New Peugeot 207 CC review

So as a ‘Mr Average’ motorist do I qualify to become a member of the trendy coupe-cabriolet set? Probably not.

Peugeot’s target customer profile for the 207 CC is for people who are car lovers for whom emotion and freedom are an integral part of their lifestyle. Their words – not mine. They also say young people under 35 years of age will view the 207 CC as their ‘attainable dream’, their principal car and will represent 41% of buyers.

Women are also prime customers as 88% of 206 CC buyers were female. Couples who are multi-vehicle owners and aged between 45 to 60 years of age could add the 207 CC as a second or even third ‘fun’ car to their fleet and could take 30% of sales.

The 207 range of three- and five-door hatchbacks, soon to be joined by the five-door SW estate models, is very popular in the UK.

The range is currently number six in the UK’s top ten sales chart headed by the Focus, Astra, Fiesta, Corsa and Golf, all relatively family-sized cars or slightly smaller ‘superminis’. There is no doubting that we, as car buyers, think smaller is better in these days of congestion and highly taxed motoring.

I generally like coupe-cabriolets; I like the concept and dual-role practicality of them. Some are a bit odd looking with their out-of-proportion chunky rear end needed to house all the folded roof sections.

The 207 is a pretty car anyway and, yes, in CC form it has piled on the pounds and inches around its derriere but it still looks pretty good and well balanced.

The build quality appears to be first class and there is a high level of specification fitted as standard, although adding options will greatly increase the final cost.

My diesel Sport model started life at £15,912 but ended up at a massive £19,532 once the navigation system, electronic stability system, part leather trim, wind deflector and parking sensors had been included.

I do not think parking sensors, the stability programme and the rear wind deflector should be extra cost options – they are vital.

On the face of it the 1.6-litre petrol model with standard Sport specification priced at £14,795 is the most sensible buy and you should be able to haggle with your dealer to include the stability programme, parking sensors and wind deflector within that price.

I opted to try the 1.6 HDi Sport turbodiesel model because diesel has significant running cost advantages in mpg and road tax, and there is increasing interest in CC models from business and company car users who are the mainstay of the market.

Overall the 207 CC has plenty of room upfront with two wide-opening side doors. These also allow good access to the very small rear seats that might as well not exist as they are so short of legroom. This potential space has been taken up by a roomy boot. It really is a car for just a couple with luggage space to match.

The steeply-raked front A pillars are very thick and that causes front-quarter blindspots. The high facia level also makes it difficult to judge the bonnet length when parking. Visibility to the rear corners is good for a coupe- cabriolet.

The electrically-operated folding roof is easy to use, quick and pretty quiet in operation. Wind intrusion in to the car with the roof down and windows up is minimal, allowing the occupants to talk rather than shout to each other.

The Sport specification is pretty comprehensive: a full range of front and side airbags; electrically-operated side windows and door mirrors; air conditioning; and a good sound system and alloy wheels.

GT models receive the added ‘glitz’ treatment with alloy pedals, auto lights and directional headlights, the much-needed stability programme and parking sensors.

The 1.6 turbodiesel engine with 110bhp is well know – it is used widely in all sorts of cars other than Peugeots. With 180lb-ft of torque from 1,750rpm it provides a smooth and responsive source of power but it is no ball of fire.

The two petrol engines are more lively but less economical. My test car returned a pretty good 47.1mpg and it only costs £115 a year in road tax due to the low engine emissions.

Drive to the front wheels is through a five-speed manual transmission, not the best in its sector for smooth and slick changes, but it does the job. A sixth gear would help by lowering engine noise at motorway cruising speeds and improve fuel economy still further.

Handling is taut, roof up or down, with no signs of body shake. The suspension is comfortable but the steering gives very little feedback to the driver.

Given that the weather improves - even a little, the pretty 207 CC should do very well for sales.

MILESTONES

Peugeot 207 CC Sport HDi 110

Price: £15,912, (as tested £19,532)

Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel, 110 bhp and 180 lb ft of torque at 1,750rpm

Performance: 119 mph, 0-62 mph 10.9 seconds, 54.3mpg, (47.1mpg actual), CO2 136 g/km

VED: Band C £115. Insurance group: 8E.

For: Civilised and well engineered, well insulated roof, good specification and value for money excluding the cost of options, stylish, generally well behaved when driven hard, stiff bodyshell with excellent torsional rigidity, strength and safety features.

Against: The UK weather, poor front quarter visibility due to thick A pillars, roof has to be raised to get items out of the boot, awkward gearchange operation, pricey options.

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