Pug’s sports oiler nears

PEUGEOT’S first diesel-powered two-door, the all-new 406 HDi coupe, is just a month away from Australian shores and has already been priced at an attractive $72,500 for the fully-loaded six-speed auto, representing a $2510 premium over the V6 version ($69,990).

In other Peugeot news, the all-new 207 hatch will be sold alongside what was to be its predecessor, the popular 206 (which remains among Europe’s five top-selling models), when it goes on sale here in December - because at about 200mm longer it’s as big as the previous-generation 306 small car.

Meantime, Pug’s facelifted 307 hatch/coupe/wagon range is now on sale in Australia, but won’t be joined by volume-selling HDi/auto variants until mid-year.

About half of the 1500 407 sedans and wagons sold in 2005 were turbo-diesels and Peugeot Automobiles Australia expects to sell more than 2000 examples of the upgraded 307 Touring/hatch this year.