Peugeot 607 is exceptional

The Peugeot 607 is an exceptional new hi-tech saloon set to make its mark on the large car sector, and it has just recently arrived in Ireland. It replaces the less-than-popular 605 former flagship of the Lion brand, which was well specified and affordable but didn't have the appeal of being a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. The fact that it looked too much like a bigger version of the venerable 405 didn’t help either its appeal or its residual values.

None of the predecessor’s failings can be applied to the 607. It is a large, imposing, distinctively-styled car that also manages not to be ostentatious. Large headlamps cut deep into the bonnet and the lion badge dominates the front, and the narrow band of stainless steel trim on the glass area is a classy touch.

Inside there's everything you would expect of a luxury flagship. There are four levels of specification available - Titanium, Diamond, Ebony and Ivory - each with different combinations of microcarbon, wood, leather, cloth and velour trim and materials. It is clear that comfort and creature comforts were foremost in the interior designers’ minds when they attacked their brief for this car.

Steering adjusts for reach and rake, the driver’s seat is electrically multi-adjustable and seats are large and supportive. Attention to detail is instantly evident, all major controls falling easily to hand. There are lots of cubby holes and oddment bins.

Bringing the base (for the moment - 2-litre petrol and diesel engines will be made available to the Irish market because of our draconian VRT system) 607 to life is a sparkling 4-cylinder 2.2-litre petrol engine mated to a slick short-throw 5-speed gearbox. It produces a sporty 160bhp with 217Nm of torque available at 3900rpm. The car can shift to 62mph in under ten seconds, on its way to a claimed top speed of around 135mph.

With that kind of performance you'd expect a fuel penalty, but the official combined cycle is 31mpg (though after 350 miles the computer in mine told me that my unique driving style was averaging around 26.7mpg).

Even under a heavy foot and charging up through the gears, the engine stays composed and smooth all the time, near silent and barely audible. Keeping things all on the road are large 16” wheels clothed in Pirelli P6000 225/55 R16 rubber which grip like glue.

As a neat trick in these times of Celtic Tiger laziness, each wheel has a sensor valve for tyre pressure. This ensures a continuous check on tyre pressures without getting one’s fingers dirty, and in the event of any problem it activates a visual warning on the instrument panel.

On poor roads, the suspension soaks up the bumps effortlessly; on dual carriageway/motorway cruising it really comes into its own, with an exceptional ride and Peugeot's engineers have done an amazing job to almost eliminate body roll when cornering.

The effort to achieve this was one of the reasons why the arrival of the 607 to market took longer than planned. Keeping the 607 stable and poised is a ingenious suspension system with its variable shock-absorption that complies to 9 parameters.

If a curve unexpectedly tightens up, any sudden twitch of the steering wheel by the driver tells the 607’s ESP system (Electronic Stability Programme) the right way to go. The ESP manages and co-ordinates electronic brake force distribution ensures optimum distribution of braking power on each of the four wheels, ABS and traction control.

Passive safety features include two front airbags, two side airbags and inflatable side curtains which likewise protect the heads of front and rear passengers.

There is no visible handle or lock for the boot lid, which is either operated remotely or by simply pressing on the ‘zero’ in the 607 rear badge. This reveals a vast boot space of some 601 litres. For accessibility and flexibility, it can be divided by a net, or expanded via the 60/40 rear seats.

Standard specification of the 607 is high and in 'S' guise as tested, which costs £30,205 ex-works, includes alarm, electric driver's seat, alloy wheels, cruise control, central locking, air conditioning, CD changer, automatic ‘lights-on’, on-board computer, and athermic windscreen.

Some 350 607s are expected to be sold in Ireland in the coming year according to franchisee Gowan Group’s Dave McConnell. The price variation for the full range, which will be available from the Spring, will £26,705-£41,705.