(cover image: the 2007 Peugeot 207 CC and its historical precursor, the 1937 Peugeot 402 "Eclipse" Coupé-Cabriolet)

Design

The 207 CC shares with the hatchback the "sports" styling look at the front: the main dimensions are a length of 4.037 m, a wheelbase of 2.540 m and a - a width of 1.750 m. The reduced height of 1.397 m (-75 mm) accentuates the coupé styling.

The 207 CC has a balanced and well-proportioned design both in the coupé or the cabriolet configuration, with the fully automatic retractable roof folding into the boot.

Styled by the Peugeot style centre, the compact and body shape of the 207 CC exudes a natural dynamism, both in the coupé and cabriolet configuration.

The front of the 207 CC shares the “sports” visual look also found on the hatchback, characterized by the complex curve of the front windscreen.

The lower profile of the coupé evokes dynamism, thanks in particular to the flowing styling of the rear wings.

The design of the rear strengthens the Marque’s identity and incorporates the lights and bumper from the hatchback. The design of the large rear windscreen, where it meets the boot lid, is highlighted by a brushed metal surround, which cleverly disguises the size of the rear of the car.

In the cabriolet configuration, the design of the front windscreen pillars creates a visual barrier, leaving the passenger compartment totally open to the environment.

Only the head restraints and the small chrome active rear roll over bars emerge from within this space.

In both the coupé and cabriolet configuration, the large 16 ″ or 17 ″ alloy wheels (as standard or optional, according to version) add a dynamic finishing touch to the 207 CC.

The retractable roof

The retractable roof has been designed 100% in-house and is assembled on a dedicated production line at the Madrid plant.

Developed from the 206 CC, the operation of the 207 CC roof differs significantly in terms of convenience thanks to its entirely automatic operation, no more manual release handles. The only manual operation consists of pressing the control button for around 25 seconds, during which time the opening or closing cycle is completed; after all four windows have been lowered automatically.

To ensure optimal sealing of the roof and assist the opening of the doors, the electric front windows are equipped with an ″automatic window drop ″ system.

Technical features

207 CC comes with a range of two petrol engines and one diesel engine:

• 1.6 litre 16v petrol, 88 kW (≈ 120 bhp.)
• 1.6 litre 16v petrol THP 110 kW (≈ 150 bhp.)
• 1.6 litre 16v HDi DPFS 80 kW (≈ 110 bhp.)

These three 4-cylinder engines have a cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts and sixteen valves and are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox, matched to the particular characteristics of each unit.

A 4-speed automatic gearbox with a Porsche System Tiptronic sequential control is also available on the new 1.6 litre 16v 88 kW petrol engine.

Interior

The 2+2 architecture of the 207 CC creates a passenger compartment length of 1501 mm that offers sport seats which allow a driving position lower than that of the hatchback.

Controls situated in the upper part of the front seat backs provide access to the rear passenger seats.

With its regular cube-like shape, the boot of the 207 CC accommodates the spare wheel and also offers a volume (VDA) of 370 dm3 (449 litres of water) in the coupé configuration, and 145 dm3 (187 litres of water) in the cabriolet configuration, under the load space cover blind which separates the area for luggage, from the area needed to accommodate the folded roof.

Body rigidity

The torsional rigidity of the body for a torque of 100 mdaN applied to the“axles” is 1 mrd in the coupé configuration and 1.50 mrd in the cabriolet configuration.

The structure has been modified with structural reinforcements and tie-rods under the body, that help to reduce vibrations, as do “stiffeners” located in the rear wings.

The body reinforcements are combined with a dual front-impact absorption system which, like the hatchback, distributes impact energy between an upper structure and a lower structure.

To reduce the effect of an impact, the design of the A and B posts and side members creates a reinforced solid frame combined with, doors that are extremely rigid as a result of a strengthened upper panel and a tubular reinforcement bar. The doors are also generously padded.

To make the very most of the cabriolet body shape, an active roll over protection system is a standard feature of the 207 CC’s safety specification. This is made up of active roll-over bars and reinforcement tubes inside the windscreen pillars.

Located just behind the rear seats, the two small chrome roll over bars add to the dynamic style of the 207 CC but also serve as a discreet form of protection.

When a critical "roll over" situation is detected by the ECU, which analyses information from an angle sensor and the speed of rotation, it instructs the trigger system to release the springs that hold down the roll over bars in less than 25 ms. The roll over bars are then deployed in 175 ms to a height of 200 mm.

About Peugeot Coupé-Cabriolet cars

The Peugeot 201 Cabriolet (1930) was the first of a
series of soft top versions based on the "20" series

Throughout its history, Peugeot has always made cars for customers who enjoy “open top driving”. For example, within the legendary "20" series, the 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205 all offered a soft top version for “open top driving” enthusiasts.

It was in the 1930s that Peugeot started the innovative concept of the coupé cabriolet with the 401, 601 and 402 "Eclipse".

This innovative concept was to become one of the manufacturer’s trademark features.

At the end of 2000, Peugeot launched the 206 CC, based on the 20♥ concept car unveiled in 1998.

It featured an innovative folding electric roof, and created a real increase in the market for “leisure” cars.

The Peugeot 402 "Eclipse" (1937) was one of the first
coupé-cabriolet in the autobmoile history

The European market for coupé cabriolets increased nine fold between the years 2000 and 2005, to around 150,000 units.

Peugeot has over the years expanded its offerings in the market and now has firmly asserted itself as the leading manufacturer of coupé cabriolets, with today more than 500,000 vehicles sold world wide.

Since 2000, the 206 CC with its 2+2 architecture has led the way in the"B segment". With more than 360,000 units produced, the 206 CC is the world’s best selling coupé cabriolet.

In the "M1 segment", the elegant 307 CC a full four seater has already sold over 150,000 units since its launch in 2003.

(Source: Peugeot )