Peugeot’s new 407 slinks into showrooms

PEUGEOT’S important new 407 will slip into Australian showrooms today without the razzamatazz of an official launch - and before its “public debut” at October’s Sydney motor show.

This follows Peugeot Automobiles Australia’s announcement of full specifications and pricing last week.

Launched in Europe in April, the striking new French-built medium sedan and wagon (which goes on sale here in December) replaces Peugeot’s popular 406 prestige contender, and has landed here with a surprisingly high level of standard equipment despite only small price rises for the all-new model.

While a successor for Peugeot’s signature turbo-diesel 406 HDI models will not be available here until January, 2005 – the same year a new 407 coupe is also expected to appear – 407 pricing opens at $42,790, reflecting the fall in government duty for imported vehicles from 2005.

"To be able to launch the 407 only a few months after its debut is fantastic and we are sure that the Australian public will also be pleased to know we are one of the first markets outside Europe to take delivery of this exceptional vehicle," said PAA managing director Rob Dommerson said last Monday.

"Peugeot 407 customers will also be pleased to learn that the outstanding pricing announced today already reflects the fall in next year’s duty rate. They will be amongst the first to benefit from the reduction of the import tariffs for imported cars, due to take effect on January 1, 2005.

"The move will prove quite a windfall for those who will take delivery before the end of the year, who therefore will not be disadvantaged in any way." Underneath 407’s bold new exterior design, which comprises a prominent nose with an overgrown front airdam, compact rear-end and flowing French roofline, lies new all-independent suspension, comprehensive five-star safety armoury, class-leading equipment levels and the choice of petrol and turbo-diesel engine performance.

Opening the range is the $42,790 407 ST manual sedan, which like all 407s comes with a maximum five-star European NCAP crash test rating thanks in part to the standard fitment of eight airbags, new generation ESP electronic stability control, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, pretensioning and force-limiting front seatbelts, active front head restraints, three-point seatbelts and head restraints for all five seating positions.

Other surprising new standard equipment across the range includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, climate control air-conditioning with carbon/pollen filter, parking sensors, integrated rear and rear side sub blinds, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear foglights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Of course, cruise control, a trip computer, remote central locking and one-touch power windows and (heated) mirrors are standard too, while the base 407 also offers a reach and height-adjustable steering wheel with remote controls for its Clarion four-speaker CD sound system.

407 Touring models available in three months go even further, adding an electric blind to insulate the standard panoramic glass roof when closed, plus a split-folding tail-gate. A sunroof is optional on sedan variants, as is leather interior trim including heated power-adjust seats, metallic paint and a four-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission on SV models.

But even at $44,990, the 407 ST auto represents good value over the 406 ST sedan it replaces. The outgoing 406 currently starts at $39,360, while the ST auto costs $41,360.

All 407s feature double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension and the velour-trimmed, entry level ST sedan and wagon variants are powered by a 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder engine producing 116kW and 217Nm of torque at 3900rpm.

Replacing the 406 ST’s 100kW 2.0-litre engine, it is mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed semi-auto, while 407 ST Touring, at $47,990, will be available only as an auto from December.

407 ST HDi sedan and wagon variants feature a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering 100kW and 320Nm of torque from just 2000rpm (to replace the current ST HDi’s 82kW version). Again mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed semi-auto, the 407 ST HDi sedan is priced at $45,990 and $48,190 respectively, while the auto-only 407 ST HDi is priced at $51,190.

Currently, 406 ST HDi variants cost $42,170 (manual) and $44,170 (auto), with the 406 ST HDi Estate priced at $45,000 (manual) and $46,170 (auto).

Flagship of the new 407 range is again the V6-powered SV, which features a 3.0-litre 24-valve V6 with variable valve timing to offer 155kW and 290Nm of torque from 3750rpm, to replace the outgoing 406 SV’s 157kW unit. While it’s down on power and there’s no more manual sedan option, both the 407 sedan and Touring feature a six-speed Tiptronic auto to replace the outgoing car’s four-speeder.

All 407 engines meet EU4 emissions standard and require servicing every 12 months or 20,000km, while the intercooled, common-rail HDi turbo-diesel engine features a high-tech particulate emissions filter. The 407 range may also be joined by the joint-venture Ford/PSA-developed 2.7-litre V6 HDi engine featuring twin-turbochargers and 440Nm of torque by late 2005.

Peugeot’s current 406 SV sedan variants cost $53,800 (manual) and $55,800 (auto), with the auto SV wagon costing $57,650. This rises only marginally to $55,990 for the 407 SV sedan auto and to $58,990 for the 407 SV Touring.

The 407 appears to offer exceptional value right across its range.

The top-shelf SV variants offer extras like Xenon headlights with automatic height adjustment and washers, a JBL HiFi sound system with eight speakers, a six-CD stacker and nine-setting variable electronic suspension with independent damping control (AMVAR).

Peugeot 407 pricing:

407 ST sedan manual $42,790
407 ST sedan auto $44,990
407 ST HDi sedan manual $45,990
407 ST HDi sedan auto $48,190
407 SV V6 auto $55,990
407 ST Touring auto $47,990
407 ST HDi auto $51,190
407 SV V6 auto $58,990407 sedan variants on sale from September 15
407 Touring variants on sale from December
407 HDi variants on sale from January, 2005