Peugeot's new world-beater: 307

The new Peugeot 307 is now on sale. It replaces the 306, the best-selling Peugeot of all time with more than 2.7 million produced since the world-wide launch in February 1993. More than 12,500 306s have been sold in Australia since the vehicle was introduced in 1994. Not bad considering...

Now the 307 is here and Peugeot is hoping that the new model will be just as successful as its precursor.

Initially the 307 will be available as a five-door hatchback. The five door version offers class-leading space and equipment, distinctive style and the highest levels of safety and security thanks to it’s innovative technology.

While the 307’s long list of standard features and equipment is impressive, even more so is the competitive pricing of the new model:

1.6-litre Manual: $25,990 Automatic: $28,190
2.0-litre Manual: $31,490 Automatic: $33,690
2.0-litre Hdi Manual: $29,990

Peugeot 307 – A Sales Success Already

With the 307 just launched onto the Australian market, it has already achieved much success in Europe. Recently voted ‘European Car of the Year 2002’, the 307 is the class leading compact car in France, where it represents 5% of the total new car market. One of the most significant new cars to emerge from Europe this year, 300,000 307’s will be sold this year, climbing to 550,000 in it’s first full year of availability.

The success of the new 307 is driving up total Peugeot sales, with 1.2 million cars sold in the first eight months of 2001, an increase of almost 13% over the same period last year. But enough statistics, let's look at what the car offers.

Comfort and convenience are enhanced by a host of ingenious storage solutions. The glovebox is air-conditioned, allowing owners to keep drinks or snacks cool, slide-out trays beneath the front seats can hide valuables securely out of sight and there are hooks for shopping bags in the boot.

The Peugeot 307 is one of the first cars in its class to feature six airbags as standard. Head and chest airbags for the driver and front passenger are supplemented by curtain airbags running the full length of the car to protect front and rear passengers' heads in the event of a side-on impact.

Many of these advanced features are only possible because of the Peugeot 307's sophisticated multiplex wiring system, something usually found only in more expensive executive cars and pioneered by Citroën. This reduces the normal number of wires and connectors, improving reliability, while allowing more features to be interconnected. The 2.0-litre Peugeot 307 model, for example, comes equipped with light-sensitive headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers.

For security, the boot is automatically locked at speeds over 10 km/h, while the central locking can be activated from within the cabin as a further protection against opportunist thieves. Reinforced door linings and cowled and shielded locks provide additional first-rate protection.

The new Peugeot 307 is one of the most technologically-advanced and fully-equipped cars in its class. Its extensive list of standard safety, security, comfort and luxury items is unmatched in many far more costly executive cars, and it offers features which mark it out as one of the most forward-looking cars on the road today.

The 307 maintains and enhances Peugeot's reputation for building cars which are simultaneously fun to drive, produce a smooth ride, yet are extremely safe in their responses.

It offers buyers a range of powerful yet flexible petrol and turbo diesel engines to suit all needs, allied to manual or automatic front-wheel-drive transmissions with carefully chosen gear ratios. Sequential manual shifting is available with the automatic for the first time.

A highly-rigid body structure forms an ideal platform for the suspension, which is designed to ensure perfect tyre contact with the road at all times. The power-assisted steering uses a hydraulic-electric pump to vary the response so that the driver gets precise reaction with just the right amount of help for the circumstances. And the powerful all-disc brakes have the latest electronic systems to provide rapid, fade-free stopping with no danger of lock-up regardless of conditions.

Two petrol engines and one HDi turbo-diesel (all four-cylinder units) will be available in the Peugeot 307 from launch. The new car has been designed to accommodate all the current and future Peugeot power units.

The 1.6-litre (TU5JP4) engine has a capacity of 1587cc and 16 valves in an alloy head, on an iron block. It develops 80kW @ 5800rpm and 147Nm of torque @ 4000rpm. It gives the 307 a top speed of 190 km/h, with 0-100 km/h taking 11.7 seconds on 5 door versions. Maximum torque is available from 2000rpm and 95% between 3300rpm and 5000rpm, ensuring impressive driveability.

The 2.0-litre (EW10J4) engine was first seen in the Peugeot 406. It is an all-alloy 16-valve twin overhead cam unit of 1997cc producing 100kW @ 6000rpm and 190Nm of torque @ 4100rpm. In the 307 it gives a top speed of 205 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 9.8 seconds on the 5 door.

It also endows the 307 with superb flexibility of at least 169 Nm of torque which is available all the way from 1800rpm to 5750rpm. The engine characteristics allied to relatively short gearing give excellent performance with good overall fuel economy.

The 2.0-litre (DW10) 66 kW HDi turbo diesel engine is a 1997cc single overhead camshaft unit giving an excellent combination of performance, economy, refinement and low emissions. It develops its 66 kW @ 4000rpm and a maximum 205 Nm of torque @ 1900rpm. Powered by this engine, the 307 reaches a top speed of 179 km/h, covers 0-100 km/h in 13.8 seconds.

All Peugeot 307 engines meet Euro-3 emissions standards. An on-board diagnostic system monitors emissions and warns the driver in the event of a malfunction. A plug-in socket enables the service technicians to find and rectify any fault quickly and easily.

Peugeot has included several wheel-and-tyre combinations to meet the needs of comfort, handling and style. They vary from 6x15-inch rims fitted with 195/65R15 tyres on the 1.6-litre petrol and the 2.0-litre Hdi models, to the 6.5x16-inch alloy rims with 205/55 R16V tyres fitted to the 2.0-litre petrol 307.

The new 307 maintains Peugeot's reputation for producing cars which are inexpensive to own. Ease of maintenance and repair has been designed in from the outset, while its innovative safety and security technology helps it preserve/improve the highly-competitive insurance rates of its predecessor, the 306.

The 307's bumpers shrug off minor parking knocks, while all-round side protection strips guard against paintwork damage from carelessly-opened doors in car-park bays.

Routine maintenance costs are reduced by the 307's long servicing intervals of 20,000 kilometres for both the petrol and the HDi turbo diesel models. The 307 will be sold in Australia with a 2-year, unlimited kilometre mechanical warranty, 12 years’ anti corrosion guarantee and 3 years' protection against paintwork defects.

Standard equipment on all models will include:

• Six airbags - front, side and curtain
  

• Height adjustable front passenger seat, front folding armrests and illuminated vanity mirrors
  

• Body coloured door handles, boot handle and mirror housings.
  

• Front and rear electric windows, electrically operated and heated exterior mirrors
  

• Climate control and air-conditioning
  

• ABS brakes and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD)
  

• Six speaker Radio/CD player
  

• Three rear headrests
  

• Boot net to secure luggage
  

• Remote central locking with anti-theft immobiliser
  

• On board computer
  
  
  
  In addition, the 2.0-litre petrol model is equipped with:

• 16” alloy wheels
  

• Body coloured bumper rub strips and side mouldings
  

• Rain-sensing wipers, front fog lights, automatic headlight illumination system
  

• Rear centre armrest with integrated storage compartment, rear 12 volt accessory plug
  

• 5 CD stacker
  

• Leather steering wheel, gear knob and gear lever

Colours:

• Bianca White
  

• Cherry Red
  

• Platinum Grey
  

• Diablo Red
  

• China Blue
  

• Obsidien Black

Prices:

1.6-litre Manual: $25,990
Automatic: $28,190

2.0-litre Manual: $31,490
Automatic: $33,690

2.0-litre HDi Manual: $29,990