Review of the new Peugeot 207 HDI Range

Talk about the big build up. Having to follow the phenomenal success story that was the 206 is a task that would be beyond most cars. Peugeot has stepped up to the plate with the 207, a model that's bigger and, they trust, better in almost every way. Pivotal to the success of the 207 range are the diesel models and the French company hasn't taken the task of developing top notch small capacity diesel engines lightly. Small wonder that BMW came knocking when looking for a company to show it how to build such units.

Peugeot are offering a choice of three diesel engines. These consist of second generation common-rail high-pressure direct injection powerplants and start with a 1.4-litre HDi producing 70bhp. This is followed by a 1.6-litre HDi 16-valve delivering 90bhp and a range-topping version of the same engine with a variable geometry turbocharger that helps it produce 110bhp. All these units are a result of the joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW Group, the 207 being the first Peugeot model to use them. You'll also find a version in the MINI range in case you were wondering what BMW get from the deal.

Although few can hold a candle to the Germans when it comes to producing larger diesel engines, engineering a high-efficiency compact unit takes more than just lopping a couple of cylinders off or whittling the engine's capacity down. Fiendishly complicated non-linear thermodynamics mean that, although the principles are the same, the practice of building a small diesel is quite different and Peugeot has long been at the forefront of this particular field.

These diesel engines are a case in point. The 1.4-litre engine features a combined economy figure of 62.7mpg and will get to 60mph in 15.1 seconds, not bad considering the size of the 207 - it's a big hunk of metal. Step up to the 90bhp 1.6-litre and fuel consumption remains identically healthy at 62.7mpg again but it's usefully pacier, breaching 60mph from rest in 11.5 seconds. Model for model there's a £1,100 premium to move from 1.4 to 1.6-litre cars. Finally, there are the most interesting models of the lot - the 1.6-litre 110bhp cars. Fuel consumption here is trimmed to 58.7mpg but this engine will allow the 207 to hit 60mph in 10 seconds dead and keep going to 120mph. Three trim levels are offered in this guise, SE, Sport and the more aggressive looking GT.

"The 207 is at its best when there's a diesel engine nestling under its bonnet"

The 207 HDi 110 GT is an undeniably handsome piece of styling, the big front grille now starting to rest easier on the eye than when it was first introduced and the elegantly tapered rear profile gives the car a squat, dynamic stance on the road. This is helped by 17-inch alloy wheels which fill the wheel arches quite convincingly and when finished in white, it's a real head turner, looking like an emigre from a rally stage in the best Peugeot tradition. The chromed fog lamps peer beadily out from each side of the grille and while it's neither as pretty nor as cohesive a piece of styling as the 206, it undeniably has more presence.

The engine lacks a tiny bit of torque at the very bottom of its rev range but it pulls strongly thereafter, reminding you to give it a little more in the way of revs than you often would with a turbodiesel hatch. Think of it as Peugeot's way of keeping you on your mettle. Everything about the 207 feel better the harder you drive the car. The rather numb electrically-assisted power steering weights up very nicely when you get your game face on and the suspension offers far better composure than the old 206. The 207 is also a whole lot easier to see out of than its predecessor.

Sitting inside the new 207, you can immediately sense that this car is far removed from the 206 in terms of its quality and elegance. Plus the 207, even in its most basic trim level, is head and shoulders above its equivalent 206 model in refinement. The elegant centre panel houses all the usual heating, ventilation and audio switches and the binnacle behind the steering wheel features three circular dials, mirroring those usually seen on a motorcycle. The overall effect is very pleasing and gives the impression of a very up-market product. The front seats are comfortable and appear to give good support. In the rear, as with most vehicles in this sector, the available space is rather limited to the size of the passenger and driver seated in the front. With the front seats fully extended backwards, the space in the back can be a bit restricted. This is the 207's Achilles heel and families would do well to consider that despite being the joint biggest car in the class on the outside, the 207 comes plum last when it comes to rear seat space.

Safety has been designed into the 207 and the car has earned a five star rating from the EuroNCAP tests. The 207's front end contains two impact absorption structures borrowed from the 407 that distribute impact energy more efficiently in the event of a collision. Sill reinforcements and tubular bars in the doors aid structural rigidity. Numerous airbags are installed in the 207 and the front two 'adaptive' airbags have a dual-generator function that can vary their pressures according to the severity of the impact. Side airbags and curtain airbags also feature as standard or as an option, depending on the model level. All 207s are fitted with two 3-point Isofix mountings in the rear outer seats, each of which can accommodate a child's Isofix car safety seat.

The 207 will have its work cut out to replicate the success of its predecessor but it gets a decent start with these three diesel-engined models. There are some very talented rivals about, not least of which is Renault's latest - and very spacious - Clio but Peugeot are confident of history repeating. Time will tell.

TOP 5 207 DEALS

The results below show the top 207 deals on buyacar

Peugeot 207 1.4 Access 3dr Hatchback
Price £7,909 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,081
Peugeot 207 1.4 M play 3dr Hatchback Special Editions
Price £6,040 Read 207 Reviews	Save
Peugeot 207 1.6 VTi Allure 2dr Coupe Cabriolet
Price £15,386 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,759
Peugeot 207 1.6 VTi Active 2dr Coupe Cabriolet
Price £14,253 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,392
Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi 92 Oxygo 3dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £9,882 Read 207 Reviews	Save £2,763
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