Peugeot 607 Reviews

This week a minor victory was won in the war of attrition waged by people who hate cars -- which is to say time-rich, underemployed people with absolutely nothing better to do.On the basis of complaints by these wowser stickybeaks, the unsmiling bureaucrats of the Advertising Standards Board censured Peugeot for a television ad in which a passenger in a 4008 SUV waves her hand outside the window. They weren't aiming an Uzi at rival gang members or even making the universal salute. They were waving."A person must not travel in or on a motor vehicle with any part of the person's body outside a window or door of the vehicle," parped the Board. The sequence is to be edited. There is some consolation that the Board rejected two other complaints -- one that the car was being driven in reckless and menacing manner.I've made it a point to see this innocuous and otherwise forgettable ad and can only suggest that the last accuser should refrain from watching TV under the influence of hallucinogens. I've been told who made one of the complaints, but have a policy of withholding from print the name of this notorious publicity seeker and sufferer or relevance deficit disorder. Giving these people oxygen only encourages them to breath.An advocacy body or even political party for and by the people who drive is long overdue. One of you, surely, must be up for it. Just think, you'll represent a hitherto silent majority, one tired of having life made miserable by government authorities and then being forced to pay them for the privilege. I'd vote for you. 

Peugeot’s 508 sedan and wagon replaced the 407 last year with the aim of becoming a strong contender in the Aussie large car market. Since the 508 landed here mid-2011 it has slowly established ground, accounting for 828 of the 3,483 Peugeot sales so far this year. However, its rivals the Volkswagen Passat with 3,432 sales and Ford Mondeo with 3,554 sales are clear front runners. The 508 GT version tested here was a late arrival to the line-up, rolling into Peugeot showrooms in April this year, so has had a shorter time to prove itself. VALUEPriced from $55,990, standard features include an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, 12V auxiliary sockets, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, leather seats, glass sunroof, driving lamps and fog lamps. And the warranty is a standard 3 years with 100,000km roadside assist.There are several optional extras that can raise the price by nearly $8,000 including 19-inch alloy wheels for $500, power tailgate for $1000, Nappa leather seats with memory settings for $2500 and premium pearl white paint for $1300.You can also add GPS satellite navigation for $1500 or GPS satellite navigation plus JBL HiFi for $2300. But the navigation system is the old school ‘scroll to each letter and number’ rather than a more user-friendly touch screen. However, once your destination is locked in the directions are clear and it works efficiently, and it shows you the closest petrol stations and other handy landmarks nearby.TECHNOLOGYThe 508 gets a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder engine with 150kW of power and 450Nm of torque. And the GT version comes with double wishbone suspension and a 0-100km/h time of 8.4 seconds, more than a second quicker than the Touring Allure.It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (no manual variant is available) and the only fuel type available is diesel, with an official combined fuel economy of 5.9L/100km. However we tested the wagon on a mix of city streets, major highways and quiet country roads and returned an average of 7.4L/100km - nearly 20 per cent higher.DESIGNThe 508 GT Touring has a classic wagon silhouette, with a large bonnet and extended rear. The wide grille is flanked by two slanting headlights and there is chrome detailing on the windows and door handles – overall the 508 is attractive. A nice touch is the electronic side mirrors that open and close when you unlock or lock the 508. On the inside there’s a leather steering wheel, with embellished stitching and Peugeot’s signature black piano lacquered detailing. What you’ll really notice is the abundance of features. The dashboard and shift knob are surrounded by buttons that deliver surprises to the driver. Our favourite has to be the “massaging” driver’s seat feature that adds to the luxury feel.There are sports styled speedometers, and several information displays including fuel consumption, km to empty and suburb location. There’s also an impressive panoramic sunroof that reaches all the way to the rear of the wagon, with the rear and back windows tinted to cut UV and provide privacy. The power tailgate makes loading the boot easy, just press the button and toss all your gear in there.As with all things there are a few negatives. The inside lacks places for your bits and pieces, as there’s only a very small central compartment and two cup holders. So you’ll struggle to find a place for a large water bottle or any other personal items that you want within arm’s reach.SAFETYThe 508 has a 5 star ANCAP crash rating with safety features that include six airbags, ABS and electronic brake force distribution, central locking, fog lamps at the front and rear, Bi-Xenon headlamps, park assist and tyre pressure sensors.DRIVINGWhile the GT designation might raise your hopes of it being a hot version, it’s not a sports performance wagon. In the 508’s case the GT stands for Grand Tourer and spells out an effortless and comfortable driving experience.The noise of the diesel engine only slightly enters the cabin, and the sound itself is pleasing - Peugeot knows its stuff when it comes to diesel engines. The 508 Touring takes off quickly and stops just as well, with refined and progressive brake feel.The six-speed automatic transmission is well mated to the 2.2-litre engine, with plenty of power on climbs and the suspension handles rough surfaces well. While the overall drive experience is more than adequate, the steering control lets it down with the electronic system giving a numb feeling around sharper corners.The large side mirrors assist when reversing and there are also front sensors - although you might wish there weren’t after a little while with their sensitive reactions beeping loudly near anything they see as an obstruction - we quickly found the noise distracting. And as with many other wagons the turning circle for the 4813mm body is a bit wide at 12.2 metres.VERDICTWhile it’s not the cheapest wagon out there, those looking for that extra something special will not be disappointed: classic wagon body, prestige features and a comfortable drive.

It comes as no surprise that Peugeot’s new 208 is all about style, after all the French and flair are synonymous. In an unusual move we will discuss the style of the 208’s interior before we get on to talk about it body. That’s because of a radical new shapes and ideas within the car.The new Peugeot 208 Active starts at $18,490 for the 1.2-litre three cylinder. The 1.6-litre four cylinder Allure starts at $21,490, while the top of the range 1.6 four cylinder turbocharged Allure Sport comes in at $26,490.Lower set, and in the centre of the car, a seven-inch multifunction touchscreen provides access to the satellite navigation and onboard audio systems. The latter comes complete with the usual inputs for music and telephone, but, interestingly no CD player. Peugeot feels the era of the audio CD is now history.Power comes from a choice of three engines, 1.2-litre with three cylinders, a four-cylinder 1.6 with natural aspiration, or the latter unit with a turbocharger to push along the Active Sport model. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are offered.The first thing you will notice stepping into the Peugeot 208 is the tiny steering wheel, the sort of wheel you would expect to find in a sports car, not in a family hatchback. The miniature wheel is there not to make a styling statement, but to leave space above itself so the driver can view the high-set instatement layout.The intention is that the driver takes their attention off the road for a minimum amount of time to scan the instruments, and thus increases road safety. These instruments are set within a dashboard design that’s classy and finished to a high standard. The plastics have pleasingly soft finish and the minor controls not only look good but function in an easy to use manner.Peugeot 208‘s all-new body comes in three and five-door format. However, the three-door isn’t simply a five-door with fewer openings, it takes quite a different approach to style. Thus the three-door has a real sporty appearance, while the five-door has a slightly less radical shape. The latter still hasn’t lost out in the flair stakes, though.Peugeot was in the vanguard of the latest car ‘big-grille’ styling theme, with close to a decade since it first moved in what was considered a provocative new direction. Now Peugeot has left the others, who have been copying its ideas in recent times, and set off in a new styling direction.While the Peugeot 208 still has a large grille the focus isn’t on the complete grille, but rather on the central section. This is raised in what Peugeot calls a ‘floating’ manner, leaving the main segment of the grille in the background to frame rather than dominate the frontal appearance. Depending on which of the grades of 208 you select – Active or Allure – you get a different finish to the floating segment.The smaller, lighter body has more interior space than the outgoing cars, particularly in the back seat. You wouldn't want to cram five big Aussie blokes in this small car, but two plus a trio of kids will fit nicely.The 208 is marginally smaller on the outside than the 207 it replaces, but intelligent design works gives it even more safety in a crash. Peugeot is proud of the fact that its 208 is the first car in the world to score five stars in the recently toughened-up European NCAP crash testing.On the road on a drive program organised by Peugeot in the Gold Coast hinterland we were able to sample the 1.2 and 1.6 engines, but only with manual gearboxes as imports are still pending. The 1.6 naturally aspirated probably has enough performance for most drivers, but interestingly our favourite was the little 1.2-litre three-cylinder.We like the willingness and character of three-cylinder units and the way they are happy to rev. Though it has to be said that the latter is a handy feature because in the interests of economy this engine isn’t designed as a high-performance powerplant. So you do need to use lower gears on any sort of a hill and keep in mind that on level roads the fuel consumption is going to be well down.Steering and suspension are brilliant and the feel through the tiny steering wheel is great. You really do get the feel you’re in a sports machine, not just a family hatch.In typical Peugeot manner the ride comfort is good despite this excellent handling ability.

The original Lion brand has been in and out of my personal life since I first drew breath - I grew up riding in the back of a 504 and spent time in a number of models during my formative years - 405, 205, 505 and a classic 404. Having sampled the flagship 2.2-litre turbodiesel 508 GT we're spending time in a mid-spec

If Victoria Beckham were French, she’d drive a Peugeot 4008 instead of a Range Rover Evoque. The former Posh Spice had a hand - so they say - in styling the interior of the Evoque and she wouldn’t be disappointed with the 4008.While the Pug is French, there are none of the usual French quirks about styling or utilitarianism inside. The blinkers are on the right side, the handbrake is close to the driver and all the controls are intuitive – all this in a very stylish catwalk model. Kind of like having a French girlfriend with no nasty habits liking smoking Gauloise in bed.VALUEHere’s one of the best attractions about this French model - she’s not expensive. The two-wheel-drive models start with five-speed manual in Active trim at $28,990 which makes them comparable to Japanese and Korean models (Nissan Dualis, Hyundai ix35 and Mitsubishi ASX on which it is based). CVT adds $2500 and all-wheel drive an extra $2000.The Active comes with a host of features including cruise control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, chilled glovebox, daytime running lights, automatic lights and wipers, cloth seats, leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels. Allure adds 18-inch alloys and leather seats which are heated and electronically controlled up front. Top of the line is the all-wheel-drive Allure with CVT at $38,490 with all the fruit.It’s French class at Asian prices. However, the sting is in the cost of metallic paint at $800 and the “premium” shade which is an extra  $1300. Peugeot has followed the trend with fixed-price servicing of $330 a year for three years making it a practical as well as attractive proposition. This is also available on fleet sales. Peugeot even throws in a valet service.TECHNOLOGYPeugeot has been at the forefront of diesel cars in Australia and the company has championed diesel on the famous Le Mans circuit with some success. Yet there is no diesel on offer here. Instead, it’s the same two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from the ASX. The 110kW of power pulls the 1.4-tonnne vehicle to 100km/h in just under 10 seconds, which is ok but hardly sizzling.And it’s not as if it’s frugal at claimed figures of 7.7L/100km for the manual two-wheel drive and up to 8.1L/100km for the CVT AWD. On our tests in the Allure AWD CVT and Active AWD manual over a mix of road and traffic conditions, we scored a dribble under 9L/100km for both.DESIGN The resemblance to the stunning Evoque is uncanny, particularly in the bold front end. However, the roof line doesn’t dip as far toward coupe-like styling as the Evoque and the result is that the rear compartment is not as cramped or claustrophobic. You wouldn’t think it was based on the rather plain-Jane ASX. Inside, it is not as stylish as the Evoque, but still quite a classy place to be. And thankfully all the controls are intuitive and easy to use. This is very atypical of the French who like to make things difficult and quirky. No stalks hidden behind steering columns here or audio systems that make you guess what the buttons are for.SAFETYThe 4008 has not been crash tested here yet, but it has a maximum five-star Euro NCAP score. All models come standard with a rear camera and seven airbags. Strangely there is a full-size spare wheel under the boot floor but it is only rated up to 80km/h. It takes up cargo space, yet doesn’t really provide much peace of mind if you venture out bush to test its AWD capabilities.DRIVINGPeugeot has toughened up the suspension over the ASX to give this more off-road capability. It feels remarkably tied down on sealed roads with little wallow around sweepers or sway in quick changes of line. Yet it does crash and bang over the hard hits off road or in city potholes. There is substantial road grip out of the road-biased tyres, but these are compromised in sticky off-road situations. While the suspension is taut, the rest of the drive experience is a little on the soft side. Brakes lack initial bite and the steering feels a little ponderous. Still, they both have feel and effect. The engine is smooth and refined without being either lusty or frugal like some of its peers from VW and Mazda. It is perhaps hampered by transmissions that don’t match the performance.While the CVT is smooth and doesn’t scream like most, it doesn’t provide swift responses to throttle input. The five-speed manual just seems out of date with today’s six-cog units. The manual does have a nice gate and the clutch is very light. A hill-start hold is a handy addition. Driver and passenger accommodation is comfortable with easy access and plenty of leg and headroom. However, it will still only fit two teens or adults comfortably in the rear. Extra sound deadening material provides a quiet cabin. Surprisingly there seems to be more luggage space than the ASX.VERDICTFor French flair without the price tag, this is a good value proposition.

Factory closures are becoming increasingly probable after European car registrations fell to their lowest level in 22 years last month. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) notes the sales slowdown is accelerating and now predicts a slump of up to 10 per cent for the year.In all, just 688,168 new vehicles were registered in August, the lowest total for the month since the EU data was first compiled in 1990. With some factories already running at 50 per cent of capacity, there is talk of Fiat, Ford and Opel closing the doors on some of their most unprofitable production lines.“Something needs to give,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said last week, adding that Fiat will outline a blueprint for the “European challenge” when it releases third quarter results later this year. Ford was the biggest loser in August with sales down by almost a third on the previous year, a fact it attributes to a decision not to match rivals discounts during what is traditionally the slowest car sales month on the EU calendar. “There was a lot of short-cycle business and heavy incentives that we decided largely to refrain from, Ford of Europe's marketing chief Roelant de Waard says. The Volkswagen Group's massive product portfolio made it one of the few carmakers to increase sales, led by Audi increasing its share of the luxury car segment. In contrast, Opel/Vauxhall saw a 19 per cent fall in registrations, Fiat was down 18 per cent and both Renault and Peugeot/Citroen were hit with 13 per cent drops. Registrations by country largely reflect those hurting worst from the sovereign debt crisis. Greece and Portugal lead the way with falls of 40 per cent year-to-date, Italy is down by almost 20 per cent and Spanish registrations fell by 8.5 per cent. Ominously for France, registrations this year are down 13.4 per cent, while Germany, which accounts for one in three of all cars sold in Europe, has seen its market contract by 0.6 per cent. The French Government has fiercely resisted factory closures on its turf and criticised Peugeot last month when it announced it would shed up to 10,000 jobs and close a factory in the north of the country. That's not an option for Renault, with the government holding a controlling stake in the French carmaker. 

Peugeot is unveiling the next step in optimising the 208 platform with the 2008 concept SUV. Due to debut at Paris motor show later this month, the 2008 concept takes styling cues from the Peugeot Urban Crossover unveiled at Geneva motor show earlier this year – but trumpets its arrival with a blaring neon green and black finish. Compact cars are booming in sales around the world, and many carmakers are keen to build niches in that segment. So it’s logical to see Peugeot bringing a production version of the 2008 concept to market in the near future. Engine details for the 2008 concept will be announced in Paris, but a production version will likely be offered with both petrol and diesel options – with the latter something the French brand does particularly well.  

... so Peugeot is adding a family version of the 308 in addition to a 008 crossover. Carparazzi caught it in hot-weather testing in southern Europe with pictures that show a considerable increase in length and width. 

The Peugeot Onyx concept will be unveiled at Paris motor show at the end of this month, but judging by the images and video it promises to be a show star. Peugeot's sales are suffering the slump of Europe's economic mire, but you'd never know it from the exuberant design of the concept renderings and video. The Onyx crouches aggressively low and wide, with backswept headlights echoed by a slash of LEDs delineating the deep scoops of the air intakes. The rear lines of the signature double-bubble roofline from the brand's sports hero RCZ flow down to a crescent of gilled vents, pointing to a rear engine -- tipped to be a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit. However it's likely to follow the Peugeot SR1 concept of 2010 in also having an electric motor, possibly driving the front wheels. The video shows an active spoiler and suggests liberal use of carbon fibre to highlight the sports positioning of the concept.  

French carmakers have long had an on-again, off-again relationship with this country, which has made buying one a test of faith in the brand.NEWFollowing victories in rallies such as the Round Australian trials dating back to the 1950s Peugeot has been held in high regard, but periods of absence or little activity have pushed them to the back of the market to the point they often get overlooked when buyers go shopping. For that reason the 307 was pushing uphill in a very competitive market segment when it arrived on the scene in 2001.At its launch it was only available as a five-door hatch, but a wagon was added to the range a year later. The 307 followed the styling trend of the day. It was rather upright and had a long sloping bonnet that merged with a steeply raked windscreen. Inside, it was quite roomy with the driver and front seat passenger enjoying a comfortable ride in well-shaped and supportive seats.Rear passengers weren't afforded quite the same comfort with legroom a little restricted, forcing those in the front seats to compromise by sliding their seats forward a little to accommodate them. Luggage capacity was reasonable, with the 60/40 split-fold rear seat adding to its load-carrying flexibility.There were three engines on offer at the launch of the 306, a base 1.6-litre four-cylinder that left you feeling a little flat, a 2.0-litre four that pepped you up, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that left you feeling good at the end of the week. A choice of five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions was available, one of the autos had sports shifting, and the final drive was via the front wheels.If French cars struggle to match their Japanese rivals in value-for-money terms they appeal when it comes to their on-road manners and the 307 was no different. With a nicely balanced chassis it handled well, steered nicely, and rode comfortably to boot. It was a treat to drive.NOWFeedback from 307 owners varies from super critical to heaps of praise. Some love the comfort and general driving experience they have had, others report nightmares of unreliability and expense.  From what we've heard the fit and finish of the cabin is variable and bits and pieces of trim fall off with regularity. It also seems that the 307 is plagued by electrical gremlins.Mechanically it appears quite robust, although we had one report of a blown head gasket at around 150,000 km. With most showing around 150,000 km on the odometer it's necessary to thoroughly check any car before laying out your cash. Check all systems to make sure they are working; you don't want to get home and find the air-conditioning is on the blink.You should also go on a reasonably long road test taking in as many road conditions as possible, listening for any suspension knocks or clunks, rattles or pinging from the engine, whining and the like from the transmission and drivelines. Along the way head to a car park or open area where you can drive the car slowly in a tight turning circle in both directions while listening for any noises or shuddering that might suggest worn drive shafts.Also make sure your potential purchase has been regularly serviced with regular oil changes. It's also worth finding a Peugeot mechanic to service your car, many owners complain about the cost of Peugeot dealer servicing and the price of parts.SMITHY SAYSCan be rewarding to drive, but can also be a nightmare if you choose the wrong car.Peugeot 307 2001-2005Price new: $28,190 to $33,690Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 80 kW/147 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 100 kw/190 Nm; 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, 66 kW/205 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manualEconomy: 6.4 L/100 km (1.6), 7.9 L/100 km (2.0); 5.4 L/100 km (2.0 TD) Body: 5-door hatch, 4-door wagonVariants: 1.6, 2.0, 2.0 HDi, XS HDi, XSE, XSiSafety: 4-star ANCAP