Peugeot 207 GTi: Compact, Classy, Quick

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/Feb/2007

Geneva, Switzerland — If you're looking at buying a new compact car in the next six months, Peugeot is going to do everything it can to persuade you that it's new 207 has the 'right stuff'. 

As well as offering naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol models and even a diesel engines, the French group is launching a new go-fast version - the 207 GTi. The Editor has reviewed the previous Peugeot GTi version, the 206 - click here if you're interested.

Called the 207 RC in Europe, the car will be badged as the GTi in Australia, and the name tag refers to the car's sporting nature. More powerful than the entry-level petrol versions of the 207, the new GTi model uses a turbocharged 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine that was developed in conjunction with BMW to generate its power. 

BMW uses the same engine in its new Mini Cooper S sports compact.

Peugeot is using the 2007 Geneva Motor Show to launch its new half-sized hero to the world, which has a top speed 220km/h, can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds and manages to be fuel efficient at the same time, using 7.2L/100km on the combined city/highway cycle.

Peugeot of Europe has confirmed that the 207 RC will be launched at the beginning of the Northern Spring (Australian Autumn) and will arrive in Australia mid-year - expected to be July 2007. The new go-fast model uses a 1.6-litre turbo engine in place of the 206 GTi's 2.0-litre naturally aspirated motor, and will bolster the new 207 range which is coming to Australia in March.

The European company insists the tenacious GTi will write the next chapter in Peugeot's history of small performance cars, such as the 205 GTi of the 1980s and, more recently, the 206 GTi. 

The new 207 GTi is the modern evolution of a compact vehicle with a strong sporting edge, but manages to temper this with low emissions and ease of use for everyday driving duties. 

Peugeot's new 207 GTi features a sporty 3-door body shell, which is improved with a number of subtle luxury additions. While the raison d'être of the 207 GTi is to appeal to individuals who are passionate about driving, the car's standard specification will ensure its a popular model in the 207 range.

Interior

Peugeot explains that the 207 GTi is firmly anchored in the world of motor sport, where the passenger compartment rejects the standard 5 seat layout in favour of a 2+2 interior where both front and rear passengers enjoy the ride in "bucket" style seats that provide excellent support. 

The sculpted and ergonomically designed front seats have been based on those used in motor sport and trimmed in dark Alcantara with a matching 3D mesh. Their visual appeal is enhanced by visible light-coloured stitching which matches that of the passenger compartment Alcantara trimmed door panels, carpets, and the gear lever gaiter.

An appealing interior includes an instrument panel which is similar to that usually found on a motor bike, with its circular chrome-trimmed dials, checked graphics, rounded typography and red needles. The perforated leather steering wheel has moulded thumb grips and is further enhanced by a ring with an "Indy" decoration, and there's also soft-to-the-touch materials used on the air vent controls and centre console of the 207 GTi. 

Like any performance compact car, aluminium pedals with non-slip pads ensure that your brake, clutch and accelerator inputs are precise and controlled.

The following features will be offered with the 207 GTi, some of which will be cost options:

Automatic dual-zone air conditioning
MP3 compatible CD / radio (JBL Hi-fi system optional) 
Peugeot RT3 telematics system with RDS radio
GPS satellite navigation and GSM telephone & 7-inch' 16/9 colour display
Rear parking aid
Cruise control
Automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensors
Tyre (under-inflation) sensors
Electro-chromatic interior rear-view mirror

Exterior

The 207 GTi has a length of 4.037 metres, a dynamic 3-door body shape with its expressive look at the front, combined with a wider front and rear track and wheel arches inspired by the 206 WRC and the world of motor sport. This increased width gives the car improved traction through curves in the road and better cornering stability in general.

Combining with its wide stance, the 207 GTi is fitted with Bridgestone Potenza 205/45 R17 tyres mounted on new 17-inch nine-spoke "Pitlane" wheels, and other features include a rear spoiler that optimises aerodynamic efficiency at high speed, or so Peugeot claims. There's also trapezoidal twin chrome exhausts to top it off.

With it's smooth lines and dynamic profile the car comes across as sporty, despite it's small size, and thanks to the dark "black chrome" masking of the feline shaped headlamps the front end has a more decisive edge than normal.

The choice of exterior colours for the 207 GTi captures the performance car feel perfectly with existing colours including: Bianca White, Flamenco Red, Obsidien Black, Metallic Grey, Aegean Blue and a new pearlescent anthracite colour - Shark Grey - which particularly reflects the car's temperament.

This new colour is reserved for the GTi only, as is the dark tinted rear windscreen and rear windows, the bright finish of the door B-pillars and the hi-tech satin chrome door mirror covers.

Engine

Peugeot is calling the new joint-venture 1.6-litre performance engine the THP, or Turbo High Pressure. It produces a maximum power of 128kW (175hp) and a torque of 240Nm from only 1600rpm, thanks to the boosting capabilities of the turbocharger. 

The torque output of the engine remains unchanged from 1600rpm all the way up to 4500rpm, but can be increased to 260Nm temporarily thanks to the "over-boost" function. It is fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox with specific gear ratios.

With the driver only in the car, performance figures are as follows:

• 0 – 100km/h: 7.1 seconds

• Maximum speed: 220km/h

• 1000m standing start: 27.8 seconds

• In gear acceleration (5th): 7.0 seconds for 80 – 120km/h

• Combined fuel consumption is 7.2 litres/100 km (171g of CO2/km)

Peugeot says that to achieve both excellent performance and low fuel consumption the engine includes a number of innovative features including high-pressure direct petrol injection, which comprises a high-pressure injection pump supplying individual fuel injectors that inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber at a maximum pressure of 120 bar.

There's also the "over-boost" system, believed to be first seen on Porsche's 911 Turbo (997), which enables the torque output to be increased temporarily from 240Nm to 260Nm in the top three gears by allowing turbo boost to surpass its limit momentarily.

The twin-scroll turbocharger is at the heart of the 207 GTi's performance, which combines the exhaust gases flowing from two individual cylinders in the exhaust manifold before they enter the turbocharger compressor. The combined flow of the exhaust gasses is directed through "scrolls" in the turbocharger turbine housing increasing the force applied to rotate the turbine. Peugeot explains the direct result is a reduction in the turbocharger response time, otherwise known as turbo lag.

Other features include continuously variable timing of the inlet camshaft (Variable Valve Timing (VVT)) and the use of roller cam followers, help to reduce internal friction and increase power and torque while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The controlled output oil pump supplies only the exact volume of oil required by the engine and eliminates unnecessary engine power consumption and the detrimental effect on fuel consumption.

In essence, this very small engine has been tooled with technology usually only found in much larger performance motors, and the result is high levels of performance and economy for a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.

Chassis

Strengthened McPherson type front struts and front ball joints, a stiffer rear torsion beam, changes to the stiffness of the front and rear springs and damper settings, electric power steering calibrated according to the new performance levels, and larger ventilated front disc brakes (302 x 26mm) distinguish the 207 GTi from the rest of the range. 

A car with performance in its genes, the 207 GTi is equipped as standard with the latest-generation ESP system which can be switched off fully, thereby disconnecting the traction control, yaw control and emergency braking assistance functions. This will, therefore, allow more demanding and experienced drivers to appreciate the exceptional handling of the 207 GTi, particularly on a racing circuit.

There's also a new system being deployed on the 207 GTi, explains Peugeot - the SSP function (Steering Stability Program).

According to the French car maker, this function manages the dialogue between the ESP system functions and the vehicle's electric power steering when braking on surfaces that have different grip levels for the right-hand and left-hand wheels. The system applies more braking power to the wheels with good grip - usually the outside wheel on dry surfaces - and anticipates any vehicle instability and then applies torque to the steering to help the driver achieve optimal directional control. Unlike an ABS system which limits braking of the wheels with good grip to give priority to vehicle control, this system reduces braking distances by around 4% while still guaranteeing vehicle stability in a straight line.

Safety

Peugeot has confirmed the 207 GTi will come with six air bags and two Isofix child safety seat mountings at the rear, and was awarded five stars in the EuroNCAP test for adult occupants, four stars for child occupant protection and three stars in the test to assess the protection offered to pedestrians involved in a collision with the vehicle.

Peugeot will begin selling the new 207 range in Australia in March, and the GTi is expected to arrive mid year, most likely in July, with pricing expected to be around the $33,000 mark.

Related articles:
- Peugeot 206 GTi (Road Test)
- Peugeot 307 XSE HDi (Road Test)
- Peugeot 407 Touring HDi (Road Test)
- Peugeot 407 SV (Road Test)
- Peugeot 207 CC (2007)
- Peugeot 4007 SUV (2007)
- Peugeot Spider 207 (2007)
- Peugeot 908 RC (concept)