There's no mid-life crisis for the Peugeot 407.
When it was launched here in 2004, you could not mistake the 407 for anything but a Peugeot.
Its distinctive design, long bonnet, huge gaping mouth and feline-looking headlights instantly oozed French sex appeal.
Now in its first mid-life update since launch, Peugeot designers have left the car's distinctive looks largely untouched.
There's a mild tweak here and there, more chrome and some new engines, but the look is still distinctly Peugeot.
Peugeot Automobiles Australia spokesman Mathew McAuley says the new sedan and wagon will probably arrive in showrooms in time for next year's Melbourne Motor Show.
Apart from styling updates, Peugeot has added a new 2.0-litre Bioflex engine that runs on E85 ethanol.
It will be available in markets where governments provide biofuel tax incentives.
But McAuley says the Bioflex engine and a smaller 1.6-litre HDi model are unlikely for Australia.
“I expect we will continue with our engine line-up as it is,” he says.
That means a 2.2-litre petrol four-cylinder, 2.0-litre HDi, 2.7-litre HDi V6 and 3.0-litre petrol V6.
The sedan and station wagon benefit from small exterior upgrades to keep them fresh.
There is more chrome detailing, such as the vertical bars in the grille, and redesigned tail-lights.
Inside, Peugeot has revised trim and comfort with on-board temperature control, new telematics systems and parking assist, similar to the system introduced in the newly launched Volkswagen Tiguan.
The company has also lifted build quality, in line with the new 308 hatch.
But the most interesting changes to the 407 are under the bonnet, with the upgraded 2.0-litre HDi engine.
The 2.0-litre HDi gets an extra 3kW to lift power to 103kW at 4000 revs, using 5.6 litres of diesel for a 100km and emitting 150g/km of CO2 when mated to the six-speed manual.
Torque remains at 320Nm at 2000 revs.
The engine meets tough Euro 5 emissions standards.
McAuley says the HDi engines will continue to form most 407 sales.
More than 50 per cent of all Peugeot models sold in Australia are diesel-powered. coops
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