Thursday 16th August 2007

More Diesel Power For 407 Coupe

But coupe line-up is shrinking

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Peugeot is ‘revising’ – this must be French for downsizing - its 407 coupe range to feature Sport trim levels only. It is also planning to boost sales by ooh, probably a whole six units, by introducing a new 2.0-litre diesel.

Will diesel Pug Coupe be both frugal and fun?

The new HDi 136 costs £19,995 and emits just 156g/km of CO2. It has a top speed of 129mph and will hit 62mph from rest in 10.1sec, despite still being able to achieve 48mpg on a combined run.

The coupe isn’t exactly been a big seller here in the UK. With its long overhangs and gaping mouth grille, customers haven’t exactly found it easy on the eye. This fact is compounded when your predecessor is the very elegant and Pininfarina-styled 406 coupe. Still, another diesel engine should suit this car’s brief as a comfortable and refined cruiser. But is this what we want from a sports coupe?

[Hendry]

0 - 62mph in 10.1 secs does not a sports coupe make.

And it doesn't look a patch on its forebear. That said, there are few competitors at the price.

[havoc]

Hendry said:

That said, there are few competitors at the price.

What - an ugly, heavy, unreliable non-premium-sector diesel coupe? Not surprised!

The last one was gorgeous. Sadly, Peugeot have lost the plot, design-wise...

[Wigeon Incognito]

The only way I'd choose one of these is if it was a choice between the Coupe or the Saloon on a company cars list (assuming I was only allowed a Peugeot).

In other words, desirable it isn't.

[cathalm]

Id have thought it does have direct competition in the Hyundai Coupe, non premium cheap as chips coupe motoring..

Unless you really lke the peugeot badge (odd in itself since they forgot about corking little hatches) then I'd have thought the Hyundai would be a better bet.

[Frimley111R]

2.0 diesel barge, can't image why no-one want one!

[OllieC]

nevermind the engines, justlook at it

guppy faced gaping maw, nothanks

[thekirbyfake]

£20k for a 136bhp ugly French diesel?

I'll have some of what they're smoking.

[Mr Whippy]

Sloooooooo!

[scottiedog]

I used to lovey quirky French cars, but this thing is hideous , am I correct in thinking that no one knows how to make good looking, affordable cars these days??? Alfa are the only ones that come to mind that actually design a stylish car.

[OllieC]

scottiedog said:

I used to lovey quirky French cars, but this thing is hideous , am I correct in thinking that no one knows how to make good looking, affordable cars these days??? Alfa are the only ones that come to mind that actually design a stylish car.

modern cars look shit

[Barry Ashcroft]

I had the saloon version of this and while I always slaged of peugeots I have to say it was a very good car way better than the Mundano I have at present.
One of these would be on my list for a company hack no problem.

[collateral]

Saw a 406 coupe with chav lights and a loud exhaust earlier in the week.

[thekirbyfake]

OllieC said:

modern cars look shit

tis true

Unfortunately this is because modern cars have to be designed around passenger/pedestrian/badger safety guidelines.

Older cars didn't have this red tape to work around meaning they could make things look however they liked.

Basically older designers were told "Here's Liz Hurley. Make her look good"

Modern car manufacturers ae told "Here's Michelle McManus. Make her look good"

[lydian]

This car looks HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!

[SJobson]

The Alfa GT comes in 1.9 JTD form and is a similar price. Decent interior space, looks rather lovely, and buying Italian is not taking your life in your hands more than buying French.

O/T but I happened to spot a late facelift 406 coupe in Britanny this week. 607 alloys and a new, nasty, front bumper were the obvious changes. Don't think it ever came to the UK in that form, fortunately.