Peugeot SA has confirmed that the eye-catching new 407, based on the Elixir concept car shown at the Frankfurt motor show, will replace the ageing 406 in South Africa next year.
Peugeot SA has confirmed that the eye-catching new 407, based on the Elixir concept car shown at the Frankfurt motor show, will replace the ageing 406 in South Africa next year.
The 406 has been the elder statesman in the highly-competitive compact saloon market. But when its successor arrives, BMW’s 3 Series, Audi’s A4, Citroën’s C5, Alfa Romeo’s 156 and even the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will have to contend with a high-tech newcomer that should punch much harder than the 406.
As these pictures show, the 407’s front end looks much like that of the Elixir. Note the low sloping nose, gaping air scoop and enormous Peugeot badge. The rear end of the 407 bears a strong resemblance to that of the recently-launched 307 CC, which also served as the platform for Peugeot’s 2004 WRC competitor.
The 407 will use rear multi-link suspension derived from the 406 and a new double-wishbone suspension up front, instead of the usual Peugeot struts. The Peugeot 407 is expected to be released sporting the PSA-Ford 2,7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine as seen at Frankfurt, as well as a revised version of the 2,2-litre diesel and two-litre petrol engines.
The Ford/PSA powerplant has also been earmarked to appear under the bonnet of the next Jaguar S-Type, which will follow the release of the 407.
Further cues from the Elixir, such as a glass roof and the styling at the rear end, will appear on the estate version of the 407. The SW will be offered with both five and seven seat configurations, which will make it significantly larger and more spacious than the current 406 estate.
The Elixir featured a Tiptronic-like sequential gearbox and nine airbags, all of which are expected to be included as options on the production 407 when it is released next year.
Speaking to CARtoday.com on Monday, Peugeot SA spokesman Lee Luck said that the 407 “would be launched in South Africa in the second half of next year”.
“The range will initially consist of saloon derivatives and the SW model will be introduced at a later date,” Luck added.
The 407 range will be rounded off with a coupé, replacing the Pininfarina-designed 406 coupé, in 2005.
