Peugeot 407 petrol and diesel coupe 2006 review

Which was just as well, for any alert Spanish patrol cop might have been drawn to the convoy of 35 Peugeot 407 Coupes making its high speed way from Granada to Priedo de Cordoba.

Peugeot prudently chose "courses for horses" for the international launch of its stunning new 407 Coupe – the sweeping, open highways of southern Spain near devoid of traffic being an ideal proving ground for what the French maker calls a Grand Tourer.

Grand touring it most definitely was, with the stylish 407s – 3-litre V6 petrol and 2.7-litre V6 HDI models – consuming kilometre after kilometre in luxurious comfort and with loping ease.

The twin turbo diesel with its fat (440Nm) band of torque from as low as 1900rpm particularly impressed, indicating just 2500rpm on the tachometer as it cruised effortlessly at around 150km/h.

Power wise, the petrol model has the edge, coming in at 155kW at 6000rpm – 5kW better than the diesel – but in practical terms, such as economy and durability, the HDI prevails.

The diesel is also a good environmental citizen, thanks to a particle filter which is "better than 99 per cent" efficient in emission control.

This is an all new engine, until now only available in the new 607 model.

Both petrol and HDi models are destined for Australia in the second quarter of 2006, the petrol version in six-speed manual format from around $65,000 (add another $3000 for auto) through to the diesel in six-speed automatic format only for around $72,000.

Spokesman Matthew McAuley said Peugeot Automobiles Australia hoped to sell 200 407s a year, which was being "fairly conservative".

Locals will gain their first glimpse of the new Coupe at this month's Australian Inter- national Motor Show in Sydney.

Although the two-door Coupe follows in the wheel tracks of the 407 Saloon, there are a number of aesthetical and practical differences. For one thing, the driving position is some 200mm lower and set back 9mm to give more of a sporty feel

Styled by Peugeot's own in house design team, the Coupe has a pronounced front overhang of more than one metre, gaping grille, long-slanted headlights and aggressive side gills that give it a shark like appearance.

Whether it will gobble up its rivals, the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes CLK, only time will tell.

The Coupe is a genuine four-seater, and comes in three interior specs. Two-tone leather upholstery and aluminium trim is a quality touch.

A 0-100km/h figure of around mid 8 seconds for both models is not staggering, but Peugeot appears to have gone for refinement instead of raw performance. It's more about the journey, rather than how fast you get there.

Not surprisingly, the diesel is more frugal than its petrol-driven sibling, sipping 8.5L/100km as opposed to 10.2 (mixed cycle driving).

The ride is smooth but compliant, with sharp steering response and minimal body roll.

Equipment specs are generous, with ESP, cruise and dual zone climate controls, direc- tional xenon headlamps and front and rear parking sensors.

There's seven airbags, 18-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure sensors, laminated side windows and, as an option, sunroof.

The new 407 Coupe will be a welcome addition to what is already an enticing prestige market segment. In Europe, the 407 is the second best seller in its segment.

Best of all, it comes from a maker that knows how to build a coupe. After all, Peugeot was the first to introduce one, in 1898.