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Peugeot has just launched its fascinating new 4007 SUV in Australia. All Peugeot and very French in its stylish appearance the 4007 is aimed at the buyer looking for a something out of the ordinary in a practical people mover, someone who wants to make a statement on the road. A statement their vehicle isn't macho, but makes its own way in the style stakes.
This buyer probably has no intention of taking their 4007 off the beaten track, but is actually missing out on something special in life due to thinking that way. Because the 2010 Peugeot 4007 has a lot more going for it than simply looks that jump out from the SUV / 4WD crowd. This is no pretender, this is a vehicle designed by Mitsubishi, a company with a huge amount of experience in all segments of the 4WD field.
Instead of Peugeot designing a new crossover vehicle from the ground up, with all that would have meant in the way of an enormous outlay of research and development money, it formed an alliance with the Japanese Mitsubishi company. At the front the 4007 is most definitely a Peugeot, with its bold ‘wide-mouth’ look, but behind that big grille there's a Mitsubishi Outlander, one of the most competent vehicles in the crossover SUV arena. Though ‘crossover’ isn't the correct term, because the 4WD system is a sophisticated one that will let the adventurous family explore territory that's not available to many vehicles in this class.
Turn the console mounted knob from 2WD to 4WD and you get a lot more traction on the beach, forestry trails, bush tracks and the like. You can even traverse fairly challenging rocky surfaces thanks to a decent ground clearance. And if you do want to tackle a bit more, then it's time to engage the 4WD Lock setting by way of a further twist of that knob. As a bonus in real life driving, you have the option of using 2WD or 4WD on sealed surfaces at all times. Though this is probably best used on slippery roads in wet weather, or in the snow country, it's possible to engage the 4WD Auto system permanently and use it as a different form of ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
The new Peugeot 4007 is sold with either five or seven seats - our road test car came with the optional seven-seat layout. The rearmost seats fold up from the floor and are really only intended for children, but can be used in an emergency if need be. Unlike some other seven-seaters in this class, the Peugeot can still carry a reasonable amount of luggage when all seven seats are occupied. We sat three typical cabin bags vertically in our 4007 and still had space for some soft items beside them. Ride comfort is good and the 4007 displays Peugeot's renowned ability to soak up bumps on harsh Australian roads. Handling is good for an SUV, though you wouldn't exactly call it a sporting vehicle. Feedback through the steering if better than average for this class and the keen driver will appreciate the way the French suspension engineers have tuned the vehicle.
Peugeot has installed one of its new design 2.2-litre four-cylinder engines behind that big open-mouth grille. Torque of 250 Nm is produced when the engine is turning at a mere 1250 revs, and reaches its impressive peak of 380 Nm at 2000 rpm. Meaning almost all drivers will have the turbo-diesel engine operating in its best zones all the time. This shows in the way the six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission is able to hold high gears in situations where most others would need to come down a ratio. This makes for a quieter cabin and lower fuel consumption and emissions. On the latter front, the Peugeot engine is fitted with an exhaust particulate filter to further minimise already-low pollutant levels. Not many manufacturers choose to do this as the Australian emission regulations are less stringent that the European ones. But Peugeot wants to be a good corporate citizen in Australia.
The confidence of the Australian Peugeot importer in this diesel engine is shown by the fact that no petrol powered 4007s are offered in this country. Peugeot rates the vehicle as being capable of towing up to two tonnes if the caravan/trailer has brakes fitted. On the road, the Peugeot 4007 typically ran a fuel consumption of seven to eight litres per hundred kilometres during our testing on the open road. This rose to nine to ten litres around town. Which is pretty low for a vehicle capable of carrying seven people and with a 4WD system that can cope with plenty of tough stuff.
This match between Peugeot and Mitsubishi really does make the best use of the expertise of both partners. Mitsubishi’s expertise in the 4WD field and Peugeot’s ability to provide smooth riding and driver-oriented suspension dynamics mean the 4007 should carve out a neat niche for itself among buyers looking for a blend of fashion and function.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
ST 2.2-litre turbo-diesel five-seat five-door wagon: $47,990 (automatic)
ST 2.2-litre turbo-diesel seven-seat five-door wagon: $49,190 (automatic)
SV 2.2-litre turbo-diesel five-seat five-door wagon: $45,490 (manual)
SV 2.2-litre turbo-diesel seven-seat five-door wagon: $54,190 (automatic)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Not offered in SV five-seater, standard in all other models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Peugeot 4007 ST HDi 2.2-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.179 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: NA
Bore/Stroke: 86.0 mm x 96.0 mm
Maximum Power: 115 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 380 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel drive
Manual Transmission: Six-speed (five-seater)
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed (seven-seater)
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4635 mm
Wheelbase: 2672 mm
Width: 2072 mm
Height: 1715 mm
Turning Circle: 10.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 1790 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 2000 kg with braked trailer
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.0 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
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