Peugeot 407 wagon 2006 review

The Aisin six speeder with sequential manual change mode launches in the 407 Touring and makes a good car better.

The price is $51,990 for the Comfort model while the Executive goes for $54,690.

The six speeder goes into all 2.0-litre ST HDi Pugs from now on apart from existing stocks of the four speeder.

There is no price premium for the six speeder.

As expected, it gives improved performance and fuel economy which can go as low as 5.5-litres/100km - an amazing result for what is essentially a medium large sedan or wagon.

Noise levels also drop thanks in part to reduced engine revs for any given speed. The six speeder helps acceleration off the mark and cruising is more relaxed thanks to a wider spread of gear ratios.

We took a test drive in the latest 407 wagon with a six speed auto and it served to reinforce our previous opinions about the car. It's a great touring vehicle and one for drivers who want a long range of up to around 900km on the 66 litre tank.

It's been crying out for a six speed auto for a year or two to fully capitalise on the prodigious pulling power of the HDi 2.0-litre which generates 320Nm at 2000rpm.

That correlates to around 2000rpm at the speed limit in top gear.

The sequential change adds a sporty element to the 407 but is hardly necessary when it's just as easy to plant the right foot and use the engine's torque.

This is a large vehicle and it has a presence on the road thanks to individual styling and a wide squat stance.

The test vehicle was the luxury model and misses out on little.