Review of the new Peugeot 407 GT Range

It's amazing the difference a change of name can make. Take Peugeot's higher end 407 models, once fitted with 'Executive' badges. These days, your dealer will tell you that you need a 'GT' instead. Sounds a lot more dynamic doesn't it? But is there more to this car than simply a spicier name?

Well, you'd have to say that the spec is sharper too. Offered in both the saloon and SW estate versions, GT trim offers a choice of Mistral Black or Cerbere Red leather interiors along with17-inch alloy wheels and the Peugeot RT3 system. This is a package that integrates a CD stereo, GSM mobile telephone, colour satellite navigation and a voice activation system so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road ahead. Also included as standard are xenon headlamps, rear seat side airbags, laminated side windows, heated front seats, rear side window sun blinds and a rear screen sun blind on the saloon models. Externally, the GT is distinguished by body colour coordinated bumper and side protection mouldings, complemented with chrome finishers.

The main attraction of GT trim however, will probably be the wide choice of engines - one petrol and three diesel units. Yes, you read that right. A car with a supposedly performance-orientated 'Grand Touring' label offers diesels as its main engine options. The choice is between a 2.0-litre HDi, a twin turbo 2.2-litre HDi and a 2.7 HDi V6. If you really can't cope with the black pump, there's also a 3.0-litre V6 petrol powerplant.

The Range-topping 211bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit offers the choice between the six-speed manual and the automatic and it features variable valve timing (VVT) to ensure that power and torque are evenly distributed across a wide rev Range. Top speed comes at 146mph and the sprint to 60mph is achieved in 8.4 seconds. There's a price to pay however, with emissions registering 233g/km.

"It is significant how the market has changed in that a car with a Grand Touring label now offers diesels as its main engine options"

Which is why most eventual buyers with follow Peugeot's subtle efforts to position them with diesel power. The 2.0-litre common-rail diesel delivers a top speed of 129mph but perhaps more importantly, the wind-cheating shape and efficient powerplant combine to return an average fuel consumption of 47.9mpg; excellent for such a big car. With Co2 emissions rated at a relatively saintly 155g/km, it's likely that this particular GT will be popular in the business world.

Its larger sibling, the 2.2-litre HDi, is a real technological tour de force. The first four-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine in a production car, this powerplant is managed by a parallel sequential induction system to ensure that there are none of those annoying lag and lunge power delivery characteristics that often afflict highly tuned turbo diesel cars. It also serves to broaden the amount of useable torque.

The 2.2-litre twin turbo delivers a top speed of 139mph and a sprint to 60mph of just 8.7 seconds. Fuel economy Ranges from 56.5mpg on a run to 34.8mpg in town, with the quoted combined economy figure pegged at 46.3mpg. The emissions figure is favourable too, at only 166g/km.

The 2.7-litre diesel engine has been developed in conjunction with Ford, variants of which are found beneath the bonnet of the Jaguars S-TYPE and XJ as well as the Land Rover Discovery. Fitted with an FAP particulate filter in this guise, it develops a hefty 205bhp. By comparing the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine available in this 407 it is easy to see why the GT majors on diesel power. Just a glance at the torque statistics will show why. Where the petrol-engined 3.0 V6 manages a peak torque figure of 218lb/ft, you get a whopping 330lb/ft from the diesel model. Both V6 models and the 2.2-litre diesel come with a six-speed Porsche-style Tiptronic automatic gearbox as standard, the 2.0-litre offering the only manual gearbox in the GT Range.

Peugeot are keen to stress that the 407 is their very first car to feature double wishbone front suspension, which may not mean a great deal to many but in essence, sums up the French company's commitment to handling excellence. Many cars these days have so-called 'multilink' rear suspension systems, but most persevere with a simple strut front set up. In offering a more sophisticated front suspension system, Peugeot have raised the bar again.

The French maker has set something of a precedent to follow with some very good previous Euro NCAP crash test results but the 407 again takes a big step forward. Active safety in the form of brake discs with a diameter of up to 330mm and next-generation ESP stability control which is standard on every model. As well as marshalling the anti-skid function, ESP also acts as a controller for the anti lock braking system, the emergency brake assist and the electronic brakeforce distribution to each individual wheel.

The chassis itself incorporates not only the highest level of torsional rigidity ever seen on a Peugeot saloon - as you might expect - but it also features a device known as an impactor that anchors the engine to the subframe and prevents it being shunted into the passenger cell in the event of a crash. Pedestrian protection is a major design criterion these days and the 407 features foam padded bumper bars and a bonnet that deforms to absorb shock, the top of the engine a good distance below that sweeping bonnet line. Up to nine air bags can be specified - twin fronts, side, curtain and steering column units offer optimum protection.

The top of the Range Peugeot 407 GT makes a compelling case. It finds itself in one of the most competitive sectors of the market and needs to offer something different to attract suitors. Its powerful engine line-up and comprehensive equipment list give it more than a fighting chance.