the finishing touches to the complete
enhancement and renewal of the Peugeot range of light commercial
vehicles. The new and extended range which is even more innovative,
offers a range of vehicles from 2.5m3 to 17m3, consisting of the Bipper,
Partner Origin, new Partner, Expert and Boxer.

Peugeot Partner Tepee: the MPV that lets you enjoy the freedom
of the open road.
The new Partner Tepee MPV represents the next generation of a concept
invented by Peugeot in 1996. The Partner Tepee is a multi-usage vehicle
which is practical and which has a modern and original style both, on the
inside and the outside. Its modular styling will appeal to customers requiring
space and versatility. Most notably, it has a new Zenith multi-purpose roof
providing even more light into the passenger compartment, three individual
folding rear seats, greater interior space and driving qualities worthy of a
modern hatchback car.

Adventure seekers, however, will also love its all-terrain capabilities and the
personalised design of the Partner Tepee Outdoor.

The Peugeot 4007 is the first SUV to be launched by Peugeot and
extends the brand virtues of style, dynamism, innovation and quality.
Positioned in the heart of the SUV market, 4007 has been designed
to attract new customers who are looking for something distinctive.

Not only are they experts in 4x4 technology they are renowned for
the high manufacturing quality and durability of their vehicles. For
Peugeot it is a win-win situation. Being a late-comer to an established
sector Peugeot have a little bit of catching up to do in customer and
media awareness that they now have an SUV model on the market..
To launch the 4007 to the motoring media this week Peugeot said they
wanted a ‘memorable’ event. Well they have done just that.

The Mitsubishi 2WD, 4WD or 4WD Lock drive system used for the
4007 is superb. The driver just uses a dial to select which mode and
the changes take place seamlessly.

On the very wet roads we encountered on our way to deepest Wiltshire,
4WD was used giving the vehicle a well balanced performance under
acceleration and during cornering. The extra grip was welcome and it
reduces the tendency for the vehicle to oversteer during cornering.

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 availablewith 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.


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 new
comer 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
turbo charged 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.

The Peugeot 107 is a city car produced by the French automaker Peugeot since summer 2005.

The 107 was developed by the B-Zero project of Peugeot and Citroën in a joint-venture with Toyota; the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo are rebadged versions of the same car. All three are built at the new facilities of the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech joint-venture in the city of Kolin, Czech
Republic. It is a four-seater available as a three or five-door hatchback. The 107 replaces the 106, which ceased production at the end of 2003 after 12 years.

Peugeot believes that the 107 will appeal to a younger audience between the ages of 18 and 24, with 68% being women drivers. This is a difficult market to crack as it is all about credability, fortunately Peugeot have found favour with the younger generation. Personally I find it hard to believe that many young men will aspire to the Peugeot 107 but I guess time will tell.

So far the 107 has proved to be quite popular with British buyers, giving them a more modern and practical alternative to the likes of the Ford Ka and Vauxhall Agila.

The 2007 season turned out to be one of the most rewarding ever for Peugeot Sport which launched four different new cars on the world motor sport scene, from the factory programme with the 908 HDi FAP to  its package of promotional formulae with the 207 LW THP, 207 Super 2000 and Spider THP.

• For : Superb V6 diesel, refinement, good value
• Against : Cabin lacks quality, handling degenerates when pressed, weight blunts performance