Peugeot 207SW

At school back in the 1970s, I used to be the tallest girl in my class. Now my daughter and her friends tower over me. We are breeding a race of giants and I think it’s down to all the growth hormones added to beefburgers! In reality, the trend is that since the 1960s human beings are bigger due in part to a greater interest in healthy living (muscle and height gain) and the other part, a rise in obesity cases.

As a result, car manufacturers have had to build bigger cars and every launch I go on, the new car is wider, taller or longer. People want and need bigger cars, so the new Peugeot 207SW will be a popular choice.

As with every other car, the new 207 which went on sale in July this year, has an increase in the overall length which provides more interior space. The load area will carry 118 more litres than the 207 hatchback and if you need a larger space, then the rear seats fold automatically to form a totally flat load area.

There is more head and leg room in the rear of the cabin as the height is 55mm over that of the hatchback.

The SW completes the 207 range and is introduced just eleven months after the launch of the hatchback. There are already 58,000 207s on UK roads and priced from £11,340 with great versatility and stylish design it is a popular car.

Standard equipment on all models is very impressive and includes electric front windows – one touch for the driver, steering column adjustment for both reach and rake, radio/single CD player, seat height adjustment, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, manual air conditioning, front fog lights, and aluminium roof bars. A full length Cielo glass panoramic roof makes the cabin very light and airy and there is an electric sunblind if any spot of sunshine dares to show its face. For those loading and unloading goods all day, the tailgate glass which can be opened independently of the tailgate will be a useful feature.

Continuing the large list of standard equipment are the safety features - driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, remote control central locking with deadlocks, ABS with EBFD and EBD.

There are four engine options, two diesel and two petrol engines. A new 1.4 litre VTi 95bhp petrol engine shows its face for the first time on the new 207SW. With CO2 emissions of 153g/km and combined fuel consumption of 44.1 mpg the estate car will be a popular choice with company car drivers. 70% will be sold to the fleet market. Of the diesel engines the 1.6 litre has a whopping combined fuel consumption of 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions are 125g/km.

All the engines will be fitted with a manual five speed gearbox and the 1.6 litre 120bhp petrol engine is also available with an automatic gearbox.

No matter whether you’re a shorter child of the 70s or a strapping hulk from the 80s, the Peugeot 207SW is large and versatile enough to accommodate most bodies.

Facts at a Glance
Model: Peugeot 207SW
Price: From £11,340
Engine Options: 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol, 1.6 litre and 1.6 litre DPFS diesel
Performance: 1.4 litre petrol - 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 115mph
Combined fuel consumption: 44.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 153g/km

By Sue Cooke