Peugeot re-enters B-segment with 207 sedan
Nasim Sdn Bhd, official distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, has officially launched the 207 (T33) sedan today. The new model is the first Peugeot produced in Malaysia, as opposed to just assembled previously, and will soon be exported from Naza’s plant in Gurun to neighbouring right-hand drive markets.
Earlier this year, Automobiles Peugeot signed an agreement with Nasim to make Malaysia the ASEAN manufacturing hub for Peugeot. The 207 is the first model to be launched under this agreement, and exports will commence immediately, with an appearance in the 2011 Bangkok Motor Show in the pipeline.
Although launched as an all-new model for our market, it is no secret that the 207 is in actual fact a 206 grafted with a boot and a new face. As such, the car’s mechanics need little introduction, being carried over wholesale from the 206. Steering rack, brakes, and suspension architecture are unchanged from the 206 going into the 207.
The familiarity is reinforced in the cabin, with a dashboard carried over, to our eyes, virtually unchanged. There are, however, added goodies, and the list of equipment includes auto air-condition, Bluetooth/USB/MP3 compatible audio, 60:40 split folding seats, auto headlights, auto wipers, and trip computer with multi-function display.
Safety gear is class competitive, but not fully class-leading. The list starts with dual airbags, ISOFIX mounts, and immobilizer. Brakes are backed up by a 4-channel ABS with EBD, though the rear wheels have to make do with drums.
The suspension setup is worth studying. Up front is what Peugeot calls a ‘pseudo-MacPherson’ strut, but don’t read too much into it, it’s just a typical MacPherson strut which everyone else uses. The rear uses, in Peugeot’s words, independent trailing arms with transverse torsion bars (note plural). We are looking forward to get our hands on a test car and jack it up for a closer inspection.
In the engine room, the preceding 1.4-litre TU3 engine is withdrawn from service and replaced with the bigger 1.6-litre TU5 engine. Question will arise on why the newer BMW-PSA Prince engine is not offered instead, and the simple answer is that the it won’t fit. Displacing 1,597cc, the TU5 makes 110hp @ 5,800rpm and 147Nm @ 4,000rpm. Paired to it is a 4-speed torque converter auto governed by Porsche’s Tiptronic transmission control software.
Nasim has set a sales target of 5,000 – 6,000 units for the 207 in 2011, though it was not made clear if that figure includes export models. What has been made clear is its intention to present itself as a genuine contender against the Japanese B-segment players. On-the-road with insurance, Nasim’s asking price for the 207 is RM72,888.
UPDATE (4/11/2010): The price of RM72,888 stated above is as of now, an estimate. Nasim will provide us with the finalized price at a later date.
