The competitively priced 407 starts at €24,895 (1.8 SR) and sits well in the ‘C’ sector. Last year ‘Avensis/Mondeo’ sized cars accounted for 28% of sales in the new car market and now with 407 Peugeot want and will no doubt get a bigger slice of the cake. Family buyers can already look forward to the versatility of of the split tailgate SW estate version.
The new Pug is safe too; in a recent Euro NCAP crash test the 407 scored a maximum five stars. It scored well too for child protection gaining four stars while pedestrian safety in a crash was an average two star performance. The company car driver is rightly over the moon with the new French addition especially as both diesel versions are not only economical but Euro 1V emissions compliant (which means they’re clean).
It’s clear the 407 is a seriously good looking machine, particularly when viewed head on. I am sure there are more than one or two Ferrari owners a little miffed at the French manufacturer’s stylist, what is it they say about imitation? The sincerest form of… plagiarism! The car side-on features headlight clusters that virtually wrap around the car’s side plus a long front overhang (from the front wheels forward) that unfortunately is a front wheel drive necessity.
The rear is very tidy and in no way flabby but at the expense of boot capacity. Inside the 407’s sleek exterior talks its toll in the cabin as headroom is tight especially for rear seat passengers. The instrument dials are classy but the centre console layout is a bit too busy with lots of small buttons. Thankfully (like all Pugs) the stereo controls are mounted on a stubby stalk on the steering column. All the primary controls are light and east to use. I spent most of the week in a 2 litre petrol version that was pleasant.
Apart from its pretty exterior it was unremarkable as it did everything I needed it to do without fuss. The driving position proved good with both front seats height adjustable. The leather covered steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake and features speed variable power assisted steering. I took the 1.6 HDi out for a reasonable test run and was even more impressed. Despite the small engine output the 407 pulled well.
The low Irish running costs of the 1.6 were impressive. On the go the saloon handles predictably but I never felt like taking the long way home. The suspension is a bit lumpy at low speed about town although at speed it evens out.
Engines:
The petrol engine range starts with a 1.8 (117bhp) five-speed manual, next is the 2 litre (136bhp five-speed manual or Porsche Tiptronic automatic gearbox), next is a 2.2 (160bhp) with a six-speed manual or Porsche Tiptronic gearbox and finally a 3 litre (211bhp VVT) Porsche auto is the range topper.
HDi diesel engines start with the 1.6 litre and rise to the 2 litre (136bhp unit we all know and love). The 1.6Hdi (€28,195) has an impressive 110NM of torque and is coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Both engines feature an ‘Overboost’ facility that allows an increase in engine power above normal output for short periods. This is very handy for overtaking and happens automatically. In Europe far more so than here diesels make up 60% of sales in the 407 class and I predict the more running cost friendly 1.6 HDi will prove to be a huge success here.
Peugeots are always comfy and the 407 continues the tradition. Trim levels start with SR and rise through ST Comfort, ST Sport with SV Executive the poshest. Air conditioning is standard across the range. On the safety side of things the 407 has seven airbags as standard with up to nine airbags available. The windscreen wipers thankfully wipe from the centre out and don’t suffer from being set up exclusively for left-hand drive cars.
The 407 is a gorgeous looking car that on smooth roads delivers a very good ride. The race-bred double wishbone suspension isn’t quite up to our poor surfaced B and link roads though.
While the 407 beats the reigning Semperit Irish Car of the Year in the beauty stakes I think ‘private’ money would be better spent on a Toyota Avensis.
- Michael Sheridan
