Auto Driven: Peugeot 207 GT

Model tested:  Peugeot 207 GT THP 150
Price as tested: from £14,345
Range price:
Insurance group as tested: 11E
Insurance group range:
Tested: November 2006
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

Critics have given a warm welcome to the arrival of Peugeot’s successor to the 206.

Until now, motorists seeking the prestigious GT specification have had only the diesel model to choose from.

This month the French manufacturer launched a petrol-model featuring an all-new engine. Web Editor Adrian Higgins got behind the wheel.

Having already enjoyed the pleasure of the 207’s company for a week’s loan, being reunited with Peugeot’s great little car was something to look forward to.

Furthermore, it presented the first opportunity to drive the petrol version of the sporty GT model – featuring the product of a partnership with BMW to produce the turbocharged engine.

Looks-wise there is little to distinguish the GT from other 207 models.

Where the owners of Ford’s ST models can select racing stripes or the signature orange for the Focus, the 207 GT differs only in the subtlest details, the most noticeable being the 17” alloys, which are 1” bigger than any others in the range.

This may be because the standard 207 is already a very eye-catching car following a makeover which left it with smart, contemporary lines angled back from the slanted headlights and wide grinning Peugeot grille.

Jump inside and the theme continues.

The red-needled white instrument dials, smart metal-topped gearknob and aluminium pedals provide definite sporty styling.

But it is not simply defined by its sportiness with comfort apparently as much at a premium with the designers as producing a sexy hatch.

We tested the car on the roads around Warwick on a dreary, drizzly November day.

But sitting in the 207 certainly brightened it – and not just because we enjoyed the panoramic Cielo glass roof.

The new petrol engine is the first petrol turbocharged model in the range and heralds a new family of direct, high pressure turbocharged petrol engines which will be collectively known as THP (Turbo High Pressure).

So what does that mean?

Well it meant that at times driving the 207 GT feels a bit like hanging on to one end of a lead while the other is attached to a small, powerful, curious dog.

And we mean that in a good way.

Or as Peugeot put it: “This new petrol engine uses very innovative technology and is capable of making the 207 as dynamic and enjoyable as a car with a larger engine”.

The 207 grips the road tenaciously and handles superbly.

But while that is very much to be expected it is the ride which surprises.

For while the THP engine is busy finding it takes just 8.2 seconds to reach 60mph (the top speed is 131mph) the driver can admire this rapidity from a position of comfort.

Just as the 207 GT’s exterior styling doesn’t shout “look at me” any more loudly than its other range-mates nor do the sports seats demand you pay the price for performance with a sore rump.

But there is a lot of fun to be had – we absolutely loved sending this neat little car scampering along a selection of B-roads through picture book towns.

We took the test model out for two drives, for a total of one-and-a-half hours, on reasonably demanding wet, bumpy surfaces – and could happily have carried on for twice the time.

As one would expect the 207 is an economical car with an insurance group of 11E, an average of 40mpg and an on the road price of £14,345.

Though it is worth pointing out the model we drove – despite being well-specced - featured extras costing £3,120 more (including sat-nav, 5-disc CD changer, rear parking aid and metallic paint).

However, a 5-star EuroNCAP rating should help ensure it all stays in one piece.

The 207 GT is a great deal of fun to drive but what makes it even better value is Peugeot have concealed their flagship model within the same clothes as the less hot versions – making it a very liveable hatch indeed.

Rivals:
You might want to consider:

Skoda Fabia vRS
Toyota Yaris SR
Volkswagen Polo GTI

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