The Peugeot 207 is a supermini manufactured and marketed by French automaker Peugeot from 2006 to 2014. It debuted in January 2006, and launched in April 2006. The 207 replaced the 206 in April 2006, and was then superseded itself by the Peugeot 208 in April 2012.
Launch
The 207 was launched in France, Spain, and Italy during April 2006, and later on in other markets in European and Middle East. In January 2004, Peugeot decided not to manufacture the 207 in Ryton. The launch for the United Kingdom was on 8 June 2006. Amicus and the TGWU, both unions representing workers at PSA's manufacturing plant in Ryton, Coventry, chose the same day to launch a campaign calling for the boycott of PSA's Peugeot and Citroën vehicles in the United Kingdom, to protest against the company's plans to close the plant. Peugeot's United Kingdom sales grew, despite the resulting boycott. Prior to the launch, Peugeot launched a campaign for the 207 on MSN.
Design and specification
The 207 was the successor to the 206. The 207 was based on a modified version of the platform used for the Citroën C3 and was built in Poissy, Madrid and a new plant in Trnava, Slovakia. Initially, three petrol engines were available: 1.4 litre 8v with 75 or 16v and 1.6 litre 16v with. From the end of 2006, the 1.4 and 1.6 16v models were replaced by the new 1.4 vti and 1.6 vti a Valvetronic engines. Two turbocharged and intercooled versions, one with, and the other with were also added to the range. The latter four engines result from the cooperation agreement between PSA and the BMW Group; and can also be found in the Mini Cooper S. The diesel powered engines available are a 1.4 litre or a 1.6 litre HDi with maximum output of or, the latter with the addition of an intercooler. The 207 was available as a three or five door hatchback, a 207 SW Station Wagon and the 207 Convertible Coupe, which was launched in December 2006, as a replacement for the ageing 206 CCretractable hardtop, with engine choice limited to either the 1.6l HDi or 1.6l Vti. A GTI version was also available, with the THP175 turbocharged 1.6 litre engine. A GT version is also available, but is only sold with the THP150 turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, and also features a glass roof. Both the GTI and GT versions are sold exclusively with manual gearboxes. The car was facelifted in July 2009, receiving a slightly smaller grille and revised front lighting, including new fog lamp housings, along with LED lights on the rear. Some engine management software changes were also made, boosting the power of the GTI from to.
After just securing the top three positions in qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, Peugeot had fittingly released details for a Peugeot 207 Le Mans Seriesspecial edition model. With only 2,000 units produced, the 207 Le Mans Series was distinguished on the outside with a sport front bumper with Shadow aluminium grille and Black Chrome headlights. The body side moldings, bumpers strips, and side view mirror housings were painted body color, while a long racing stripe got trimmed along the bonnet, roof, and rear spoiler. Other decal accents included a Peugeot logo, striping on the doors and Le Mans logos on the liftgate. Also special multispoke 17 inch Pitlane aluminium wheels set the tone of the vehicle. Exterior colours were Banquise White and Obsidien Black. Carried over from the 207 RC, the interior received finish decor with front and rear bucket seats as well as RC front and rear mat covers. The steering wheel too, with a finish ring and numbered from 1 to 2,000. The gearshift lever knob, pedal assembly, foot rest and door sill are in aluminium. Three engines were available with the 207 Le Mans Series. Starting with the 1.6 HDi 16v 110 hp DPFS and 1.6 THP150 16v 150 hp engines each of which receive a chrome plated single exhaust pipe. The top 1.6 THP175 16v 175 hp received a chrome plated dual exhaust pipe.
Reception
The Peugeot 207 met with mixed reviews, facing criticism for the design of its interior, for the quality of its gearbox, and for its handling, with the latter two issues also identified in the GTI version. Autocar magazine said the Peugeot 207 hatchback was "safely played and as such lacks charm, verve and difference". It did receive praise for its value, safety and styling. Reviewers feared that it would prove unreliable, and one car insurer named it the fourth least reliable vehicle. The CC version was better received, with Top Gear motoring magazine describing it as "a decent new version of one of the originals...of the tin top cabrio breed". Despite this lack of acclaim, it has sold well in Britain, being the sixth best selling car overall in 2007, with more than 67,000 examples being sold.
The Peugeot 207 Epure was a concept car presented at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2006 designed to preview the 207 CC which followed. The 207 Epure was fitted with a sophisticated hydrogen fuel cell.
In China and South America, a sedan version is marketed under the Peugeot 207 nameplate since November 2008. The model is based on the platform of the predecessor model, the Peugeot 206, and features the front end of the facelifted version 206+, which resembles the Peugeot 207.
