Peugeot 407 2011 News

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  

Big and comfortable coupes built for cruising are rare these days. Most cars with two doors are sporty, and are usually set up too firm for a nice loping drive in the country. But the Peugeot 407 Coupe is a stylish cruiser that won't damage your vertebrae when you run over bumpy tarmac. Though it is built off the same base as the 407 sedan, every panel on the Coupe is unique. Engines include a 155kW 3.0-litre petrol V6 and the impressive 150kW 2.7-litre twin turbo-diesel fitted to our test car. The big Peugeot diesel is not cheap, coming in at $72,500, but it is loaded with gear. The goodies include heated leather seats, xenon headlights that point around corners, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone airconditioning, JBL premium sound system, rain-sensing wipers and tyre pressure sensors. The leather seats are supportive, but there is not much room for those in the back. Another downside is the length and weight of the doors, which hinder getting in and out. The twin turbo-diesel is a cracking engine and is pretty quiet. With 440Nm from as low as 1900 revs, it pulls the car around with little effort and even emits a sporty note when pushed. It combines well with the ZF six-speed automatic, which changes smoothly. All this is achieved with an average of just 7.5 litres for 100km, dropping to 6 litres cruising on the highway. The 407 Coupe has plenty of punch, but it's not really a sports car. It is a bit clumsy in tight turns, with woolly steering feel and a fair amount of body roll on uneven surfaces.