Peugeot 207
| Company type | Subcompact car (B-segment) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Peugeot 206 |
| Founded | April 2006 |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | Europe, Middle East, China, South America, Southeast Asia, Iran |
| Products | Hatchback, coupé cabriolet (207 CC), estate (207 SW), commercial van (207 Van/207 Affaire) |
| Parent | PSA Group |
The Peugeot 207 is a subcompact car (classified in the B-segment) manufactured by the French automaker Peugeot between 2006 and 2014. Unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, production began in April of the same year, marking its role as the successor to the well-known Peugeot 206. This model utilizes the same platform as the Citroën C3, illustrating PSA Group's approach to reducing manufacturing expenses.
Offered in multiple body styles—including hatchback, coupé cabriolet (207 CC), and estate (207 SW)—the Peugeot 207 featured a variety of petrol and diesel powertrains. These included PSA’s Prince engines alongside Ford-derived HDi diesel units, combined with manual, semi-automatic, and automatic gearbox options to address varied consumer preferences.
Production took place at facilities located in France, Spain, and Slovakia. The vehicle was aimed at the highly competitive European supermini market, emphasizing adaptable design and fuel-efficient engines.
In April 2012, the Peugeot 207 was succeeded by the Peugeot 208, which maintained the same underlying platform but introduced refreshed styling and advanced technology to better align with shifting market expectations.
Launch
The Peugeot 207 debuted in April 2006 across France, Spain, and Italy, before expanding to additional European and Middle Eastern markets. In January 2004, Peugeot announced it would not manufacture the 207 at its Ryton plant.[1]
The UK market launch occurred on 8 June 2006. On that day, unions representing Ryton workers began a boycott campaign targeting Peugeot and Citroën vehicles in response to planned closure of the plant. Despite these protests, Peugeot experienced growth in UK sales.[2]
Prior to its release, Peugeot supported the launch of the 207 through an advertising campaign on MSN.[3]
Design and specification
Replacing the Peugeot 206, the 207 was constructed on an adapted version of the Citroën C3 platform at production sites in Poissy (France), Madrid (Spain), and a newly established factory in Trnava, Slovakia.
The initial petrol engine lineup featured a 1.4-litre 8-valve unit producing 75 hp, a 1.4-litre 16-valve delivering 90 hp, and a 1.6-litre 16-valve rated at 110 bhp. By late 2006, these were superseded by more efficient Valvetronic engines: a 1.4 VTi generating 95 bhp and a 1.6 VTi offering 120 bhp.
Additionally, two turbocharged and intercooled engines producing 150 hp and 175 hp were introduced through a collaboration between PSA and BMW; these powerplants also serve the Mini Cooper S. Diesel variants included a 1.4-litre unit with 70 hp and a 1.6-litre HDi available in either 90 or 110 hp versions—the latter equipped with an intercooler.
The model was available as three- or five-door hatchbacks, along with a station wagon (207 SW), and a coupé cabriolet (207 CC) launched in December 2006 as a replacement for the retractable hardtop-equipped 206 CC. The cabriolet came with either the 1.6l HDi or the 1.6l VTi engine.
A commercial van variant named the 207 Van was introduced in the UK market; in other countries like France, where side windows were retained, it was marketed under the name 207 Affaire.[4]
Sport-oriented trims included the GTI (known as RC in some regions) powered by a turbocharged THP175 engine delivering 175 hp, and the GT (Limitee) featuring a THP150 engine with an optional glass roof. Both trims came exclusively with manual transmissions.
In July 2009, a facelift refreshed the front grille, updated front lighting including fog lamps, and added LED rear lights. Engine management enhancements raised GTI output from 175 hp to 184 hp.
Le Mans Limited Edition
After securing the top three qualifying spots at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Peugeot introduced the exclusive Peugeot 207 Le Mans Series edition, limited to 2,000 units. This special variant boasted a sporty front bumper, a Shadow aluminium grille, and Black Chrome headlamps. The body side moldings, bumper trims, and mirror caps were painted to match the body color, accented by a racing stripe that ran along the bonnet, roof, and rear spoiler. Additional detailing included Peugeot emblems, door stripes, and Le Mans insignia on the tailgate. It rolled on distinctive 17-inch multispoke Pitlane aluminium wheels and was offered in Banquise White and Obsidien Black shades.
Inside, the 207 Le Mans Series featured the granium finish trim carried over from the 207 RC, equipped with front and rear bucket seats and floor mats branded with RC logos. Its steering wheel included a granium finish ring numbered from 1 to 2,000. Aluminium highlights extended to the gear lever knob, pedals, footrest, and door sills.
The edition came with three engine choices: both the 1.6 HDi 16v 110 hp DPFS and the 1.6 THP150 16v 150 hp variants had single chrome-plated exhaust tips, while the top-spec 1.6 THP175 16v 175 hp engine featured dual chrome-plated exhausts.
Critical Response
The Peugeot 207 garnered varied critiques, with particular dissatisfaction aimed at its cabin design, gearbox performance, and driving dynamics—concerns that were also raised regarding the GTI model. Autocar characterized the hatchback as "conservatively executed," lacking in personality and uniqueness but commended its affordability, safety features, and aesthetic appeal. Reliability issues remained a point of contention; an insurance study ranked it as the fourth least dependable vehicle. On the other hand, the CC version received more favorable reviews; Top Gear described it as "a respectable new iteration of one of the originals...in the hardtop convertible category."
Despite mixed opinions, sales were robust in the UK market, where it placed sixth overall and third within the supermini segment for 2007 with sales exceeding 67,000 units.
207 RCup
At the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot revealed the dynamic 207 RCup, a Super 2000 concept derived from the 207. Equipped with a 2.0 litre petrol engine producing , it was intended as the successor to the 206 World Rally Car, which had been instrumental in Peugeot's manufacturers' championship victories in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Peugeot 207 Epure
Unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2006, the 207 Epure served as a preview for the 207 CC and showcased an innovative hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
Peugeot 207 Super 2000
The Super 2000 specification Peugeot 207 competes in both the Super 2000 World Rally Championship and several European rally competitions. It helped drivers secure championships in the 2008 European Rally Championship as well as across the 2007–2009 seasons of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Nameplate Application
In regions such as China, South America, Southeast Asia, and Iran, a refreshed iteration of the Peugeot 206 has been marketed under the Peugeot 207 name since November 2008. This version retains the original 206 platform but incorporates the front fascia from the facelifted 206+, giving it a resemblance to the Peugeot 207. It is offered in four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and SW body styles within Mercosur markets.
Sales and production
| Year | Global production | Global sales | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Template:TBA | 800 | |
| 2006 | Template:TBA | 300,500 | |
| 2007 | Template:TBA | 520,200 | |
| 2008 | Template:TBA | 468,300 | |
| 2009 | 386,400 | 411,100 | Launch of 206+ model. |
| 2010 | 344,900 | 353,100 | |
| 2011 | 293,836 | 296,665 | Cumulative production surpassed 2.36 million vehicles. |
| 2012 | 135,400 | 147,900 | Overall production went beyond 2.5 million units. |