New-look Peugeot 207

French car maker Peugeot has revealed a face lifted 207 range in the UK that heralds improved efficiency, lower C02 emissions and new interiors.

The Peugeot 207's mid-life upgrade spans all models -- three and five-door hatches, SW wagon and CC drop top -- and will begin arriving in Australia before year's end.

Mark McCartney, Peugeot Australia's Promotions and Events Manager, said: "We think it [the 207] will be here by end of the year, December at the very latest."

Asked if any new models or variants would be added to the mix, McCartney explained that there are no specific details as yet, but will be deteremined closer to the local launch. "We're not 100 per cent on model mix and still in the process of figuring out what goes together."

Eagle-eyed readers will note the new look front ends of the 207 Pugs in the form of redesigned front fascias, featuring what Peugeot calls a 'softer visual look'.

Gone is the huge "grinning" front air dam of the previous 207, replaced with a slightly narrower orifice which is now flanked by separated fog lights (as opposed to being intersected by them).

Contemporary LED brake light clusters have been added on all models except the 207 SW (wagon) and Peugeot has also 'increased use of exterior body colouring and chrome detailing'.

Matching the facelifted exteriors, the 207 interiors have been given a mild once-over by Peugeot's artistes, starting with newer, higher quality trims. The instrument panel has also been reworked to deliver a more modern look, according to Peugeot.

The Peugeot 207's mid-life upgrade will also deliver improved standard equipment levels, such as a new entertainment system featuring 'Connect USB' with Bluetooth functionality. The windows on hatchback and SW models can also be remotely opened via the key fob, or 'plip' unit in Peugeot-speak.

Safety features are also expected to be boosted and the French car maker claims that the 207's aerodynamics have been improved and rolling resistances have been reduced, which should lower fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Peugeot also plans to introduce a range of new Euro5 engines and claims some models will emit only 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre (99g/km), which is very low.

Those 207 variants equipped with manual gearboxes will also benefit from a gear change indicator to 'encourage the driver to drive in a more environmentally efficient way'.

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