Peugeot 607 Reviews

Peugeot is intent on adding extra performance mojo to its line-up with more GTI and R variants, and the next one on the drawing board is a 208-R to slot in above the 208 GTI in the hatch range. This will be the fourth of their hi-po push -- they've topped the RCZ coupe with the flagship RCZ-R revealed earlier this year, and are also getting ready to roll out a 308 GTI and a 308-R overseas. And while performance fans will applaud the extra sting in the trail, Peugeot CEO Maxime Picat told industry journal Automotive News it also makes good business sense. "For the Peugeot 208, about 40 percent of sales are for trim levels three and four, which are the two highest; 70 percent of 2008 sales are level three or above," Picat said. "We have special versions such as the 208 GTI. Above the 208 GTI, we will soon have an even sportier 208-R, which is a good example of what we would like to add to top the 308 range. Moving upmarket with special versions of each model line is not very different from what Volkswagen does with its (Golf) GTI/GTD variants." Picat stopped short of details on what would power the Peugeot 208-R, but a good candidate could be the little 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder from the RCZ-R. It would likely be detuned from the 199kW of power and 330Nm of torque, but still have plenty of airspace to come in above the 147kW and 275Nm of the 208 GTI, and use the same slick six-speed manual to deliver drive to the front wheels. The RCZ-R has been confirmed by Peugeot Australia to arrive here early next year, although in fairly limited numbers, with a quota of less than 50 priced around $75,000 -- a sizable step up from the $58,990 of the current three-model range: a 1.6-litre petrol in 147kW/275Nm manual and 115kW/240Nm auto versions, plus a 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre diesel. They're going to be popular with people keen on the sleek sports coupe's 0-100kmh sprint of 5.9 seconds (top speed is limited to 250km/h). We can only hope 208-R will follow, and better the 208 GTI's comparatively relaxed 0-100kmh time of 6.8 seconds, while coming in not too high above its $29,990 price tag. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Peugeot's Australian model expansion has continued with the launch of its new 2008 small SUV.

It's not rocket science. If you want people to buy your car, it needs to look good, go well and carry a price that's hard to go past.

Ford is seeing yellow for this year's SEMA show. The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas is always a temple for excessive modification, but Ford has kept the cosmetic custom weirdness to a minimum for their Project Yellow Jacket Mustang.However, the real beauty -- and brawn -- lies under the yellow skin. Created by Ford and Vortech Superchargers, the car is powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine that was treated to one of Vortech's V-3 Si blowers. The result is 451 kilowatts and 640 Newton metres of torque with 7.5 psi of boost. That's a big improvement over the 313 kilowatts and 528 Newton metres the Coyote makes in a stock 2014 Ford Mustang GT.However, it's not quite enough to outdo the Shelby GT500's 5.8-litre supercharged V-8, which chucks out 494 kilowatts and 855 Newton metres. Ford has to maintain its Mustang hierarchy, after all.The Yellow Jacket sports a carbon fibre cowl-induction hood and 3D Carbon Boy Racer body kit for a bit of added visual muscle, and rolls on iForged Icon wheels (20- x 9-inch front, 20- x 11-inch rear) and Falken Azenis FK453 tires (275/40/20 front, 315/35/20 rear). Other modifications include Baer brakes with six-piston calipers, a tuned suspension, and a Webasto sunroof.www.motorauthority.com 

Hot hatches are in high demand, and they include everything from warm hatchbacks with sporty details to boiling hot turbocharged terrors.

The upcoming Peugeot 308 sedan is planned to give the French maker a big lift in the mid-sized ruck.It could even get a 408 badge, says Carparazzi, before its unveiling next year - most likely at the Geneva motor show in March. 

The 207 replaced the 206 as Peugeot's baby car in 2007, and like many new models tend to do it had grown.

French automaker Peugeot is launching a new generation of its 308 hatchback at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, and to help build excitement will also roll out this performance-oriented concept version. Dubbed the 308 R, the concept hints at a hotted-up Peugeot 308 that if built would target the likes of the Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. The 308 R concept is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which rates at 200kW and is found in the Peugeot RCZ R sports coupe, which also debuts in Frankfurt next month. Peak torque registers at 329Nm and is available from a low 1,900 rpm. Drive is channelled to the front wheels, via a six-speed manual transmission and a Torsen differential. The wheels are 19-inch light allows wrapped with 235/35 tires, and inside them sits four-piston brake calipers and Alcon discs. The concept gets a number of unique body panels, which are made out of carbon fibre and bolted directly to the regular 308’s lightweight platform. That platform is Peugeot’s new EMP2 modular set, which is also found in the latest Citroën C4 Picasso and is said to be around 135kg lighter than the platform in the previous 308. But to further improve dynamics, the 308 R also sports lowered suspension and a wide track--up to 30mm wider at the front. At the rear, there is a discreet roof spoiler and a bumper with an integrated diffuser. Also integrated with the rear bumper is a pair of square-shaped exhaust tips. Inside, there’s a driver-focused cockpit with a big 9.7-inch touch-screen display mounted in the dash. Peugeot explains that the dash was designed so that the displays can be viewed over and not through, helping to reduce driver distractions. Sales of the new Peugeot 308 commence in Europe after the car’s Frankfurt debut. Hopefully, we’ll see a production version of the 308 R in the not too distant future. www.motorauthority.com  

We wouldn't mind being a courier/delivery driver in the Peugeot Expert van because apart from going extremely well, it's much like a passenger car to drive.That's by design because Peugeot wanted a vehicle that appealed to the target audience, most of whom complained of the “commercial vehicle” traits of their vehicle. In other words, hard, noisy, high riding, uncomfortable and ugly. Not good if you spend your days behind the wheel.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONExpert uses the same 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine as the Pug 308 and other models in the French manufacturer's range. In this case, it achieves 120kW/340Nm output - ample to motivate the 1758kg van and up to 1200kg of payload in the two pallet, 6.0 cubic metre, load space.Fuel economy is rated at 7.2-litres/100km on the combined cycle and there's 80 litres to play with in the tank. And if you tick the auto transmission box, you get a sweet shifting six-speed powertrain with heaps of punch from right off idle up through to higher speeds. A six speed manual is available if you must.DESIGNIn terms of working applications, the Expert is handy offering a low ride height, twin glazed rear barn doors with a wiper and washer apiece as well as left and right side slider giving access to the load floor. Remote central locking is fitted as well as remote cargo space unlock and remote fuel flap locking. There's a driver protection barrier behind the seat and three pews in the widish cabin.PRICE AND FEATURESThe price is $38,990 which is on the mark for the segment, a few grand more than Renault's Trafic and the Hyundai iLoad, a couple less than other contenders. Standard equipment includes cruise, air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, numerous storage bins including overhead in the passenger compartment.The audio is OK and it has Bluetooth phone and a USB port. Eight tie down lugs are provided on the load floor which is lined up to half height. We really appreciated the remote headlight height adjuster and the full size spare.  We couldn't ascertain Expert's safety rating, but suffice to say with one air bag and an optional passenger bag it isn't going to get five stars.DRIVINGPeugeot Expert might not be pretty but it sure is comfy and easy to live with. You sit lower than most vans and it's just like a car to get into and out of. The wheel is position car-like and the controls are either on the wheel, on wands around it or in the centre console which also houses the transmission selector.You can actually recline the seat a fair way and adjust the driving position for comfort over a long run. If the interior wasn't all practical, hard grey plastic (by necessity), it could be a Peugeot passenger car. The level of performance from the turbodiesel engine takes you by surprise when you boot it off the lights.Our auto Expert was impressive in the go department as it drives like a passenger vehicle when unladen. It has a long wheelbase and a long body but the turning circle isn't too big. The Expert was pressed into home moving detail and proved to be nearly ideal except for moving the fridge (not high enough).