AFTER a decade of mostly lacklustre offerings, the old Peugeot flair is back in a big way with its smallest and cheapest model, the 208 Active 1.2.
Along with involving dynamics, alluring styling, and an intriguing approach to interior packaging, there is also a sweet and strong three-cylinder petrol engine – a downsizing exercise that lifts the latest French light car higher than its modest outputs suggest.
Take the time to scratch beyond the pretty surface, because this new baby is a real return to form for Peugeot.
207 XR
Released: February 2007
Ended: September 2012
Family Tree: 208WHILE it offered considerably more space and refinement over the pert 206, the 207 never really fired strongly in Australia.
A bevy of models came and went – including CC folding roof convertible, Touring wagon, and GTI high-performance versions – while the base XR and more up-spec XT were the range mainstays.
The most entry-level XR version was the three-door hatch, available from the start to August 2009 with a 55kW/120Nm 1.4-litre SOHC four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.
More money bought a five-door with a 65kW/133Nm 1.4L twin-cam version and the option of a five-speed automatic from February 2008, while that same month an 88kW/160Nm 1.6L twin-cam unit mated solely with a lower-tech four-speed auto was introduced.
During 2010 a Series II upgrade was launched ushering minor trim and equipment changes, along with an uprated 70kW/136Nm version of the 1.4L twin-cam/five-speed manual engine combo.
The three-door 207 XR was dropped towards the end of 2009.
Road Test
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