407 stylishly low key

Could be an innovative way of getting the attention of the jaded motoring journalists, who are sometimes forced to attend as many as four launches in a single week?

If you like the look of the new car which replaces the ageing but highly respected 406, the good news is that it has been worth the wait.

We have driven the new 407 and must say that we are mightily impressed.

Peugeot had been cranking out the 406 since 1996 and it was long overdue for replacement.

The new 407 looks fabulous, goes very well and is extremely well priced when you look at some of the Euro competition.

About the only thing mising from the package is satellite navigation which is not available here yet.

Our main gripe if you can call it that is that the 407 just doesn't seem as engaging as previous Peugeots which have forged a reputation for being a driver's car.

Still this hardly going to bother the average punter looking for something stylish and a little different and the inquiry rate is apparently very high.

Pricing for the 407 starts at $42,790 and continues through a number of engine types and specification levels to a ceiling of $55,990 for the top of the line V6 sedan with all the trimmings.

There is also station wagon called the Touring model with a whiz bang sunroof that starts at $47,990 and tops out at at $58,990.

However if you are after a wagon you will have to wait until later in the year.

Engines range from a 2.2-litre four cylinder petrol engine to a 3.0-litre V6, with the option of a hi-tech 2.0-litre turbo diesel.

Eight airbags are standard across the 407 range making it a very safe car with a maximum five-star rating in European tests.

Electronic stability control with ABS and electronic brake force distribution is also standard, along with hazard lights that activate automatically in emergency braking.

Our test car was the top of the line SV V6 sedan which is available only with a six-speed tip shift style auto.

If you want a manual (we're talking six-speed here), then you must chose from the four cylinder or diesel powered models.

Also note, the auto in four cylinder and diesel models is a four-speed unit.

The V6 delivers 155kW of power at 6000rpm and 290Nm of torque from 3750rpm.

It lacks a bit of punch down low but is still able to get the car mobile fairly quickly, with a 0-100km/h acceleration figure of 8.4 seconds.

In full auto mode, the car is a somewhat slow to respond at low speed, but remember this box provides all the options.

You can change to sport which retards change points or flick the lever over to full manual mode which provides much livelier performance.

Peugeots are noted for their excellent suspension and the 407 is no exception.

In the SV V6 you get variable electronic suspension which adjusts automatically to driving conditions or can be set to a firmer sport setting for flatter, more enthusiastic cornering.

It is a deceiving car in the handling department, as it quickly firms up and points nicely in corners, finding its way in and out again with little fuss.

Fuel economy, an important issue with rising petrol prices, was an excellent at 11.1L/100km during testing.

Nice touches include park distance control, auto- matic headlights and windscreen wipers, plus window blinds for rear seat passengers.

Minor annoyances include the windscreen mounted rain sensor which intrudes on the driver's field of vision as well as the extra skirting on the lower edge of the front air dam which is rather low.