And, for me, the 407's nose is bold, dramatic and menacing. Dragging its bottom lip like a road-going Great White.
Peugeot prides itself on more than 100 years of stunning coupés.
From the eye-catching Type 21 Coupé in 1898, to the big-selling Pininfarina-designed 406, the French automotive giant has been quietly racking up a healthy heritage of two-door models. And the 407 Coupé is its latest foray.
When the 406 Coupé was launched in 1997, its sleek, feline lines attracted universal acclaim. In fact, some said it was better looking than the Pininfarina-designed Ferraris of the time. Sadly, by the company's own high standards, the in-house designed 407 is certainly no match for the older car.
Comparison
It's squarer-looking and even slightly bloated in comparison. But that's not to say it's not striking in a beefy kind of way.
I drove the Peugeot through the countryside around the Spanish city of Granada and the excitement it generated was immediately evident.
It sits low on the road and its solidity transmits through to the driver as it flows through bends.
The ride and handling are fantastically forgiving, yet dynamic thanks to electronically-controlled settings which adjust to suit speed and surface.
On sale from this month, the latest coupé is available with 2.2 and 3.0-litre petrol engines, as well as the superb 2.7-litre diesel V6, as used by Jaguar.
It's a little more spacious than the 406 Coupé, and Peugeot claims that it is the most structurally rigid car that it has ever produced. The whispering 205bhp diesel is certainly the engine of choice.
Massive mid-range torque means driving quickly in this intercontinental express is effortless.
Nimble
WHILE not overtly sporty, its comfortable, quick and nimble enough for a car that weighs two tonnes. Pushed hard through the pot-holed bends which characterise the wide-sweeping roads of Andalucia, the 407 Coupé feels beautifully balanced and surprisingly lithe. The driver's low-slung position is classically coupé, as is the disappointing rear-seat accommodation.
Steering is sharp and variable power assistance gives the impression of feel at least.
Hit the brakes hard enough and the hazard lights come on automatically - which is a nice touch when there's 14 other 407 coupés being driven equally badly in close vicinity.
The seats and interior are superbly finished and are every bit the match for those in the Mercedes CLK and the 3-series coupé. In fact, no other Peugeot has been finished to this level. It's assembled on a special slow-running conveyor belt at the company's factory in Rennes.
And, unlike its established rivals, basic equipment is generous. All three models - from entry S to SE and GT - get seven airbags, ABS, ESP, Xenon headlamps, rear parking aids, dual-zone air-conditioning, high-grade radio/CD and automatic lights and wipers.
Having sold around 11,000 406 Coupés in the UK, Peugeot is aiming to shift some 2,500 of its two-door 407 here a year. And top brass are confident that the mixture of its classic coupé looks, value and exclusivity will woo enough buyers away from the badge-snob appeal of its prestige rivals.
But, with premium sales riding high, there's little doubt the French car will need every ounce of each of these perceived qualities to keep it afloat in the Mercedes and BMW-infested waters that it will find itself launched into next month.
I wonder if that's why they gave it gills?
View comments (1 comment 07/12/2006 at 22:38)
