The Peugeot 607 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Peugeot from September 1999 to June 2010. It is known by several nicknames including a french cruiser, lion king and spaceship. The 607, along with the smaller 407, were superseded by the 508 in March 2011.
History
The 607 was launched in October 1999, to replace the already discontinued 605. It used its predecessor's chassis but had an all new, more modern exterior design. The engine range was completely new. Equipment levels were also high, with all models getting air conditioning, CD player, electric windows, 8 airbags, anti-lock braking system, tire-pressure monitor and central locking as standard. Available AMVAR nine stage electronic damping control. Motoring journalists, such as Jeremy Clarkson, disliked the 607. They claimed it had handling that wasn't up to Peugeot's usual "good" standards. In December 2000, in The Sunday Times, Clarkson profoundly claimed it was the worst car ever made. This was even worse than the Peugeot 807, which he rated almost as badly. In France, its home market, it was often chosen for official usage.
Taxi versions
The 607 is frequently used as a taxi in France; Portugal uses them as airport taxis in Faro Airport; these versions are usually 3.0 V6 or 2.2 HDi versions; the Benelux countries also use them as well, but less frequently at airports.
Safety
Facelift
The 607 was restyled in November 2004, with the most notable modifications being the new front end and the 2.7 HDi V6 engine, capable of, mated to a new six speed automatic gearbox, which is now also available on the V6 petrol model. 2.0 and 2.2 diesel engines got more power and a 6-speed transmission, like the newly introduced Peugeot 407. During 2008, the 607 was withdrawn from the United Kingdom, owing to poor sales.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
The Peugeot 607 Paladine is a special Landaulet version of the 607 which was developed and built in 2000 in cooperation with Heuliez, as a concept car. The engine is the 3.0 V6. It is lengthened by , and the rear part is equipped with a retractable metallic roof similar to the Peugeot 206's or 307's CC. It is a one off design. The special leather interior was developed in cooperation with Hermès. The car was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2000. It was first used seven years later by then French PresidentNicolas Sarkozy for his inauguration on May 16, 2007. Meanwhile, the car had been retrofitted in accordance with the 2004 restyling of the 607.
Successor
In November 2009, Philippe Varin from PSA announced that the successor of the Peugeot 607 would not be called the Peugeot 608, but instead the Peugeot 508. The 508 also replaced the smaller Peugeot 407, which lost sales fast during the period of 2008 to 2009.
