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By
EWAN KENNEDY in Nice
26 March 2006
Peugeot’s push into the small car market continues, this time
with the introduction of a brilliant little high-performance machine,
the 207 GTi.
Based on the three-door version of the new 207 that was
launched in Australia in February, the latest Peugeot GTi has been
enhanced with a bolder appearance, extra engine power and firmer
chassis dynamics.
The 207 GTi’s nose obviously uses the latest Peugeot
expansive-grille theme, but it has been given a bolder look as it
comes protrudes further forward than in the non-sporting variants.
Bright highlights, and foglights that sit partly inside and partly
outside the grille work nicely. Lowered ride height and a rear
spoiler also contribute to the sporty appearance.
Inside, there are two large sports seats in the front. These
have plenty of side bolstering for support, but we found them to
be on the wide side as though they had been set up for larger than
average people whom we frequently hear complain that seats are too
tight. Which proves that it’s impossible to please everyone.
Interestingly, the rear seats, there are just two of them, are
designed in a similar manner to those in the front, though not
quite so bold in the bolster department. This design theme almost
gives this sports model four buckets, rather than two and a rear
bench, and works well in a car in this class.
Power comes from a turbocharged variant of the 1.6-litre engine
already seen in other Peugeot 207 models in Australia. It now
peaks at 175 horsepower, or 128 kW in Australian terms. Better
still is the impressive torque graph. It reaches 240 Nm at a very
low 1600 rpm and continues at that high level to around 5000
before tapering away. Thus almost all torque is available pretty
well all the time.
There's also an over-boost function that can provide an
additional 20 Newton metres for a few seconds in third, fourth and
fifth gears for safer overtaking.
We have been able to sample the new Peugeot on several
demanding sections of the Monte Carlo rally route behind Nice in
southern France, and have come away most impressed with its
characteristics.
The engine is a real sweetie, being happy to rev after a
minimum of lag and providing exciting, safe performance virtually
all the time.
This is a true hot hatch so it should come as no surprise that
ride comfort suffers at times on rough roads. To the point of
being unpleasant if you aren't into sporting driving. We don’t
have a problem with that as this is aimed at the purist driver,
not the casual poseur.
On moderately rough roads it’s considerably better and the
207 GTi makes a fine high-speed touring car. Smooth road see it
feeling almost as good as a standard model.
Handling is brilliant for a front-drive car, with a near
neutral feel and plenty of feedback through the steering wheel. At
the limit the hot little Peugeot really does ‘talk’ to the
driver and it’s simple to keep it all under control.
The Peugeot 207 GTi is expected to be introduced to Australia
in June or July 2007, and to is expected to have a recommended
retail price of $34,990.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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