Peugeot 607 Reviews

Mitsubishi Outlander LS and Peugeot 5008 HDi go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Grieving Ford fans will soon have a reason to get over the loss of the locally-made Falcon. The iconic Ford Mustang muscle car will return to Australia after almost almost 50 years. It will replace the Falcon as Ford’s performance hero in 2016, the same year the Falcon is axed.Ford’s global vice president of sales and marketing, Jim Farley, will fly to Australia to personally deliver the good news on August 13. Farley is the same Detroit executive who spent the past three years deflecting media questions about the future of Ford’s Australian manufacturing operations.The normally secretive Ford is taking the unusual step of making the announcement early because it is trying to reassure Australians it will continue to sell cars here even though it will close its manufacturing operations after 90 years.Australia will not get the Mustang currently on-sale in North America but an all-new model that’s been designed for global sales. It is due to be unveiled at next year’s New York motor show, the 50th anniversary of the Mustang. Some countries will get a four-cylinder version of the new Mustang but Ford Australia is understood to only be taking the V8 performance models.The last time a Ford Mustang was imported to Australia as a right-hand-drive car was in the late 1960s. Ford Australia converted a small number of Mustangs locally between 2001 and 2003. They were rushed in to compete with the modern Holden Monaro, but priced close to $90,000 fewer than 400 were sold.Ford won’t make the same mistake this time around; the new Mustang is expected to have a starting price close to $50,000. In North America the basic V6 Mustang costs less than $30,000. Ford Australia would not confirm the announcement but confidential sources have confirmed to Carsguide: “Mustang is a goer”.The new generation Mustang has already been confirmed for the UK -- likely to be the largest market for right-hand-drive models, with Australia next in line. Because right-hand-drive versions of the Mustang are expected to account for less than 10 per cent of global sales Ford Detroit is keen to sell it in as many countries as possible to recover the extra engineering costs involved in making a right-hand-drive model.The Mustang will spearhead Ford Australia’s revived line-up at a time when it will likely be receiving gloomy publicity over its factory closures. When announcing the closure of the Broadmeadows car assembly line and Geelong engine factory, Ford Australia boss Bob Graziano said the company would increase its model range by 30 per cent with more imported cars.The arrival of the Ford Mustang may persuade organisers of the V8 Supercars racing series to modify the rules to allow two-door coupes to compete. Currently only sedan vehicles are eligible to race in Australia’s premiere motorsport championship. Racing legend Dick Johnson raced a Mustang in the 1985 and 1986 Australian touring car championships when Ford temporarily dropped the Falcon V8.The Ford Mustang is one of the world’s most iconic cars. When it was unveiled at the New York motor show in April 1964 Ford expected to sell 100,000 Mustangs in its first full year on sale. It went on to sell more than 1 million in just 18 months. It took Chevrolet 40 years to reach the same milestone with the Corvette. Fast facts: Ford MustangDebut: New York motor show, April 1964.Movie highlights: James Bond’s Goldfinger (1964), Steve McQueen’s Bullitt (1968), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000).Sales: More than 1 million were sold in the first 18 months. More than 8.5 million have been sold to date.Today’s Mustang: The flagship Shelby 500 GT powered by a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 is the world’s most powerful V8 road car (662hp or 493kW).Tomorrow’s Mustang: It will adopt sleeker and more futuristic lines than the current model inspired by the 1968 coupe, and it will have a choice of turbo four-cylinder, V6 and V8 power. 

Power and passion returns to Peugeot as it prepares a coupe claimed to be its most powerful road car. Finally receiving the performance potential to suit its slippery shape, the RCZ R this week breaks cover in England at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.Built by Peugeot Sport and poised for its official public debut at September's Frankfurt motor show, the RCZ R is boosted to 200kW/330Nm for a maximum speed of 250km/h (electronically limited), a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds, the 400m standing start in 14.2 seconds and 1000m in 25.4 seconds.The R is based on the facelifted RCZ coupe launched in Australia in May that has a similar 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine -- shared with the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Mini Cooper S among other cars --  with a 147kW/275Nm output.But to squeeze out the higher outputs for the RCZ R, many engine parts are evolutions or complete redevelopments from the original. The new engine is reinforced by heat treatment prior to machining to improve durability.The twin-scroll turbo has been developed specifically to benefit from an ideal design for this application and this level of performance. The steel exhaust manifold has a unique architecture inspired by racing systems to cope with higher temperatures.New pistons, providing a compression ratio of 9.2:1, were developed with Mahle Motorsport, taking a forged structure and a grade of aluminium used in Formula 1. They are cooled by two oil jets.The conrods are specified to withstand continued use at high engine  speeds and have bearings covered with a polymer coating that can withstand the higher cylinder pressures. This coating, patented in 2011 and developed by Mahle, are a world first in the RCZ R.Getting the Peugeot up to speed has  seen the R gain a Torsen differential for more grip, a fixed rear spoiler (the current model has a retractable wing), a 17kg weight cut, 10mm lower ride height and a leather and alcantara cabin.DESIGNThe R version is identified by matte black roof arches, rear spoiler, its lower stance than the standard RCZ and the 19-inch two-tone allo y wheels. It has a wider track than the standard car and suspension with retuned dampers, increased spring stiffness and a stiffer anti-roll bar while the wheels are designed to accommodate and cool the bigger 380mm brakes.The car also has a new rear diffuser that supports two chromed exhaust pipes. A Peugeot monogrammed R in red lettering is on the grille and boot lid as a signature RCZ R. Upgrades over the standard RCZ extend to the cabin, with Peugeot Sport embossed sills, red stitching on t he dashboard and leather upholstery and trim. The steering wheel has a smaller diameter, the manual gear shifter is shorter and the leather and alcantara seats have an ``R'' monogram.LAUNCHThe coupe this week made its international debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed though won't be officially unveiled until the Frankfurt show. It goes on sale early 2014.  Peugeot has yet to confirm the car for the Australian line up, or talk about prices. But with a $6000 discount to nearest Euro-rival the Audi TT, the R may represent a stronger alternative.Peugeot project manager for the RCZ R, Budar Pierre, says the development of the car evolved through a race-bred program.  ``This included the design and specification of the drivetrain, gearbox, brakes and tyres beyond the usual criteria, in order to allow the most enthusiastic drivers to perform,'' he says.This reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling 

This is why you don't need a compact SUV. Driven some bloody decent cars this past six months. From $14K to $410K it's been something of a red letter year to date. Why then, when someone makes the error of asking, do I find myself banging on about people movers? Perhaps it's a reaction to the lemming-like charge to

People movers suffer an image problem. They’re largely seen as being dowdy, dull proof that any pretensions to a life are over. That may be true of some... okay, most of them.But a few MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles, as some brands like to call them) are arriving to overturn that truth. They've got style and response that dodges the 'stodgy' stigma and makes them fun to be in  – and you proud to be seen in them.Part of that charge of the MPV brigade is the Peugeot 5008 -- newly arrived here although available overseas for a few years – which, along with its sibling Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, is adding French chic to the task of carting around seven bodies in ease.VALUETwo versions are on offer, the $40,490 diesel and the $36,990 petrol tested here. There’s a single spec level across both, but the standard kit list is generous: 7-inch retractable colour touchscreen satnav, twin tray tables and DVD screens for the second row, rearview mirror integrated reversing camera, parking sensors, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control aircon with vents in the rear, 17-in alloy wheels and some clever extras like a rechargeable torch in the cargo area and retractable blinds for the second and third rows.The Citroen comes in at $39,490, but only in diesel, while Honda's petrol-powered Odyssey starts at $37,100.But the real contender is the newly arrived Kia Rondo, starting at $25,990 for the petrol version and $36,490 for diesel, but moving up considerably in price once you start adding in more fruit. To get similar equipment standards to the Peugeot you’re looking at $33,990 for the petrol Rondo.ENGINE AND GEARBOXThe 5008 is powered by a punchy little turbocharged 1.6-litre engine: the same carried by Peugeot’s 208 GTI and RCZ sports cars – and Citroens and Minis, albeit offering different outputs of power and torque. In the Peugeot MPV it delivers 115kW and 240Nm, getting it to the front wheels via six-speed automatic gearbox.Claimed fuel economy is 7.6L/100km, and although we hitting closer to 9L  towards the end of our test, it wasn’t out of order given the amount of hills and load we’d tested. Both petrol and diesel versions offer a decent 1500kg braked towing capacity (750 unbraked) which offers the prospect of hauling trailers and jetskis -- or extra luggage -- on family holidays.DESIGNIt’s a streamlined box, bearing the bold Peugeot face and with sharply angled light clusters and blackened window pillars giving some sweep to the shape. The inside also gets some great touches, including a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light.But the real fun starts with the seats. The three second row seats individually recline, slide forward and back and -- with one of the easiest mechanisms in the field -- flip fold flat. The third row does a similar trick, giving you flat cargo floor and massive 2506-litre capacity from the rear door to the front seats, with the passenger one folding enough for very long items.The third row is reasonably easy to clamber into with the second row down, but once you're in the back it doesn't take long to realise it's designed more for kids than adults if the trip is going to be lengthy.There's a shortage of casual storage space in the front row, with the globebox so small you'll have to keep the owners' manual in a door pocket, and the centre console bin is handy if you want the 'cool box' function, but otherwise so deep you're going to lose things in there.And you'll be reaching for the centre stack and touchscreen to control audio and other functions, with no remote controls on the steering wheel -- giving it a somewhat low-tech look -- and several of them on wands sprouting from the steering column. SAFETYIt's not been crash-tested here, but gets five stars from Euro NCAP, with all the expected electronic stability and braking aids to help with panic stops and uneven distribution of weight in the vehicle, plus an array of airbags covering all three rows.DRIVINGThe steering is very light -- great for parking and you never get the feeling you're trying to wrestle a Kenworth into a shoebox -- a common problem with SUVs. We feared the lightness would make for a Playstation feel on the road, but it's so direct that driving through corners is a joy.The engine is not in the firecracker class, but helped along by turbo boost, it's surprisingly lively for a MPV. Gearing is well-matched to the engine, but the auto box lags a little in the higher slots and higher speeds, although generally only really noticeable when you're looking at swift overtaking.Ride quality is brilliant. We threw it over some fairly poor surfaces, and -- even without the extra damping of weight in every seat -- it smoothed out most of the problems.However, loading all rows adds considerably to the 5008's 1565kg, taxing the engine and making steep hills much more of a chore -- and a noisier one. This is also where you'll start to destroy the fuel economy, and was the main culprit for us ending up with 9.2L/100km (although we still consider that respectably given the tasks we demanded of it).VERDICTAdds some much-needed style and pleasure to the task of carting around people and freight like a small Greyhound bus -- and without driving like one. 

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Earlier this year, French sports car manufacturer PGO Automobiles previewed some updates for its Cévennes  speedster with the one-off Cévennes Water Snake concept car.PGO originally built a name for itself building replica sports cars, predominantly with the Porsche 356. In fact, the Porsche’s lineage can clearly be seen in the Cévennes and other models from the French firm.For the latest Cévennes, which has just gone on sale in Europe, PGO designers have added only subtle updates to the exterior but its mechanicals have been completely renewed.Instead of its previous Peugeot engine, the PGO Cévennes now comes with a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine sourced from BMW. The engine is mounted in a mid-engine position and delivers 135 kilowatts and 240 Newton metres of torque.With a curb weight of just over 998kg, the tiny engine should offer more than enough punch. Top speed is estimated to be around 225km/h. Drive goes to the rear wheels only, via a six-speed manual transmission.The latest updates to the Cévennes also see the rigidity of the car's frame increased by 15 per cent and a new suspension setup, with MacPherson struts front and rear, installed. The wheels measure 17 inches in diameter and are shod with size 205/40 tires.Fans will be able to pick the new Cévennes from previous models by the trunk’s new cut line running just above the PGO logo and the revised lower bumper at the front that features intakes similar to those of the PGO Hemera.www.motorauthority.com 

The French have long made beautiful, if quirky, cars. The latest addition to this fold is the production version of the 191kW Peugeot RCZ R, a hot and sporty version of the standard RCZ.Introduced last year as a concept at the Paris Motor Show, the RCZ R gets its stout power output from a mere 1.6 litres of turbocharged four-cylinder fury putting out 191kW. That puts it among the most potent production cars in the world on a power-per-litre basis--at 118kW/litre, it's 7.4kW/litre ahead of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and Super Sport. And Peugeot says the CO2 emissions of the RCZ R are targeted at just 155g/km.A unique suspension setup, lightweight wheels, and a Torsen limited-slip differential will also enhance performance over the standard model.Full details on the Peugeot RCZ R will be unveiled along with the car at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.www.motorauthority.com 

Want supercar looks without a supersized price tag? This is the French way to get them... it's Peugeot's RCZ - a sleek coupe so sexy it's almost NSFW (not safe for work). The design has been revised and it's ditched the previous gaping maw that gave the first version the look of a recently hooked cod. The face is now more in tune with the rest of the gorgeous body.The swelling flanks, the curvaceous roof, the low glasshouse, all add up to a headturner that echoes the style of a supercar without the huge price. The cabin gets great detailing with hints of luxury and some quality materials at the touchpoints. There's a substantial spec list, including alloy pedals, powered seats with memory settings, and a massive flip-up infotainment and satnav screen.'Add in electronic parking assistance, leather covered sports steering wheel, 19-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights and projector headlights and you've ticked plenty of boxes.There's a heap of room in the front, and the boot's not bad -- you can take quite a bit of gear for a two-person weekend.  The hatch and the boot floor are huge, and folding the back seat down boosts the capacity. But the stunning slope of the roof means the back seats are little more than a parcel rack -- you can climb in but there's no room for heads -- or legs if you're already past primary school age.The automatic is slick in the mock manual mode -- even if it misses out on the trigger change satisfaction you could get from steering wheel paddles. You can get a 147kW petrol engine with a manual -- and there's also a punchy turbodiessel version, but we've tested the milder petrol engine here. It gives you just 115kW of power, but the numbers can be decieving -- this engine  rewards you with a bit of sparkle if you give it some revs and wake the turbo up.Get that going and the car comes to life, and with the competent handling it can be a fun drive. It feels planted and sure on the road, and turns even low speed corners into some legal fun. The handling is helped by the suspension being fairly firm, but the ride quality only gets undermined by really bad surfaces.It's not a hardcore sports car but its got enough bang for the buck to keep most people happy. And its 'beauty for the buck' ratio is off the scale. Some of the finishes may not be quite up to the standard of, say, its German sports rivals. But nor is the price.

Penelope Pitstop, Dick Dastardly and Muttley, the Slag Brothers and all the other Whacky Racers  are revived for a fun Peugeot 208 campaign in Brazil.