Car: Peugeot 207 Economique
Prices: £13,495-£14,995 – on the road
Insurance Group: 4
Emissions: 99g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 11.7s / Max Speed 115mph
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 74.3mpg
Safety: Twin front and side airbags, ABS
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4030/1748/1502
WILL THE ‘MIQUE INHERIT THE EARTH?
Our Rating: 7.1 / 10
Peugeot is in search of the green Pound with its 207 Economique. Steve Walker takes a look.
Car buyers have been confronted with a whole new category of cars in recent times, one that has pervaded across the middle to lower part of the market almost in its entirety. Environmental special models are, depending on your point of view, the motor industry’s answer to the peril our planet finds itself in or a cynical marketing ploy to tap the growing public desire to go green and cut costs. Peugeot’s standard bearing green range is called Economique and the 207 Economique is tasked with winning sales at the green end of the supermini sector.
There was what looked suspiciously like a touch of indecision in the Peugeot ranks at the time when the various manufacturer environmental brands started to get off the ground. By now you may have heard of Ford’s ECOnetic, Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX, Volkswagen’s BlueMotion or some of the other variations on this theme but while these brands were pushing their eco-credentials Peugeot appeared to edging towards a different approach.
The French manufacturer unveiled its Blue Lion standard which is awarded to all of its low emissions models as a handy guide for consumers but it initially resisted the urge to produce environmental special models in the way its competitors had. As rival manufacturers started to enjoy success with their efforts, however, Peugeot could hold off no longer. The 207 Economique arrived with the kind of aerodynamic and efficiency tweaks we’ve come to expect from such vehicles. It may have been a little late turning up to the eco-friendly party but with sub-100g/km emissions, it’s brought the equivalent of an enormous bowl of Fair Trade mung bean salad.
It’s natural to assume that there will be some kind of compromise in the way the 207 Economique drives as a result of its focus on efficiency but Peugeot assures us that no such downsides will be evident in its car. Power comes from the same 1.6-litre HDi engine that pops up in other 207 models and is used elsewhere across the Peugeot range. It has 90bhp and can propel the 207 Economique from 0-60mph in 11.7s, then on to a 115mph top speed. That and its 218Nm of torque will be enough for the eco-friendly Peugeot to keep pace with most middle of the road superminis.
The 207 isn’t an obvious candidate for conversion to environmental special form as it’s quite a size, even by modern supermini standards. The advantage of the Peugeot’s mass is its composure and that all important big car feel out on the road. It’s an unhurried, comfortable car to drive that’s great on longer journeys and takes to twisty back roads with relish thanks to its well-judged suspension. The 5-speed gearbox is the only real drawback. The slack action isn’t what you want in a nimble supermini and it lets the rest of the driving package down a bit.
Lowered suspension and body kits were once the preserve of models from the faster end of the supermini spectrum but now they’ve been transplanted on to environmentally-focused models like the 207 Economique. The reason is that they lend significant aerodynamic benefits and owners get the added advantage that the car looks sportier than it otherwise would as well.
The Economique is 5mm lower than a conventional 207 and features deeper side sill extensions along with extra trim on to lower edge of the front bumper and optimised air intakes. It all helps to bring the car closer to terra firma, forcing more air over the roof and helping the car move more efficiency. It also gives the car a hot hatch-style appearance as there’s a two part rear spoiler which sits at the top of the rear screen either side of the high level brake light. Economique features that hot hatch owners would be less likely to see on their cars include special aerodynamic wheel trims and Michelin low rolling resistance tyres.
The styling of the 207 was somewhat controversial when the car first appeared but recent revisions have helped tone down looks that were once more striking than conventionally attractive. The large front intake is flanked by a pair of vents that visually widen the car and LED tail lights feature at the rear. The cabin has also benefited from much needed trim enhancements but it still isn’t one of the sector’s more impre
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