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Peugeot 207 GTi road test report

GTi

The Peugeot 205 GTi is an iconic car that petrolheads have been lusting over for a quarter of a century. It’s been a benchmark for hot hatches ever since its introduction in 1984, so the 207 GTi was eagerly anticipated when it was launched in 2007. Could Peugeot conjure up a thrill-maker for the 21st Century to bring a smile back to the faces of Pug-lovers everywhere? Well, yes and no. While it’s accomplished and competitively priced, ultimately the 207 GTi suffers from comparison with the likes of the Mini Cooper S as the hot hatch market becomes increasingly competitive.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Peugeot 207 GTi

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CRAIGT SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The BMW/PSA-developed 1.6-litre engine previously fitted in the 207 GT – and also used in the Mini Cooper and Cooper S – also powers the GTi, but this time it’s been tuned to deliver a bit more power, 175bhp in total, and generate 180lb-ft of torque. However, thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger that starts to produce 113lb-ft from only 1,000rpm, and deliver maximum torque at only 1,600rpm, there is no identifiable turbo lag, so almost all the torque is on tap immediately. There’s also an overboost function that can take the output to 195lb-ft in the top three gears. The gearbox is the five-speed version already fitted in the 207, which is still a little imprecise in its changes. However, the ratios have been changed for this top-of-the-range hot hatch: first gear has a longer ratio, with the remaining four shortened.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

The suspension – an uprated MacPherson system at the front and a torsion beam on the rear that’s 30% stiffer than the 207 GT – is just right: the ride is firm enough to be sporty but not too crashy around town. The 207’s electric power steering is also fitted to the GTi, but it’s been recalibrated here for greater feedback: the adjustment also means that it doesn’t feel as quick to self-centre as the standard set-up. The GTi is not the thrill machine some might be hoping for and many might feel a sense of disappointment at its lack of hardcore credentials – but in the safety-first environment in which we now live, it was never realistically going to be that. However, it is a great fun drive that will give a lot of pleasure to the 1,000 or so annual UK buyers who will hand over their cash.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 4 stars

French car companies in general don’t do very well in customer satisfaction surveys such as JD Power, with Peugeot finding itself in 22nd position (out of 28) in the league table of manufacturers. The 207 model range doesn’t fare much better: 68th in the table of the 100 most popular cars. However, the 207 GTi’s engine is the result of a collaboration between parent company PSA and BMW, so its credentials suggest it should be a reliable unit. In terms of the car’s build quality, the fit and finish of the car’s exterior seemed fairly sound on our test car, with consistent shut lines and panel gaps across the bodywork. Inside, there are high-quality materials throughout, with leather/Alcantara seats and Alcantara trim on the doors. The materials in the cabin also suggest quality, with textured plastics used on the dashboard and console, and chrome trims on the dials.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

The 207 GTi features a new innovation, a Steering Stability Program (SSP), which links the standard-fit ESP with the electric power steering to improve stability and shorten the straight line stopping distance. The system applies more braking power to the wheels with good grip and applies torque to the steering to help the driver keep the car stable. It differs from an ABS system, which limits braking of the wheels with good grip to give priority to vehicle control, instead reducing braking distances by between 4% and 10% while still maintaining straight-line vehicle stability. The 207 GTi shares the double-impact absorption system of the rest of the range and also has six airbags – two front, two side and two curtain – as standard. It therefore shares the 207’s EuroNCAP scores of five stars for occupant protection, four stars for child protection and three stars for pedestrian protection.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The driving position in the 207 GTi is excellent, thanks to a very comfortable figure-hugging bucket seat and a steering wheel that’s both reach- and rake-adjustable. There’s enough room in the back for two adults, with decent amounts of leg- and headroom, but it is a B-segment hatchback, so don’t expect too much if you’re sat behind a six foot-plus driver. There’s an adequate 270 litres of bootspace, which is the same as a VW Polo, but less than the Corsa or new Fiesta. In terms of standard equipment, there’s a CD/radio, leather/Alcantara interior trim, electric windows and climate control. For an extra £1,000 there’s a GTi Pack Plus, which includes tinted rear windows, rear parking aid, cruise control, folding mirrors, tyre pressure sensor, automatic lights and wipers. Further options include an upgraded JBL hi-fi, Bluetooth and another package of sat nav, phone, hi-fi and ‘fragrance diffuser’.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Fuel economy is good for a hot hatch, with a claimed combined figure of 39.2mpg. CO2 emissions are pretty much what you’d expect for a small performance car at 171g/kg, putting it in road tax Band E, which means you’ll be forking out £170 a year. The GTi is also likely to be fairly costly to insure, too: with a Group 15 classification, you’ll need a few years’ no-claims bonus and have to live in a relatively crime-free postcode in order to get a reasonable quote. There’s a three-year warranty and servicing is required every two years or 20,000 miles. The base price is also pretty reasonable for the segment and the demand for the car should mean that residuals should be good when it’s time to grow up and part-ex it for a sensible family car.

Submitted: 26/03/2009 11:14:44

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