You would have imagined it would be easy to buy some seriously imposing metal if you had £20,000 to spend. Take a look at the price lists however and you'll find it's a little trickier than you first thought. The task of finding a car that looks imposing and which has a certain degree of exclusivity is by no means simple. Peugeot has made that mission a little simpler with the 407 Coupe, a car that's anything but run of the mill.

This car has quite a bit to live up to. The Pininfarina-styled 406 Coupe was one of the most elegant shapes on the road and although the 407 two door can't hope to emulate that car's feline good looks, it counters with a head-turning capacity the old car never gets close to. From certain angles the proportions of the 407 Coupe look rather odd. Perhaps it's the mismatch in length between the front and rear overhangs that does it, but it's a complex shape; one that never rests easily on the eye but rewards repeated inspection. The rear three-quarter is probably the most flattering aspect, a flat side profile exacerbating the unusual relationship between wheels and corners. One thing's for sure. In a market populated by some very anodyne shapes, the 407 Coupe makes an instant impression.

One thing that Peugeot were keen to stress is the improvement in handling the 407 Coupe makes over its predecessor and much of this can be attributed to its 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, the 407 clearly states its commitment. This is a Grand Tourer that won't fall to pieces when the going gets twisty.

Two petrol engines and two diesel units are offered. The entry-level diesel is the 2.0-litre 136bhp unit found in other Peugeot models. This slots below the 2.7-litre V6 diesel that's been developed in conjunction with Ford, variants of which are found beneath the bonnets of Jaguar S-TYPEs and Land Rover Discoverys. In this guise, it develops a hefty 205bhp. The petrol engines kick off with a lightweight 160bhp 2.2-litre unit with a punchy 211bhp 3.0 V6 24-valve option featuring variable valve timing (VVT) to ensure that power and torque are evenly distributed across a wide rev range. All are fitted with a six speed gearbox except the 2.7 HDi which gets the automatic option as standard. Prices start at £19,530.

"You'll need to spend a lot of money top find a coupe that turns more heads than Peugeot's 407"

Peugeot have 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 comes 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 of this kind - 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 cabin looks very Peugeot - which is possibly the weakest part of the 407 make up. It's neat and everything seems to work very nicely but there isn't a great deal of showroom 'wow factor' to it. Sophisticated multiplexed electronics allow for a huge amount of individual customisation when specifying your 407, with such features as rear view mirrors linked to reverse gear, parking sensors, self-imposed speed limiters, low tyre pressure monitors and variable cruise control systems all capable of being fitted quickly and, just as importantly, at very modest expense.

It's not often that we comment upon a car's air conditioning system - most set ups being much of a muchness - but the 407's deserves special mention. A humidity sensor constantly monitors the air in the interior to prevent fogging and a gentle dash-top diffuser dehumidifies the air without subjecting the passengers to the usual gritty blast. Peugeot have also developed an externally controlled compressor that uses atmospheric conditions to reduce the work the system has to do, thus reducing fuel consumption. A pollen filter also keeps summer trips bearable for those afflicted by hay fever.

Some may be a little disappointed that the 407 Coupe is no great beauty, but there's plenty of merit in its striking styling. Unlike the 406 which, once you'd enjoyed the initial hit of its good looks, never offered much beyond that, the 407 Coupe is initially challenging and constantly asks questions of the beholder. I was at first a little crestfallen when pictures of the 407 Coupe landed on my desk, but as time has gone by I'm beginning to appreciate what Peugeot have done with this car. Think of it as a supremely capable mile-muncher that stands out from the crowd and you'll soon warm to its attributes. This one could well be something of a grower.

TOP 4 407 DEALS

The results below show the top 407 deals on buyacar

	Peugeot 407 2.2 Sport 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly £394	Saving £1,728	Price £19,417
	Peugeot 407 2.2 Sport Multimedia 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,844	Price £20,346
	Peugeot 407 2.0 HDi Sport Multimedia 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,908	Price £20,782
	Peugeot 407 2.0 HDi Sport 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly £397	Saving £1,797	Price £19,893

typical 11.71% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000