Peugeot service deal a first for New Zealand

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The new Peugeot 407 has just gone on sale, starting in price around $4000 more than the outgoing 406.

First up is the sedan range, powered by a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The entry-level model uses a 2.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and costs $47,990. The four-speed automatic version is priced at $49,990.

The 2-litre turbodiesel with its four-speed automatic gearbox is next on the price list at $51,990. The sedan range tops out with the 3-litre V6 and its six-speed gearbox at $62,490.

The range of 407 station wagons will go on sale in October. There will be no manual models. The 2.2-litre automatic will cost $52,990, the 2-litre diesel $54,990 and the premium V6 $65,490.

The sedan and station wagon range rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and comes with an extensive list of standard equipment including eight airbags (an optional ninth sits in the steering column), automatic rain sensor wipers and headlights, dual zone climate control, and six-stacker CD.

Steve Kenchington, the general manager of Peugeot importers Sime Darby Automobiles New Zealand, said the prices were competitive. "The 407 is an outstanding car that will set new benchmarks for its class."

The range comes with a three-year/60,000km free service plan, a first for Peugeot in New Zealand.

"It's not just another warranty. It's tailored to service the vehicle free for the first three years of ownership," said Kenchington.

Meanwhile, Peugeot is expected to produce a two-door coupe on the 407 platform within the next two years.

The French carmaker showed off the coupe concept, codenamed Silhouette, at the Geneva motor show in March.

Officially, the show car was created as a mid-engined racer, powered by a longitudinally mounted 240kW 3-litre V6 driving a six-speed sequential transmission. But the word in Europe is that the sporty two-door version of the 407 will share many of the Silhouette's styling cues, including the trademark front overhang. It will also share the sedan's wheelbase. The Silhouette was built on its own tubular spaceframe chassis with a fibreglass body.

The show car's most intriguing feature was an LCD screen built into the steering wheel, which displays the "optimum" racing lines for circuit use - the driver can overlay laps and see where improvements can be made.