According The new Peugeot 207 is the latest mamber of the legendary 2 series dynasty, which has seen over 13.2 million cars produced since the launch of the 201 in 1929.

When the Peugeot 206 replaced the legendary Peugeot 205, nobody could have known what a success it was going to be. With over 5.4 million Peugeot 206s produced, it has become the best selling Peugeot ever.

The new 207 builds on the strengths of the previous models: in particular, it features a dynamic and strong visual appeal.

The 207 is defined by Peugeot as a "successor": in fact, it does not replace the 206, which will continue its global career and will soon be produced in eight individual production sites on three continents.

The 207 will be available at launch as either a three or five door hatchback, but will be joined later by other body styles as the range evolves. A range of six engine options will be initially available (see below for technical data), all coupled with a five speed manual gearbox.

For what concerns the chassis, the front McPherson suspension has an improved caster angle to ensure steering accuracy, while the rear suspension with a deformable cross member is entirely new, and is characterised by reduced weight and dimensions, and by an increased rigidity for better control of vibrations and body stability.

The safety features together with the modern body structure enabled the 207 to achieve a 5-stars rating in the EuroNCAP crash test (via autoblog.it).

For more details, read the original NCAP pdf file.

The Peugeot 207 will go on sale in mid 2006.

Design

Created by Peugeot Style Centre, the 207 has a length of 4.03 m (+200 mm compared to the 206), a wheelbase of 2.54 m (an increase of 80 mm compared to the platform’s standard wheelbase), a width of 1.72 m and a height limited to 1.47 m. Together with the wide tracks and large wheels (up to 17 inches with 205/45 tyres), these proportions create a balance, a sense of dynamism and security.

The front end has two different front styling looks, both with large headlamps, one with a «classic» styling look, the other more «sporty», featuring a distinctive «triangular» profile that reveals a large glazed surface area, characterised by sculpted wheel arches and a powerfully curved rear design.

The entirely new rear layout that enhances interior space, creates more useable space (the boot measures 270 dm3 with a spare wheel), while the rear overhang of 661 mm guarantees optimal performance in terms of repairability.

According to Peugeot, "The stylists have succeeded in giving the 207 a unique feel with a blend of soft curves and bold contours, creating an elegant car whose exterior style has a recognisable visual link to the Marque’s other vehicles."

"The design of the front of the 207 plays a very important role in affirming its personality – its large «coachbuilder» bonnet marks the visual boundaries of the wings and locates in a chrome «U» the lion badge of the front grille, the emblem of the Marque."

"Its wide, high-tech headlights extend rearwards over a length of 780 mm towards the front windscreen pillars -. Encompassing the Marque’s new visual identity, the large and dynamic lower front panel with its «soft nose» adopts the principle of a wide air inlet seemingly «protected» by a black bumper bar. The lower front panel is available in different styles to identify different versions of the 207."

The Peugeot 206, launched in 1998 "The «sport» styling finds expression in a more assertive design of the front.

More generously curved, the latter comes with fog lights mounted in chrome surrounds on either side of a larger air inlet, on which the colour of the front grille can be aluminium on some versions."

"The origins of the stylistic theme are echoed in the dynamic triangular profile with a very low waist line that plunges forward to create an imaginary line running under the headlight."

"In a reference to the «Pique» and «Carreau» concept cars, the aerodynamically profiled wheel arches are combined with «flag» type door mirrors, with direction indicators at their base, to enhance the originality of the profile, leaving the large wheels to accentuate the car’s overall elegance."

Safety

Safety features include six airbags fitted as standard and two front impact absorption structures, borrowed from the 407, that distribute impact energy more efficiently in the event of a collision and also enhance repairability and pedestrian protection.

The body structure of the 207 has been designed to resist impact levels even more severe than those of regulatory or Euro NCAP tests. The 207 is also one of the first vehicles to be designed to meet the requirements of the new European directive concerning pedestrian impact protection.

The 207 will also see the introduction of a number of new innovative features, such as static directional headlamps, which make it easier to identify a pedestrian about to cross the road when driving in town, or a cyclist riding at the side of the road.

Top: the composite pedestrian impact beam with integral impact absorbers pushes the leg aside to avoid serious knee injuries. Below: the underside of the bonnet provides space for a "survival zone" that protects the head and body of a pedestrian	3-door versions are equipped with a retention pin which ensures a physical link between the door and the B/C post when the door is closed, helping to guarantee optimal strength of the assembly

Peugeot 207 Engines technical data

(Source: Peugeot)