Price: From R110 500
The French really have the hang of design -“ this nation is synonymous with fashion; just think Chanel, Dior, Gaultier-¦ And Peugeot’s baby 107 is a typical case in point. Yes, it is obviously a form of transport. But motorists buy this vehicle for other reasons too. It’s a firm favourite with the ladies because of its head-turning design, funky interior, outstanding build quality (you won’t find a rattle or squeak) and fabulous fuel consumption (just 4.6 litres per 100 km in mixed driving). We like the 107 Trendy, which comes with an air-conditioner and front-loading CD.
Developed as part of a PSA-Toyota partnership, the Peugeot’s 107 is practically identical to Citroën’s C1 and Toyota’s Aygo, but arrives on local soil ahead of its two rival “cousins”. Therefore, the Pug cub will, in all likelihood, be the starting point for all future comparisons between the three, if (in the case of the Aygo) and when (C1 touches down from December) the others arrive.
Apart from a few cosmetic differences, the cars are essentially the same. In the 107, the 998 cm3 engine produces a usable 50 kW at 6 000 r/min and a peak torque figure of 93 N.m at 3 600 r/min. Drive is to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, and an entertaining exhaust note means that this car never feels as brittle as you would initially have thought it to be.
Its engine is lively, delivers sure responses to throttle prods, and by virtue of the 107s virtually non-existent overhangs, the city car is very wieldy in traffic. It has the potential to become the urban runabout du jour – a gutsy go-anywhere, do-anything attitude and a big, friendly grin from Peugeot’s signature grille. It’s also quick (enough) off the mark to take advantage of some gaps in rush-hour traffic, and who could remain angry at anything with a face like that?
From the inside, the bold facia stands out for its funky, chunky centre console. With X Line specification, the audio unit protrudes above the translucent white plastic section, complete with headphone-shaped temperature and ventilation controls on either side. A conventional cubby is absent, but not missed since there are ample storage spaces dotted around the cabin for odds and ends.
Tiny as it is, the 107’s cabin area is surprisingly spacious, with enough space for four adults to sit in relative comfort. The car offers very little luggage space, but thankfully its 50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat to free up some extra room for your shopping- and gym bags.
