207 set to drive growth... And 107 in the wings

Peugeot has big plans for its new 207 -- and Australia is set to play an important part. More than a dozen variants of the new supermini will arrive Down Under before the end of 2007, topped off by an all-new 207 coupe-cabrio.

Indeed, with the last remaining 206 already models in dealers (see more below), Peugeot is projecting a record 2200-plus 206/207 deliveries this year. In all, the model will account for more than a quarter of its projected 8500-plus sales.

As well as the folding hardtop range-topper, three and five-door hatches and a new five-door SW or Touring variant will all go on sale in Australia before year end.

Across the range, Peugeot will offer no fewer than four petrol engine variants ranging from a revised eight-valve DOHC 55kW petrol 1.4-litre through to a direct-injected turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant that boasts 128kW and will power the 207 GTi hot hatch. In addition, the company's 80kW/240Nm HDi turbodiesel powerplant will also join the line-up.

Pricing on the new 207 range is keen. Kicking off at $19,990 for the three-door 55kW 1.4-litre 207 XR, the range runs through to $31,490 for the 110kW GT. Pricing and more details for the performance top cat, the GTi will be announced next week at the Melbourne motor show. It is at the show where the hot hatch and 207 CC will actually make their world debuts -- four days ahead of their reveals at the Geneva show.

The XR five-door arrives with a 65kW 16-valve petrol engine and is priced from $21,490. The volume selling XT five door petrol shares its 88kW direct-injected all-new alloy 1.6-litre with the MINI Cooper. In five-speed manual trim it will set you back $24,990 while the four-speed automatic variant kicks off at $27,190.

The XT diesel offering is manual only and is priced at $27,990. The top-of the range five-door is the 88kW XE in auto-only with a fine level of kit at $32,490.

Key options across the 207 range include metallic paint at $680 (just three of the 14 colours offered are non-metallic!), leather trim ($2750), electric sunroof ($1050), alarm ($450) and cruise control ($250). Alloy wheels (17-inch) will set you back $900 on all but the GT/GTi. Both the XR and XT ranges are fitted with steel wheels though at least all models get a full-size spare.

On sale in March, the XR and XT models spearhead the 207's arrival with the GT and XE set for an April onsale. In June the GTi arrives along with the 207 CC coupe-cabrio. The last piece in the 207 puzzle will be the arrival in October of the SW or Touring wagons -- with both petrol and turbodiesel powerplants.

It is also around October when an announcement is expected on the arrival of Peugeot's 107 mini-car Down Under. The French marque had initially planned to sell the outgoing 206 alongside the 207 for the next couple of years at least. However the closure of the Ryton (UK) plant from which Aussie 206s were sourced meant that up to a five-month supply gap would have been created.

This supply gap, coupled with the expansion of the production of right-hand drive 107s, has seen the company reconsider its 206 plans. Though no final decision has been made it is now likely 107 will arrive later this year or early in 2008.

Built on a common platform with Toyota's Euro-market Aygo and Citroen's C1, the 107 is a conventional, if compact, three-door. It should not be confused with the marque's Euro-only sliding-door 1007.

In addition to the 107, Peugeot is also looking to finalise plans to debut a range of light commercials Down Under. According to Peugeot Australia sources, both the Boxer and Expert vans are currently under consideration.

Look out for our local launch review of the new 207 soon.

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