C&C Automobiles Presents the Latest from Peugeot
Peugeot is one of the European brands which has a long history that is filled with models that have been innovators in one way or another in their time. This spirit has never diminished through the many decades and even in the 21st century, it is evident in the broad product range which C&C Automobiles (CCA), the Malaysian franchise holder, offers.
At Dewan Merdeka in the Putra World Trade Centre, visitors will have an opportunity to view the latest models from the French carmaker and even place bookings for them if they prove so irresistable.
The highlights are the new 807 MPV, 307 SW, Partner and the long-awaited successor to the legendary 205GTi, the 206GTi. Also present are models which CCA has been selling for some months now – the 206, 307, 206CC and 607.
807
The new 807, with an estimated price of RM159,094 (without insurance) lays claim to being one of the safest MPVs around and this is not just Peugeot’s own claim either. This model scored the maximum of 5 stars in the independent EuroNCAP crash tests, the first MPV to achieve the highest score in the test.
However, EuroNCAP tests relate only to impacts on the body and their effects on the occupants who also have the added protection of airbags and curtain airbags that protect occupants on all three rows. Also as critical is Active Safety where the vehicle should be able avoid an accident from happening whenever possible. In this area too, the 807 excels with the latest generation of ABS for the brakes and also electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) which is particularly important for a vehicle that can have a lot of variation in front-rear loads. Emergency Brake Assist is also installed and this recognizes that the driver is braking in emergency conditions and boosts pressure automatically to get maximum stopping power. At the same time, the hazard lights will flash on in such a situation to alert drivers behind of the sudden and hard braking.
These features all make the new 807 a very safe MPV but they are not all that make this Peugeot a class-leading model. Clever packaging has resulted in an exceptionally spacious cabin (with electrically-operated sliding doors) for seven or eight persons while using the same platform and architecture as the 806. However, even with the enlarged body on this platform, the overall weight has been moderated, thanks to the roof which is of riveted aluminium plate bonded to the body frame, while the front and rear wings and tailgate are made from impregnated and compressed composite material.
The version imported by CCA presently is the ST with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. It’s a well proven engine which produces 100 kW/137 bhp of power and 190 Nm of torque to have a top speed capability of around 185 km/h.
To provide maximum driving pleasure, the 807 comes with a tiptronic-type automatic transmission made by Porsche. This offers the option of fully automatic shifting or manual selection when desired. The transmission is adaptive in nature, meaning it will ‘learn’ the way each person drives and provide the best type of shifting pattern.
The running gear of the 807 has been chosen to ensure a smooth, level and quiet ride even with a full complement of passengers or cargo; predictable but responsive handling in all conditions; and maximum safety. The front suspension consists of MacPherson-type struts with a single lower wishbone while at the rear, the tubular beam axle has been flattened in its central area and now provides an anti-roll function. At each end, a Panhard-type stabilising bar connects the axle to the floor to give lateral stability. Variable-rate dampers are fitted to take account of the different loads the car is likely to carry.
307SW
Among the French companies, there seems to be a noticeable absence of SUVS. Typical of the French, being ‘different’ is not unusual and as far as Peugeot is concerned, it’s not necessary to offer SUVs because demand in Europe – its largest market – is not as great as elsewhere.
Instead, Peugeot has come up with a different concept that still emphasizes fun and recreation. It’s called the ‘SW’ concept and the first model using this concept is the 307SW which has just gone on sale in Europe.
While one might imagine ‘SW’ to stand for ‘stationwagon’, this is not the case and no specific meaning is said to be attached to it. The stationwagon profile is coincidental and derived from extending the 307 hatchback platform. Compared to the 5-door hatchback, the 307SW is 210 mm longer at 4420 mm with a 100 mm longer wheelbase.
The result is a nicely proportioned mid-sized people-carrier but without the bulk of a some other MPVs. The attention-getter of the 307SW is the giant 1.33 sq. metre tinted glass roof, a standard feature. This runs from the top of the windscreen to the middle of the roof, providing a uniquely different feeling inside the cabin. The glass roof can’t be opened to let air in (like a conventional sunroof) but there is a motorised sliding cover to close it off. This glass roof concept may not be entirely practical in our harsh sunny climate but nevertheless, it is still nice to have.
As for safety if the car rolls over on the roof, the thick tinted glass is laminated so it will not shatter into millions of little pieces. It will crack, though, but extensive crash testing has shown that having a glass roof is no more dangerous than a steel one and its main drawback is that it adds weight.
Inside the 307SW, the front layout is essentially the same as that of the hatchback, very functional and spacious with useful storage spaces. The glovebox has a huge volume, enough to contain two large mineral water bottles.
The lengthened cabin enables the 307SW to be a 7-seater with three separate seats making up the second row. Each of these seats can be removed and repositioned in various ways, as well as two more positions in the boot area. This flexible seating layout is what the SW concept is all about.
Under the 307SW is the same suspension layout as the 307 with inverted MacPherson struts up front and a U-shaped torsion beam for the rear end. Variable-rate dampers at the rear ensure that varying loads are coped with and the presence of EBD also provides more stable braking when unequal loads are on board.
The 307SW offered in Malaysia (estimated price without insurance: RM129,950.50) has a 1587 cc TU5JP4 engine and this delivers 81 kW of power with 147 Nm of torque through a tiptronic 4-speed automatic transmission. The light weight of the car enables it to reach a maximum speed claimed to be 180 km/h.
Partner
The Partner is another kind of approach to the idea of a vehicle for recreation. It’s a simple concept, yet one which is highly practical. The version CCA is now bringing in is the second generation and features a sleeker look with better equipment levels.
The cubic body may seem odd at first but once inside, it will be clear that the extra headroom and vertical sides are actually nice to have. The large glass areas give an airy feeling and if you open the side sliding doors, you can have a relaxing time parked at the seaside.
The Partner can swallow up lots of cargo and even with the rear seats in use, there’s 264 litres of space; fold down the seats and this expands to 2800 litres if you use the volume right up to the ceiling. Imagine how many furniture sets you could put in on just one trip to IKEA…
The ergonomics of the new Partner show more refinement with a feel that is even closer to that of a passenger car. There are many useful storage spaces all over and even on the ceiling, there is a shelf to keep things.
The Partner rides on independent suspension with dampers that can adapt to different loads and still maintain a good level of stability and comfort. The rear suspension has a compact layout with some elements inclined to limit intrusion into the cargo space.
CCA is presently importing the 1.4-litre Partner which has an estimated price of RM71,742 (without insurance). This petrol engine produces a respectable 55 kW/75 bhp of power and 120 Nm of torque which flows through a 5-speed manual transmission to the road.
206GTi
The 205GTi was a legendary model and enthusiasts around the world still have high regard for it. Now comes a worthy successor in the form of the 206GTi which clearly has been inspired by Peugeot’s 206 WRC.
With a price of around RM145,000 without insurance, the new 206GTi promises the sort of performance which will be breath-taking. Even without moving, it already shouts “PERFORMANCE’ with the extras added to the smart 3-door body of the 206.
The light weight of around 1050 kgs means that much of the 100 kW/137 bhp from the DOHC 16-valve 2.0-litre engine can be used to propel the 206GTi forward rather than to overcome weight. This enables it to get from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.4 seconds and stop the speedometer at 210 km/h.
To go with the zesty driving dynamics, the inside of the 206GTi also has dynamically exciting appointments. Silver-rimmed dials make for a serious and aggressive look while the body-hugging seats will keep the body in place at every high-g turn.
However, Peugeot never forgets safety and the 206GTi has a high level of occupant protection in the form of airbags, ABS, EBD and EBA. Computer-aided design of the bodyshell has endowed it with strength to withstand impacts well by dissipating forces rather than transferring them into the cabin.
