 |
New price guide | From £24,225 | ||||
| Engine | 2,230cc, four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, 16-valve, petro. | |||||
| Transmission | Front-wheel drive, six-speed manual. | |||||
| Brakes | Ventilated discs at front; solid discs rear, with ABS, EBFD and EBA. | |||||
| Steering | Electro-hydraulic power assisted. |
Suspension |
Fully independent | |||
| Dimensions |
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| Fuel capacity | 67 litres (14.738 gallons) range approx 425 miles. | |||||
I have long surrendered any challenge to people’s logic for prioritising looks over practicality and, for that matter, the comfort of fellow travellers in the rear seats.
I have often however, been in a position to suggest any number of Coupestyle cars that can actually provide comfortable rear seat accommodation.
Long before Peugeot introduced its 407 range,
my choice of car bodies was Saloon, Station Wagon (Estate) and then Coupe.
| Styling |
|
What first impressed me was the overall build quality, the solid body and the impressive cockpit area.
Some of the minor fixtures and fittings do
not appear to be quite up to the quality of some of the prestige brand
Coupes, but they cost more than this particular
test car.
| Performance |
|
Equipment specifications are tagged S, SE and GT with a price range running from £21,925-30,945.
On test here is the 2.2-litre SE model with a six-speed manual gearbox that is, in my view, probably the most satisfactory car to drive in what is a very easy-driving line-up.
The excellent handling characteristics of the 407 saloon is carried over to the Coupe, though the suspension is tighter and the ride considerably firmer.
Straight-line stability is impressive, assisted by dynamic stability control, traction control and an all-disc braking system with all the appropriate aid systems.
The engine note is better than that of the diesel powered cars but lacks the nice whine of the bigger V6 unit. Performance gives a claimed top speed of 138mph with 62mph (100kph) reached from rest in 9.2secs.
In practice, the close ratio, positive
changing gearbox ensures a good turn of performance when building up the
pace, plus unruffled motorway cruising You can expect around 30mpg under
mixed driving conditions which is acceptable for this type of car.
| Interior |
|
Most Coupes do not provide a good all round view
for the driver, and this one is no exception. One has to judge carefully the
length of the bonnet and blind spots caused by the large rear side panels,
but at least there are audible parking sensors.
| Ride and Comfort |
|
The Peugeot 406 Coupe set the scene as a highly popular car. Its successor, the Peugeot 407 Coupé arrived in the UK in January 2006 and is currently still a rare car on our roads, but it should not be overlooked by those shopping for a car that is far more than just good looks.
I recall climbing into the rear seat the latest 407 Coupe during the international launch and really I was so comfortable that I could have fallen asleep.
To achieve this four-seat practicality, Peugeot has based the Coupe on the underpinnings of the fully independently suspended saloon.
It has created a longer and wider body featuring sculpted rear seats and a 400-litre boot capacity. In my opinion it might be even better with a tail-gate rather than its small boot lid, and a rear window wiper/washer system would also be useful.
| Overall |
|
It is quite evident that Peugeot have put a
lot of effort into this latest Coupe, resisting the temptation to be too
sporty at the expense of practicality but ensuring a good degree of
presence.
