Peugeot 407 Review
Published: 17th January 2005
Peugeot 407
How It Drove - Performance
The Peugeot 407 SE 2.2 is powered by a 2.2 litre, 16v petrol engine which produces 160 bhp at 5,650 rpm, and maximum torque of 163 lb/ft at 3,900 rpm, 92% of which is available between 2,000 rpm and 5,500 rpm enabling it to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9 seconds and continue to a top speed of 136 mph.
To reduce the natural vibrations transmitted by the 4-cylinder engine during acceleration, this engine is equipped with two balance shafts driven by the crankshaft. To encourage high torque at low engine speeds, the intake camshaft is equipped with a variable timing system (On/Off, VTC) offset by up to 20° with respect to the crankshaft. Engine management is by means of a type 4 MP Magneti Marelli unit controlling a phased sequential injection and an ignition, also sequential, with one ignition coil per cylinder.
We found the 2.2 litre engine to be smooth, quiet and nicely balanced. The 6-speed gearbox is designed for motorway cruising, where no doubt most 407’s will spend their infant years, zipping to appointments. Although the 6-speed gearbox does allow for more relaxed driving and better fuel economy - on occasion when overtaking slower moving traffic on the motorway you do have to downshift to fifth gear to move away from the pack. We achieved a little over 30 mpg during our test period, with a mixture of urban, town and motorway use.
The 6-speed manual gearboxes are adapted to the characteristics specific to each engine. These differences concern gear and axle ratios, which are shorter with the petrol engine than with the Diesel engine.
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
The new 407 takes the market segment into new territory, with its dynamically engineered chassis featuring new double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The 407 has remarkable levels of grip even when pushed hard (on a dry road surface) and it is relatively difficult to understeer. However, if you do overstep the mark the 407 is equipped with ESP (electronic stability programme) with ASR, CBC and Dynamic Stability Control which is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during acceleration, cornering and avoidance manoeuvres.
On the 2.0 litre and 2.2 litre petrol and diesel engines, the electro-hydraulic power steering is supplied by an electro pump unit controlled according to the speed of the car and the speed of rotation of the steering wheel. We found the electro-hydraulic power steering a little over-assisted for our taste which in our opinion took away some of the feedback necessary for a spirited drive but this is not going to disappoint the majority drivers.
All 407’s feature an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with integral braking control on individual wheels, including distribution between the front and rear axles with electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) and a new system allowing independent control of the right and left hand wheels. In addition, the 407 is fitted with emergency braking assistance (EBA) and automatic activation of the hazard warning lights in the event of sharp deceleration, which operates independently of the ABS.
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