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FOR well over two decades, Peugeot has been big in the world of the hot hatchback, the French carmaker having kick-started the trend back in the 80s with the legendary 205 GTi.

At the time, this pocket rocket swiftly proved to be a small car with a big personality and, if you remember the world of BMX Bikes, Ghostbusters and Beverly Hills Cop at the cinema, the A-Team and Robin of Sherwood on TV, plus, the emergence of The Smiths and Madonna in the pop world, all neatly chronicled in your new journal of the time, the Filofax, then you must have been around at its birth in 1984.

Over the nine years which followed, Peugeot sold some 332,942 205 GTi’s worldwide (61,226 in the UK) before the 206 GTi got in on the act in 1999 and Peugeot then retailed around the thick end of 20,000 in the UK before the model finally bowed out in the spring of 2006, to make way for further progress.

The 207 picked up the baton last summer bringing a further touch of class to the supermini sector, becoming almost an instant success, and, come June the 207 GTi steps up to complete the range and write the next chapter in Peugeot‘s history of small performance cars.

This modern-day evolution of 80s hot hatchery comes bearing a reputation for being practical and easy to live with in town and country and boasts the interior space to accommodate occupants and their belongings with some ease.

It also houses the dynamic ability to provide a driving experience to arouse and satisfy the enthusiast but, unlike the original, the 205, this GTi ensures that everything is done in a much more mature and refined manner.

This car proves that hot hatches can still be fast and fun, while proving safe and comfortable at the same time, as befits the holder of a five-star Euro NCAP certificate for occupant protection.

In a neatly set-out cabin which has that solid and classy feel of quality, instrumentation is agreeably to hand with the dash housing a five-dial instrument panel featuring, alongside the drilled-out foot pedals, more than a hint of the GTi’s sporting prowess in a driving environment which is blessed with decent room up front.

However, while kneeroom in the rear will not suit everyone, the boot is pretty generous and the luggage area can be extended via folding rear seats.

A good amount of kit is provided in the three-door GTi with the likes of a sound system with single CD, manual air con, electric front windows, powered and heated door mirrors and trip computer all coming as standard.

There are also six airbags, deadlocks and an alarm system and driver safety aids include ABS braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD) and Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) to rein in the power plus switchable Electronic Stability Program (ESP), while the likes of rear parking sensors, cruise control, tyre pressure detector system and panoramic glass roof are available as options.

Sports-style bucket seating for all four occupants is comfortably supportive and there is plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel and driver’s seat height to provide a driving position to suit most.

Powered by a 1.6-litre THP 175bhp petrol engine paired with a swift-slotting five-speed manual gear change, the 207 GTi responds promptly to deliver a 0-62mph time of 7.1 seconds, a top speed of 137mph and a surprisingly frugal mpg of almost 40 overall.

This is all down to some decidedly torquey output, especially when the overboost kicks in from the turbocharged 175bhp engine – a piece of kit which the 207 GTi shares with the latest Mini Cooper S. It is a 16-valve unit which is a new addition to the petrol engine family which has been developed in co-operation between PSA Peugeot Citroen and the BMW Group.

This turbo engine has also recently won the Engine of the Year Award for the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category.

Flaunting a decidedly desirable image and mounted on 17-inch nine-spoke alloys, the 207 GTi delivers a great drive, providing stacks of grip when in tight corners and, while the electric power steering responds in sharp and direct fashion, the whole operation, apart from some road noise along the way, is conducted in pretty refined fashion.

Overall, this is yet another fine effort from Peugeot, showing that, despite the changing rules along the way which have dictated a more grown-up approach to warm and hot hatchery, the French car maker has lost none of its edge in the search for dynamic excellence.

At £14,995, the 207 GTi quite seriously undercuts some of its immediate hot hatch rivals, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR at £15,595, Mini Cooper S at £16,025 and the Renault Clio Sport at £15,995. With this GTi the scene looks set fair for more hot hatchery success for the Gallic car giant.

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WE all like air conditioning in our cars, but turning it off improves economy and performance with smaller engines.

Peugeot is therefore daft not to include an off button in the 407, which means the air con is costing all the time.

The gatemouthed 407 is ugly in my book but the 1.6 HDi I drove did have a silvered mesh grill which looks a good deal better.

It’s very accomplished in every way with excellent comfort over all surfaces plus tremendous grip, well-balanced roadholding and safe handling.

The 1.6 turbo diesel has 110bhp, which is just about enough to handle the weight but there’s nothing to spare.

Acceleration in fifth is slow but, on the plus side, economy is brilliant and the engine is as smooth and quiet as most petrols.

All models come with a minimal sat nav system that works well and equipment is well up with the opposition.

A height adjustable seat and steering column make a very good driving position and all the controls are light and easy.

The power steering is excellent, there’s a good left foot rest and both the boot and rear legroom are a good size.

FAST FACTS

Peugeot 407 SE HDi 110 4dr

Price: £17,545

Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel driving front wheels via a 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 119mph

0-62mph: 11.7 secs

Combined mpg: 53.2

Insurance group: 8

CO2 emissions: 140g/km

BiK rating: 18%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000, 12yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust

MY Grandad used to really amuse me in his big old Peugeot by beating young men in hot hatches off the line at the traffic lights. The incredible thing about his enormous saloon was that no one really noticed it, but with a 3.0-litre engine it could go like the clappers.

If you are a car enthusiast you will be familiar with the Q car concept. In a nutshell it is an understated car that can really shift. These cars are usually hideously expensive new. But they also tend to suffer what I call ‘instant depreciation.’

Here are three bargain Q Cars:

Peugeot 607 (2000-present)

Lots of equipment and a very cosseting ride. It suffers sudden depreciation due to the lack of a prestige badge and the complex electrics that can lead to expensive repairs. All that means buyers get a luxury car for less.

Most economical: 2.0 Hdi – 47.1mpg

Best used buy: 2.2 SE

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 9

Price: A year 2002 3.0 V6 with 50,000 will be around £6,250 at a dealer.

Volvo S80 (1998-present)

A very spacious, very stylish and very safe saloon. A genuine alternative to the German executive models, but it is much cheaper and comes with more equipment as standard.

Most economical: 2.4 D5 – 46.3mpg

Best used buy: 2.4 170bhp with Comfort Pack.

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 16

Price: A year 2002 2.4T with 50,000 miles will be around £6,200 at a dealer.

Vauxhall Omega (1994-2003)

A comfortable, reliable and understated executive car. The number on the market and the Vauxhall badge hits prices hard. But the Vauxhall badge and design also makes it very stealthy. Add the strong engines and you have the ultimate Q car.

Most economical: 2.0Dti – 39.2mpg

Best used buy: 2.2 16 valve CDX

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 9

Price: A year 2002 3.2 V6 with 40,000 miles will be around £6,250 at a dealer.

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MY Grandad used to really amuse me in his big old Peugeot by beating young men in hot hatches off the line at the traffic lights. The incredible thing about his enormous saloon was that no one really noticed it, but with a 3.0-litre engine it could go like the clappers.

If you are a car enthusiast you will be familiar with the Q car concept. In a nutshell it is an understated car that can really shift. These cars are usually hideously expensive new. But they also tend to suffer what I call ‘instant depreciation.’

Here are three bargain Q Cars:

Peugeot 607 (2000-present)

Lots of equipment and a very cosseting ride. It suffers sudden depreciation due to the lack of a prestige badge and the complex electrics that can lead to expensive repairs. All that means buyers get a luxury car for less.

Most economical: 2.0 Hdi – 47.1mpg

Best used buy: 2.2 SE

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 9

Price: A year 2002 3.0 V6 with 50,000 will be around £6,250 at a dealer.

Volvo S80 (1998-present)

A very spacious, very stylish and very safe saloon. A genuine alternative to the German executive models, but it is much cheaper and comes with more equipment as standard.

Most economical: 2.4 D5 – 46.3mpg

Best used buy: 2.4 170bhp with Comfort Pack.

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 16

Price: A year 2002 2.4T with 50,000 miles will be around £6,200 at a dealer.

Vauxhall Omega (1994-2003)

A comfortable, reliable and understated executive car. The number on the market and the Vauxhall badge hits prices hard. But the Vauxhall badge and design also makes it very stealthy. Add the strong engines and you have the ultimate Q car.

Most economical: 2.0Dti – 39.2mpg

Best used buy: 2.2 16 valve CDX

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 9

Price: A year 2002 3.2 V6 with 40,000 miles will be around £6,250 at a dealer.

FEAST your eyes on the car Peugeot believes will take the motoring world by storm.

It’s called the 1007, it has stunning looks, electric sliding doors and will cost from £10,000 when it hits UK showrooms next May.

This little big car is all about making things easy, and the promotional film which accompanied its unveiling to the world’s press at an exhibition centre in Paris highlighted that fact perfectly.

Faced with insufficient room to open any of his car doors, the frustrated twenty-something is struggling to clamber through the luggage area when footsteps echo across the multi-storey.

A leggy brunette appears, plips the button on a remote and the door of her 1007 slides open in less than five seconds.

La vie facile – the easy life … and that’s just the start!

Something they call the Cameleo concept will allow owners to adapt the Peugeot’s entire interior.

There will be a basic – largely dark blue – colour for the fascia and fittings, but buyers can also pick a separate one from a dozen colour schemes.

Fancy something completely different? For around £175 each you can pick as many different kits as you like.

So if the kids grubby up the seats, just zip off the covers and chuck them in the washing machine. Prefer red rather than yellow fascia mats, just swop ‘em round; favour silver rather than day-glo orange interior door panels, just unclip them, and should you wish to alternate the trim on the air vents, those unscrew in a flash.

It’s all about simplicity, to the point that the entire interior can be transformed in less than 15 minutes.

While most cars target one particular age group or type of customer, the 1007 is aimed at bridging the generation gap.

Few would doubt its ability to succeed.

For starters this is a very attractive looking car, a large ‘mouth’ and feline eyes giving it a distinct personality.

Size-wise it may be 2cms shorter than a Peugeot 206, but it’s both wider and higher and – significantly – has four individual seats.

Manufacturers have been known to stretch the truth a tad when they talk about fantastic rear space in cars.

So we put someone of 6ft 5ins in the back, a 16-stoner next to him, another six-foot plus passenger in the front and I picked the ideal driving position. Nobody felt cramped in the least.

And for those who may find access to the rear of a car tricky, well the electric sliding doors – which are standard on every model – make entry a doddle.

This ‘Open Sesame’ feature is controlled by a number of safety systems which demonstrate the amount of attention to detail.

For instance the doors can’t be opened once the car’s speed exceeds 3mph, the opening control is disabled if the fuel filler cap is open and there’s an anti-pinch system to stop arms and legs being trapped in the mechanism.

This ingenuity is extended to the seating, the two independent rear ones governing the numerous ways in which the 1007 can be used. For example, the overall space can be adapted to seat four people, provide maximum boot space or carry long loads.

There are multiple combinations for folding, flipping or removing the seats and if that’s not enough the storage solutions also include the likes of drawers under the front seats, drinks holders, coin and ticket racks and shopping bag hooks.

When the first cars roll out of Peugeot’s production centre in Poissy they will offer four engines and three trim levels.

UK versions though will come only with choice of 75bhp 1.4 and 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines or a 70bhp 1.4-litre HDi diesel.

The 1007 will also introduce a “2-Tronic” gearbox on petrol-engined versions, which will see Peugeot using controlled manual gearbox technology for the first time.

The 2-Tronic gearbox offers two gear change modes – one fully automatic, the other sequential, providing manual shifts via either the gear lever or the steering wheel control paddles.

Peugeot pledges that the 1007 will provide a dynamic driving experience, and no doubt they are correct.

But it’s the innovation that matters with this car, and unless it ends up handling like a supermarket trolley, the French company will sell as many 1007s as it can build.

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FROM time to time news seeps out from under lifes rock of useless information, which makes holding your head up as a driver very difficult. As would be the case if the England front row ran out wearing ladies’ underwear, some people are letting the side down.

Such as Mr Haberdashery-Counter of Yeovil who hired a car then left his pink, fluffy handcuffs in it Not the only disgrace brought upon us all by the West Country. A driver in Exeter left a sausage gently broiling behind the engine.

In fact if the, frankly shameful, list of items left in borrowed cars is looked at in detail there are clear links other than regional.

A man in Liverpool returned a car with one false leg in it. At the same time Europcars Salford depot took back a car with ten odd shoes on the back seat. Coincidence? I think not.

Sometimes I am convinced that the reason our political masters want us all suffering in the fetid interior of an overpriced train or riding one of Satans bicycles is so that they know there is not a man in Reading driving around with half a pint of beer and The Art of Speed Seduction, CD version, in his foot well.

We can only hope he was not going to meet the driver from the same town who forgot to take with him an ammunition case and a military field stretcher.

In reality these are all just examples of how so many of us treat our cars as an extension of home as surely as if they were a conservatory.

Probably just as well, then, that almost every car on the market has grown in size over the past ten years. The Peugeot 308 being no exception.

How many 308s are used by hire car companies I have no idea but the pair of 50-inch waist knickers left in a vehicle hired in Sheffield would certainly suit its ample rear. Seldom has a car broadened its hips as surely as the 308. Were it an Olympic athlete it would be tested for steroids.

Not that this is a bad thing.The effect is an up-market presence on the road. Whats more the diesel HDi Sport three-door has a trim quality that might shock some owners of more expensive cars. Long gone are the days when Peugeot interiors were inspired by famine.

On top of that it will return 52mpg driven with care.

Which shouldnt be all that difficult. The sport bit is really only a serving suggestion. The two-litre engine ambles through a six speed gearbox to 62mph in 10.1 seconds and has a top speed of 129mph but as a good looking, accommodating family hatchback it fits the bill.

Sport models come with good equipment levels including a steering column air bag, cruise control, ESP and a leather wheel. The white instrument matrix and black dials you really will like.

Not everyone can see eye to bulging eye with the 308s styling. My recommendation is to look past this and appreciate what you get for s17,000 without the sat-nav, phone and MP3 package. And unlike its Citroen stalemates a Peugeot isnt devalued by being launched with the middle name discount.

If you do get behind the wheel of a 308, please behave yourself. A man in Liverpool left a pair of ladies shoes in a car he borrowed. The cars owners helpfully rang his wife to tell her. You know whats coming next dont you? Yep, Hes in trouble. She only has one leg.

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FROM time to time news seeps out from under lifes rock of useless information, which makes holding your head up as a driver very difficult. As would be the case if the England front row ran out wearing ladies’ underwear, some people are letting the side down.

Such as Mr Haberdashery-Counter of Yeovil who hired a car then left his pink, fluffy handcuffs in it Not the only disgrace brought upon us all by the West Country. A driver in Exeter left a sausage gently broiling behind the engine.

In fact if the, frankly shameful, list of items left in borrowed cars is looked at in detail there are clear links other than regional.

A man in Liverpool returned a car with one false leg in it. At the same time Europcars Salford depot took back a car with ten odd shoes on the back seat. Coincidence? I think not.

Sometimes I am convinced that the reason our political masters want us all suffering in the fetid interior of an overpriced train or riding one of Satans bicycles is so that they know there is not a man in Reading driving around with half a pint of beer and The Art of Speed Seduction, CD version, in his foot well.

We can only hope he was not going to meet the driver from the same town who forgot to take with him an ammunition case and a military field stretcher.

In reality these are all just examples of how so many of us treat our cars as an extension of home as surely as if they were a conservatory.

Probably just as well, then, that almost every car on the market has grown in size over the past ten years. The Peugeot 308 being no exception.

How many 308s are used by hire car companies I have no idea but the pair of 50-inch waist knickers left in a vehicle hired in Sheffield would certainly suit its ample rear. Seldom has a car broadened its hips as surely as the 308. Were it an Olympic athlete it would be tested for steroids.

Not that this is a bad thing.The effect is an up-market presence on the road. Whats more the diesel HDi Sport three-door has a trim quality that might shock some owners of more expensive cars. Long gone are the days when Peugeot interiors were inspired by famine.

On top of that it will return 52mpg driven with care.

Which shouldnt be all that difficult. The sport bit is really only a serving suggestion. The two-litre engine ambles through a six speed gearbox to 62mph in 10.1 seconds and has a top speed of 129mph but as a good looking, accommodating family hatchback it fits the bill.

Sport models come with good equipment levels including a steering column air bag, cruise control, ESP and a leather wheel. The white instrument matrix and black dials you really will like.

Not everyone can see eye to bulging eye with the 308s styling. My recommendation is to look past this and appreciate what you get for s17,000 without the sat-nav, phone and MP3 package. And unlike its Citroen stalemates a Peugeot isnt devalued by being launched with the middle name discount.

If you do get behind the wheel of a 308, please behave yourself. A man in Liverpool left a pair of ladies shoes in a car he borrowed. The cars owners helpfully rang his wife to tell her. You know whats coming next dont you? Yep, Hes in trouble. She only has one leg.

New Peugeots

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Peugeot has introduced a range of inducements for its model ranges during the run-up to the new September registration.

The company has two important new models, the 107 city car and the 1007 supermini that have both just gone on sale.

Peugeot says that after just one month than 1,000 of the 107 models have been registered, costing from £6,995.

The innovative 1007 model with its unusual electrically-operated sliding side doors is more expensive at £10,850, but comes with a free second set of interchangeable interior door trims until the end of September.

The 206 range is not new, but for the 55 registration there is a year’s free insurance on most models except the entry-level Independence. It applies to buyers aged over 25 years for the GTi and CC ranges and aged over 21 years for the rest.

The refreshed 307 range has just been introduced and comes with the offer of three years’ interest free finance on most models, as do the larger 407 saloon and estate models.

An even better deal is being offered on the larger 607 and 807 family models with four years’ zero per cent finance until the end of September.

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ELEGANCE and estate are words not normally used in the same breath, though designers of the family ‘carry-all’ have come a long way since the boring metal box where utility, not civility, took priority.

Generally speaking, it’s been the Germans who have led the field in beautifying the estate.

But the French win hands down on this occasion with the elegant flowing lines of the Peugeot 407 Sports Wagon which wouldn’t look out of place sat outside Monaco’s palatial casino.

Extra emphasis has been placed on aesthetics without losing sight of the fact that the model needs to appeal to the lucrative fleet and domestic markets where functionality and comfort also rank supreme.

The wide-gap grille, fashioned to emanate a sporting flair, gives the car a purposeful stance – though some questioned the gappy aspect.

The rest of the Station Wagon’s profile is smooth and curvaceous – anything but boring, with neat roof rails and modern, glass apertures from A to C pillar and the wrap-around rear tailgate completing an ultra contemporary feel.

It is certainly a much more appealing vehicle than the load-lugger of yore and the panoramic glass roof, complete with electric cover-up, ensures the model is a cut above the rest while greatly contributing to a light and airy cabin.

The test car was powered by a 1.6-litre, 110bhp HDi diesel engine, which took some believing. It was so refined and subdued under most conditions, I had to glimpse under the bonnet and open the fuel filler release flap before I was totally convinced. Even during tickover, where you might normally discern a muffled clatter, the diesel unit gave nothing away.

I thought the 1.6 diesel would struggle but in fact, while it was no Olympic sprinter, the engine had plenty of low-down torque and felt sprightly enough in most conditions.

With this engines, the SW reaches 62mph from rest in just over 12 seconds, proof that the car is no slouch – and despite the sizeable overhangs, front and rear, it conducts itself with dignity.

It corners reasonably well and feels quite stable and there’s good feedback to the steering. The Station Wagon has a firm ride which is fine, though it can be fidgety over irregular surfaces.

With a top speed of 117mph, it returns a combined fuel figure of 50mpg, so it is not hard to understand why the 1.6 SW will be a winner with reps and families alike.

The 407 has won a clutch of plaudits. What Car? declared it the most secure family car and it won the 2004 Scottish Car of the Year title. It is also the third best selling diesel estate car in the Medium Car segment and second best selling fleet estate car in the sector.

Every model in the 407 SW line-up comes with seven airbags, including one on the steering column to cushion the driver’s knees in the event of an accident. Also standard are anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control systems as well as alarm and deadlock security.

The SE test model also has larger alloy wheels, electronically-folding mirrors, bi-zone climate control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and rear electric windows. At £18,150, it offers excellent value.

- Val Jessop

THE Peugeot 406 estate was an acclaimed load-lugger which picked up awards for its towing abilities and reaped praise for its cavernous interior. A benchmark for so many years, it is a hard act to follow.

Somehow, Peugeot has managed it.

The SW – Sports Wagon – badge on the 407, which replaced the 406, intimates the new model is more of a sporty/lifestyle car than a glorified family workhorse.

It certainly exudes a far more attractive image than its predecessor – and many of its close rivals.

While undoubtedly spacious, it doesn’t match the more generous load capacity of the Vauxhall Vectra and its 489 litres minimum and 1,365 litres maximum puts it behind several of its competitors.

Nevertheless, it is roomy and the low load height of the luggage area satisfies most work/family demands. With the front passenger seat and rear seats folded flat, items of up to 2,700mm in length can be carried.

Like its 206 and 307 siblings, the 407 SW has an Athermic panoramic glass roof, which ensures that all four or five occupants enjoy a light and airy environment.

It also provides unrivalled views while limiting energy filtration to 12 per cent – though there is an electric blind to block out the rays when required.

The rest of the interior is the normal 407 fare – stylish with most controls easy to hand -and it affords decent legroom.

The test car was powered by an impressive 1.6-litre 110bhp turbodiesel engine. Armed with 180lb/ft and despite its bulk, the SW didn’t feel short on torque.

Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, it reaches 62mph in 12.1 seconds, that’s two seconds slower than its six-speed two-litre diesel stablemate. It is impressively quiet which all makes for a refined and relaxing drive.

Peugeot’s bid to make the 407 a more enticing car than its forerunner has succeeded. The double wishbone front suspension does a decent job in balancing the SW while providing a firm but comfortable ride. Levels of grip are suprisingly good and confidence-inspiring.

Peugeot reckons most 407 sales will be diesels. Both the 1.6 and two-litre diesel units are Euro IV compliant which translates as a three per cent saving in company car tax.

Space in the front is particularly generous with plenty of head and legroom and the driver’s seat is multi-adjustable. The steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach for a comfortable driving position.

The only niggle for me was the centre console where the switchgear seemed a bit cramped.

- Alistair Coull

FAST FACTS

Peugeot 407 SW SE HDi 110 5dr

Price: £18,150

Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 117mph

0-62mph: 12.1 secs

Combined mpg: 50.4

Insurance group: 8

CO2 emissions: 148g/km

BiK rating: 16%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust

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