Peugeot's Paris Power Play

By Feann Torr

Not to be outdone at its domestic motor show, Peugeot has invested heavily in 2004, promising no less than 52 vehicles and 3 concept cars on some 4000 square metres of exhibition floor space at the Paris Motor Show.

The intriguing 1007 super mini has already been unveiled (you can read about it here), as have a number of other eye-catching models, including the brand new 407, which we'll get to later in the article.

But in 2004, the big news for French car maker Peugeot will be the release of its stunning new 907 concept.

We're looking at a 2-seater supercar with lots of carbon fibre, a retractable rear spoiler and the piece de resistance - an almighty 6.0-litre V12 donk.

Yep, Peugeot's joining the supercar game, and if the numbers are to be believed, it will be a hellishly fast and incredibly desirable sports car.

With the 907 concept, Peugeot will gauge the public's reaction to such a vehicle, and if found to be favourable, the chances of the vehicle being built will increase - but this by no means guarantees its production.

So what's the 907 all about then? Here's the official line from Peugeot: "It is a GT coupé, created with reference to the past, the present and the future. The 907 is a two-seater coupé, modern but also classic."

These 'classic' elements of the car stem from the styling, with its sculpted and elegant shape, and pushed-back cockpit.

This 'swept' cockpit leaves an expansive bonnet that is home to a glazed panel revealing twelve intake 'trumpets' set into the bonnet, adding a little eye-candy to proceedings.

The roof and front windscreen form a single glazed area, while retro-themed side vents are situated in the front wings and rear quarter panels, and a retractable rear spoiler is incorporated in the tailgate, as is a chunky air diffuser.

All told, the 907 concept measures 1.88 metres wide and 4.37 metres long, while a 1.21 metre height ensures that it cuts through the wind at high speed.

And talk about speed - this Peugeot is no mild-mannered gentleman.

With a Lamborghini Murcielago-rivalling 6.0-litre V12 providing 368kW of power (500hp), the 1400kg 907 will be able to surpass the 300km/h mark, and though no official figures have been supplied, expect the 0-100km/h sprint to take place in roughly 4.0 seconds flat.

The thumping 500 horsepower V12 is positioned longitudinally behind the front axle for an optimum front:rear weight distribution, and is connected via a small propshaft to a six-speed gearbox located in front of the rear axle.

The 907's structure consists principally of a carbon fibre shell, to which the mechanical components, for example, the four double wishbone suspension units, are attached.

Two exhaust pipes emerge from either side of the car (side-pipes), which sits on 18-inch wheels and Michelin tyres, measuring 275/40 at the front and an ultra-wide 345/35 at the rear.

Not content with only the performance and appearance of a supercar, Peugeot also put plenty of effort into the ludicrously fast vehicle's interior, which beckons drivers to plonk themselves into the brown leather and light grey alcantara trimmed sports seats.

The steering wheel rim and the gear lever knob have authentic wood inlays and the instrument panel, although digital, is displayed in analogue style and the touch screen in the central console is connected to a PC to integrate the GPS, MP3 player and other in-car features.

Other Peugeot vehicles on show in Paris include the innovative 1007 RC. Based on the exciting 1007, the RC is basically an aftermarket styling exercise for Peugeot.

In this 'RC' livery, the 1007 reveals a more sporty and exclusive character, whilst retaining a certain "realism" according to the press release.

This exercise in styling is firmly supported on 18-inch ' alloy wheels with a forked design and a 'chrome shadow' finish. Through the wheels, black lacquered brake calipers with the Peugeot name painted in white are visible.

At the rear, an aerodynamic black spoiler extends the roof and at the bottom of the rear bumper skirt, there is a grille with a chrome-plated surround, from each end of which protrudes a chrome-plated exhaust trim.

Powering the 1007 RC is a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and 16-valves, for a maximum power output of 105kW, or around 140bhp, ensuring the lightweight super mini performs as well as its big wheels and rear wing assert.

The 2004 Paris International Motor Show gives Peugeot the chance to demonstrate the announced expansion of its product range, characterised mainly this year by the launch of Peugeot's twofold offer in the upper medium segment: the 407 saloon, recently joined by its alter ego, the 407 SW (station wagon).

Of course, concept cars also play huge roles in the modern motor show, and the gobsmacking 907 is not only testament to the marque's engineering and design aptitude, but also signals that it is keen to dip its toe into the hallowed supercar waters.

Though the super powerful 907 may never see the light of day, the seeds of a 6.0-litre V12 supercar have been sown at Peugeot, and with a revival in the exotic end of the car market continuing to build in momentum, we are certainly crossing our fingers in the hope that the French automaker weighs in with a heavy hitter in the next few years.