Peugeot 207 CC: Sophisticated French Style 

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/Dec/2006

Paris, France — French automaker Peugeot has good news for lovers of affordable (and attractive) convertibles - the new 207 CC will be launched in 2007. European customers can get their hands on the new model in March 2007, and Australian deliveries are expected later in the year.

The current convertible small car that Peugeot sells in Australia, the 206 CC, is a solid earner, having clocked up almost 500 sales in 2006, and when the new 207 CC model launches in 2007 it is likely to stimulate sales of the small 2-door coupe convertible even further. 

With an all-new look and new engines, the French automaker expects interest to be high for the new 207 CC, which will be powered by a pair of 1.6-litre engines when it launches in Australia. There's also a 1.6-litre diesel engine, but this is less likely to come Australia with the first batch of 207 CC models, but will be a mainstay of the European fleet. Pricing levels are expected to be competitive with the non-turbo 1.6-litre model likely to ship for under $35,000.

Electric Roof Mechanism

Peugeot has revealed that the electric folding roof for the 207 CC is a new system compared to the system used on the 206 CC, and was developed in house rather than out-sourcing to another company (as was previouslythe case, with the roof supplied by French company, Heuliez).

Peugeot claims the new roof system is the result of it's expertise in the design and manufacturing of Coupé Cabriolets, and is a high quality and highly durable system. Some early 206 CC models had problems with the roof seizing, but these were isolated and Peugeot has learned from its mistakes.

Assembled at a facility in Madrid, owned by the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, the roof is assembled and then sent to the 207 CC assembly line, which is also inside the same plant.

Peugeot says the new roof system has a similar operation to the 206 CC, but that the 207 CC roof differs significantly in terms of convenience thanks to its entirely automatic operation - there are no more manual release handles. The only manual operation consists of pressing the control button for around about 25 seconds. All four windows are lowered automatically during the roof raising/lowering process to ensure optimal roof sealing.

Engines

Peugeot has announced that the new 207 CC will be available at it's European launch with two petrol engines and one diesel engine. All models will be front-wheel drive, however the diesel engine is not a certainty just yet, and will likely to be offered some time after the vehicle's launch in Australia.

The entry-level engine is called the EP6, a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with 16-valves and able to output a maximum 90kW (120hp) and 160Nm of torque. Peugeot says the EP6 is the second engine created from the co-operation between PSA Peugeot Citroën and the BMW Group, and is also used in the Mini Cooper, and key features include a 'very' flat torque curve with 88% of it's total torque attainable from 2000rpm.

Power: 90kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 160Nm @ 4250rpm
0-100km/h: 10.7 seconds

The range-topping power house engine is internally known as the EP6DT, which is the same 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that gives the much-admired Mini Cooper S it's tenacious spirit with 110kW (150hp). Peugeot says the new turbo 1.6 offers effortless driveability thanks to its maximum torque of 240Nm from an engine speed of only 1400rpm, and that due to its innovative twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing system and direct petrol injection, it's also a very fuel efficient petrol engine.

Power: 110kW @ 5800rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1400rpm
0-100km/h: 8.6 seconds

Peugeot Australia has indicated that the 1.6-litre diesel engine will be offered on 207 hatch models Down Under, so this could be taken that the 207 CC will get the engine as well, but nothing is set in stone as yet. Called the DV6TED4, the 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine whacks out 82kW (110hp), which should provide a useful mixture of performance and low fuel consumption.

Power: 82kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1750rpm
0-100km/h: ?

Peugeot says that all engine types will be equipped with 5-speed manual gearbox as standard fitment, and that a 4-speed automatic transmission with a Porsche-developed tiptronic sequential control is also available with the naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Design & Style

Peugeot explains that, as with the 207 hatchback, the 207 CC shares the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group’s No1 platform and the 'sport' exterior styling found on the hatchback performance models. Styled by the Peugeot Style Centre, like the 206 CC the 207 CC shares the same 2+2 seating set, and features the 207 hatchback's 'face' that includes a large lower air dam and pointy headlights. And this design is also prevalent across the entire Peugeot range, seen in models like the 407 and 307, which helps tie the models together and creates a tidy brand design DNA. The dimensions aren't vastly different from the 206 CC model: it measures 4.037 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.397 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.54 metres.

Based on a new platform, the new 207 CC is also more rigid than it's forebear, which may translate into better power down and improved handling. The French company says that its excellent body rigidity allows the suspension to operate to its full potential, thereby strengthening the overall driving experience and pleasure.

Interior

Peugeot says the new 207 CC is fitted with new sport seats that position the driver and front passenger lower than that of the hatchback, which not only increases the sensation of speed, but also meets the expectations of Coupé Cabriolet users according to the car maker. Peugeot also claims that it's new convertible is a real 2+2, which sets it apart from its rivals with useless rear seats and thusly widens its potential customer base, and the front seats are tilted forward to provide access to the rear seats.

Peugeot promises a luxurious interior for potential 207 CC customers, outfitted with high quality materials and interior trimming. But that's about it - no other details as yet. Leather? Possibly, but more likely a mixture of leather and cloth to keep costs reasonable. It has also been revealed that the 207 CC can be optioned with either manual or automatic dual-zone air conditioning, which also detects when the vehicle is being operated in the Cabriolet configuration, so that it can adapt its operation to the chosen body configuration.

And how's this - the 207 CC can even be equipped with a fragrance diffuser, with seven fragrances offered, which is integrated in the centre console fascia panel, and the operation of which has been patented.

Bootspace is 449 litres in the Coupé configuration (roof over heads), and 187 litres of space with the roof down in the Cabriolet configuration, while a space-saver spare tyre is included.

Safety

Passive safety levels in the new 2007 model year 207 CC have been improved, with a stronger subframe to reduce the impact of a frontal collision, and Peugeot claims that, in order to reduce the effect of a side impact, the design of the A and B pillars and lower sill panels create a solid reinforced safety frame around occupants.

Other standard safety features include an active roll-over protection system and five airbags, including two adaptive front airbags, plus two head-chest (thorax) side airbags located in the side of the front seats and the fifth airbag is a steering column airbag, which has been designed to protect the driver's lower limbs, sort of like the knee airbags that Lexus offer.

History

Peugeot regales that it was back in the 1930s that it started the innovative concept of the Coupé Cabriolet, with the 401, 601 and 402 “Eclipse”. This concept was to become one of Peugeot’s trademark features and today’s cars, the 206 and 307 CC have made the marque the No1 seller of Coupé Cabriolets, with today world wide sales of more than 500,000 vehicles, since 2001.

The car, that changed the UK convertible car market for ever, was the Peugeot 206 CC. Launched in the UK in January 2001, the 206 CC broke new ground with regards to technology, manufacturing and cost. It brought a Coupé Cabriolet with an electric folding roof into the price range of everyone, not just the preserve of the prestigious car market segment. Its introduction saw it transform the UK market for convertible cars and become the best-selling convertible car in the UK for three consecutive years. Its success, however, is world wide, with more than 360,000 units produced it is the world’s best selling small Coupé Cabriolet.

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