A Grown-up's Car, Sport

Newcastle Herald

Saturday September 30, 2006

Jim Kellar

LET'S be frank: this is not a sports car.

Now that I've got that out of the way, we can talk freely about the Peugeot SV HDi 407.

It is sporty, but it's too elegant to be considered a sports car by my reckoning.

When you're talking top of the line Peugeot, the extras give you comfort. But many of them are the items that make a mature driver feel good: heated seats, excellent interior lighting, kerb warning indicators, electric sunroof, armrest.

It rates among the best with plush leather seats, a JBL premium sound system and plenty of room to move. Indeed, it must, in the competitive world of motor vehicles.

Of course, some of the features are over the top. The dual interior temperature controls are convenient, but not necessary. The control panel, located in the middle of the dashboard, looks more suited to a jet airliner than a sports car.

The air conditioning was the noisiest element of the interior cabin, whistling away at top volume.

And then there is the size element. I'm a little old-fashioned and to me, sports cars are small and agile. When you buy a four-door sedan, you're buying a car that can service a family or adult friends. Granted, this will transport any foursome in a great deal of comfort and style.

Purely speaking on the wow factor, the 407 is not a look-at-me car. If you're the owner that may suit you perfectly well.

I'm not saying it's ugly by any means; the 18-inch low profile tyres and alloy wheels along with the dynamic Peugeot grille are smart and stylish. But it does not stand out from the passing crowd.

As for performance, that's a big call. With a 2.7 V6 twin turbo HDi diesel engine and 150 kW and 440 Nm torque, it's an absolute treat on the highway.

During my entire time with the 407 I felt like I was holding the reins on a mighty six-pack of huge horses. On the final trip to Sydney, it was hard to resist the temptation to open it up and see how easily it scooted down the road at 230 kmh.

Truth be told, from the descent onto the Mooney Mooney Bridge on the F3 I felt like I was in takeoff mode at Kingsford Smith. The 407 pretty much flew the rest of the way to Sydney, the ride so smooth it felt like it was off the ground.

From a dead start, the diesel is not the fastest engine off the line. But once at speed, it lifts quickly to where you want it to go. Over 110 kmh and it starts to get really comfortable.

OK, I admit it's starting to sound like a real sports car. And that may be the beauty of the HV 407.

The model I had was a six-speed Tiptronic automatic and it held the road sweetly.

The vr m factor is a big attraction. If you like secret weapons, this may be the model for you.

Expect to spend $61,990 plus more for sunroof ($1800) and metallic paint ($700).

PEUGEOT SV

HDi 407

PRICE

$55,900...................SV auto sedan

$61,900............ SV HDi auto sedan

$58,900........................ Touring SV

$64,990..................Touring SV HDi

* plus dealer and government

charges

DIMENSIONS

Length............................4676 mm

Width..............................1811 mm

Height ............................1455 mm

Wheelbase.....................2725 mm

Weight.............................. 1854 kg

MECHANICAL

Computer controlled direct injection

turbo diesel 2720cc engine

producing 150kW at 4000rpm and

440Nm at 1900 rpm. Six-speed

Tiptronic automatic transmission.

CHASSIS

Speed sensitive power assistance.

Ventilated front discs. ABS with

EBFD and Emergency Brake Assist.

18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45

R18 tyres.

SUSPENSION

Front: Double triangle decoupled

pivot.

Rear: Integral multi-arm with

inclined shock absorber.

FUEL

Capacity: 66 litres. Diesel.

Consumption: 8.4 litres/100km

(combined cycle)

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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