Review of the new Peugeot 207 Verve

The middle child in a triumvirate of Verve special edition models, the Peugeot 207 Verve is an up-spec derivative with a temptingly down-market price. It's standard fare for a special edition but that doesn't make the package any less desirable to tuned-in buyers and Peugeot is putting a big marketing shove behind the Verve with its DriveSexy campaign.

The 207 Verve is flanked in the Peugeot range by a 107 Verve and a 308 Verve which comply to a similar 'more stuff for less cash' formula. They have been conjured up to accompany Peugeot's DriveSexy marketing campaign which is built around TV advertising and the www.DriveSexy.com website. Through the site and various other promotional media, drivers are invited to adopt a slightly different attitude during the time they spend behind the wheel with the laudable aim of contributing to a better world. Peugeot call it 'driving sexy' but driving courteously would be nearer the mark. We should all be in favour of that.

Two engines are available with the 207 Verve. There's a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit and a 70bhp 1.4-litre HDI diesel. The car handles with a certain degree of verve but it isn't one of the sportiest superminis on sale and it can be tricky for taller drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel. Ride comfort and refinement are far stronger suits and the 207 feels like a much bigger and more substantial proposition than many superminis you'll encounter.

The 207 is a hefty vehicle, tipping the scales at nearly 1,300kg. In the 1.4-litre petrol car, the 0-60mph sprint takes 12.8s and the top speed is 115mph. By contrast, the MINI which uses the same engine weighs 1,135kg and can get to 60mph in 10.9s, evidence of the impact that less weight can have. As long as you don't expect too much pace from the Verve models, the 5-speed gearbox is the only real drawback. The slack action isn't what you want in a nimble supermini and it lets the rest of the driving package down a bit.

".the 207 Verve eventually boils down to its value proposition"

The 207 represented a big improvement over the 206 in terms of perceived quality. The materials in the cabin look and feel sturdy with no obvious flaws in terms of the way they all fit together. Rear legroom is not as good as in some rivals, although there's compensation in the shape of a 310-litre boot capacity, and the design of the standard ventilation control panel looks dated.

The styling themes that have gradually rolled out across the Peugeot model range are nothing if not distinctive and as with anything so wilfully out of the ordinary, the look of the 207 may not be to everyone's taste. For the uninitiated, the 207's main distinguishing features are those elongated headlamps that stretch back from the nose into the front wings and the huge grinning grille below, its teeth braced by a dark central bumper. Around the back, things are less extrovert but the overall look has real purpose about it. It's immediately obvious you're looking at a 207.

Like all special edition models, the 207 Verve eventually boils down to its value proposition. Peugeot has taken the standard 207 specification and added a series of additional features. These include air-conditioning, 15" alloy wheels, a sport bumper design, fog lights, Bluetooth compatibility and a set of floor mats and exterior badges that carry Verve branding. There's also a choice of lively paint colours running from Aluminium Silver and Neysha Blue to Onyx Black and Flamenco Red. All of the above comes at around £9,500 which sounds like good value for a three-door 207 packing that kind of specification. Five-door models are also offered.

Running a 207 Verve is unlikely to cost the earth, thanks to its advanced engine technology. Impressively, the diesel engine scores better than 64mpg on the combined cycle with tax-friendly emissions of 117g/km. The petrol option manages 45mpg and a less parsimonious 150g/km. All 207 models come with Peugeot's 3-year/60,000-mile warranty and Peugeot assistance breakdown cover, a fairly standard package in the modern marketplace.

Peugeot's DriveSexy marketing campaign has the commendable aim of lightening the mood out on the UK's roads. The 207 Verve special edition is tagging along behind with the aim of lightening the mood in Peugeot's showrooms. Along with its 107 and 308 Verve equivalents, there's no reason why it shouldn't do the job. Peugeot has a solid range of small cars here and buyers tend to be suckers for some extra equipment matched to a low price.

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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