Peugeot Australia announced a number of specification improvements in late 2009 and early 2010 to its popular 207 range, designed to enhance its desirability and its value-for-money proposition. And now, these upgrades have been supplemented with reductions in the Recommended Vehicle Prices (RVPs) of all 5-door hatch, Touring and coupé-convertible models; along with the progressive introduction of Euro 5 emissions-compliant powerplants over the coming months.
In late 2009 the 207 range underwent a host of specification upgrades and styling enhancements, and with three body shapes the 207 moved into pole position in its segment in the European car market with sales in excess of 410,000 units sold up to the end of 2009.
The re-style also reaffirmed the 207's distinctive appeal in each of the different body shapes.
207 hatch: Elegant and user-friendly, dynamic and sporty, the 207 5-door hatch offers a unique blend of comfort, driveability and remarkable versatility. With the current trend being towards smaller, more efficient vehicles which can offer the performance, safety and refinement of larger ones, the 207 hatch is an ideal choice.
207 Touring: An attractive aesthetic balance, a bright interior and remarkable practicality: all major benefits, with a hint of adventure. Thanks to the specification improvements introduced late in 2009, the Touring now offers a more rugged SUV-inspired exterior while still delivering trademark 207 benefits of manoeuvrability, fuel efficiency and low running costs. It is particularly well suited to adventurers or sports enthusiasts in need of versatility in a stylish package.
207 CC: Europe's leading cabriolet, offering striking style coupled with the dynamism and safety which are the foundations of its broad appeal. Pioneer of the coupé-cabriolet, Peugeot has perfected and modernised the CC without diminishing its rich spirit.
Australians Love 207
Since its launch in 2007, sales have been strong in the Light (>$25,000) segment. 2009 saw the 207 dominate this segment – selling just over 45% of total sales (hatch and Touring only).
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2009
|
Share
|
|
Alfa Romeo MiTo
|
9.9%
|
|
Citroen C3
|
8.8%
|
|
Fiat 500
|
18.1%
|
|
Fiat Punto
|
12.5%
|
|
Peugeot 207
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45.2%
|
|
Renault Clio
|
5.6%
|
|
Total Light > $25K
|
|
The 207 range
The 207 5-door hatch remains available in XR and XT specification levels, with a range of petrol and HDi turbo diesel engines; while the Touring wagon is available in one spec level with a choice of petrol or HDi turbo diesel power. The 207 CC is available with the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre 88kW engine or the turbocharged 115kW version.
Production of the 3-door 207 GTi was discontinued in April and only a small number of vehicles remain in Peugeot dealer stock.
Recent specification upgrades
Recent improvements to specification levels have enhanced the safety and value arguments across the range. Major improvements include:
- Six airbags (including full-length side curtains) were made standard on all 5-door hatch models
- ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is now standard on all 207 models
- Panoramic glass roof with retractable sun-blind is standard on all XT 5-door hatch models
- Dual-zone climate control is standard on XT 5-door hatch
- Upgrading of Touring to "Outdoor" specification level: raised ride height, SUV style wheel arch flares and sill extensions, standard alloy wheels and partial leather trim
- Privacy glass is now standard on XT 5-door hatch and Touring models
- An electrochrome rear-view mirror is now standard on XT 5-door hatch models
- Cruise control is standard on all 1.6-litre models (both petrol and HDi turbo diesel)
- The introduction throughout 2010 of Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines on all models.
Eco-Efficient Power Trains
In both petrol and diesel versions, the new 207 range includes a selection of engines that will appeal to a customer base in search of technology and dynamism, those focused on fuel economy and environmental performance, or simply looking for quality specification.
Petrol engines:
In XR guise, the 207 hatch is available with two engines – a 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder unit, both compliant with the tough Euro 5 emissions standard.
The 1.4-litre unit is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and produces 70kW of power and 136Nm of torque, while the larger engine is available only with a 4-speed automatic and produces 88 kW and 160 Nm respectively.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine is also available in the XT hatch and CC models, where it comes with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or the 4-speed Tiptronic automatic or six-speed manual.
HDi turbo diesel engine:
Thanks to an innovation strategy focusing on the engine itself and on pollution control technology, Peugeot's expertise in diesel technology is recognised worldwide. Over the past 15 years and more, Peugeot has pursued investments in R&D to develop and market a new generation of high pressure direct injection diesel engines using common rail technology.
1.6 HDi FAP (Particle Filter), Euro 5 compliant: 82 kW of power, 270 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm (260 Nm with overboost) and a fuel consumption (combined cycle) of 4.7 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 120 gm per kilometre, available in a six-speed manual.
Illustrative of the success of Peugeot HDi engine technology, they have now been fitted to more than 12.5 million vehicles worldwide. Major HDi benefits include:
- fuel consumption 20% lower than a pre-chamber diesel engine, resulting in an 20% reduction in CO2 emissions;
- enhanced driveability thanks to the torque available at low engine speed, with noise and vibration levels comparable to those of a petrol engine;
- excellent environmental performance thanks to the precise combustion control of common-rail technology and efficient pollution control systems such as the FAP particulate filter.
In 2000, the HDi engine was combined with a new pollution control system, the diesel particulate filter system (FAP), which destroys all diesel particles - whatever their size - and reduces emissions to barely measurable levels (0.004 gm/km). In a world first, the diesel particulate filter system was introduced on the Peugeot 607. It is now widely available across the Peugeot range and since 2005 has been fitted as standard to all Peugeot HDi passenger cars and SUVs sold in Australia. Globally, the particulate filter system was fitted to more than 518,000 HDi vehicles manufactured last year.
In the area of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - the main greenhouse gas - Peugeot is the most efficient carmaker in Europe, with nearly one million vehicles emitting less than 130 g/km of CO2 delivered to customers in 2008. Today, roughly one in three vehicles sold by Peugeot emits less than 130 g/km of CO2.
207 meets the world's toughest emissions standard: Euro 5
With these new EURO 5 compliant engines Peugeot continues to develop and optimise its diesel HDi FAP and petrol technologies - both acknowledged for their performance and efficiency - positioning each model as a leader in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the respective segments.
Australian regulations will soon require compliance with the Euro 4 standard, but all Peugeot vehicles sold in Australia by the fourth quarter this year will meet the tough new Euro 5 level. The difference between Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards is the further restriction of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM - which is considered harmful to human health), with an emphasis on the two latter emissions.
Furthermore, with an eye to the future, PSA Peugeot Citroën Group has set very definite goals for achieving the next standard milestone of EURO 6, including a target date of September 2014 for its implementation. Essentially this means a further reduction of NOx emissions from 230 grams per kilometre to 170 grams (in HDi vehicles).
Safety
More than 1.5 million people die worldwide in road accidents every year. More than ever, road safety is a priority for carmakers, and Peugeot is no exception. Strengthened passenger compartments, shock-absorbing structures, seatbelts, and advanced electronics all make a contribution to safer cars which protect not only the driver and the passengers, but also other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists in the unfortunate event of an impact.
For the highest safety levels, Peugeot vehicles undergo a comprehensive range of crash tests long before they reach the market.
The design and development phases of a car are punctuated by real-life and virtual impact tests. Every year, Peugeot develops more than 30,000 digital simulations and conducts more than 800 physical impact tests. The goal is to produce Peugeot vehicles that, irrespective of size, are safe, meet all the regulations and pass the tests organised by consumer organisations such as Euro NCAP.
The Australian 207 range now boasts an exemplary level of standard safety specification across all models, from entry-level XR hatch to the top CC version. The most significant recent improvements included the standardisation of six airbags on all 5-door hatch models (previously an option on XR level) and the introduction of Electronic Stability Program (ESP – previously an option on XR and XT hatch, and Touring models) on all models early this year.
Price changes
Thanks to favourable currency conditions, Peugeot Australia has announced that it will pass on the benefit in the form of reduced Recommended Vehicle Prices (RVPs) across all models (with the exception of 207 GTi, which remains unchanged), effective 1st June, 2010. The saving is a uniform $2,000 on all models compared with the previous RVPs.
207 Range Pricing
| 207 hatch |
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Prev. RVP
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New RVP
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XR 5-door manual 1.4L
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$21,990
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$19,990
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XR 5-door automatic 1.6L
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$25,490
|
$23,490
|
|
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XT 5-door manual 1.6L
|
$25,990
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$23,990
|
|
|
XT 5-door automatic 1.6L
|
$27,990
|
$25,990
|
|
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XT 5-door manual 1.6L HDi
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$28,990
|
$27,190
|
|
|
GTi 3-door manual 1.6L turbo
|
|
$33,490
|
|
207 Touring
|
|
|
|
|
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Outdoor 5-door Touring automatic 1.6L
|
$29,990
|
$27,990
|
|
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Outdoor 5-door Touring manual 1.6L HDi
|
$30,990
|
$29,190
|
|
207 Coupé-Cabriolet
|
|
|
|
|
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CC 2-door manual 1.6L
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$35,490
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$33,490
|
|
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CC 2-door automatic 1.6L
|
$37,490
|
$35,490
|
|
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CC 2-door manual 1.6L turbo
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$39,990
|
$38,190
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In announcing the price revisions Mr. Ken Thomas, General Manager / Director for Peugeot Automobiles Australia, said "These new price changes make every 207 model an even better value-for-money story than before."
"And when you factor in the equipment upgrades made recently – including standard ESP across the range , and the introduction of cleaner, greener Euro 5 compliant engines – you have an unbeatable proposition for those seeking a premium European motoring experience without the premium price."