2004 saw the debut of the Peugeot 407 Saloon and Peugeot 407 SW, launched to widespread acclaim for their bold, elegant styling and sporting dynamics, particularly for road holding efficiency. The Peugeot 407 Saloon received its World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show and the Peugeot 407 SW extended the appeal with versatility for its occupants in the summer of the same year. They added their success to the long history of the Peugeot '4' series which started with the 401 back in 1934.
They also introduced a touch of style into a segment based around traditional yet conventional saloon and estates, designed with just volume and practicality in mind.
Peugeot based the design of the 407 around a number of core customer motoring values: styling and technology, driver involvement in both the Saloon and SW models, with the versatility of the SW particularly well suited to leisure pursuits for both families and business activities.
One of the main attractions of the Peugeot 407 Saloon and Peugeot 407 SW is their feline appearance. The forward positioned and inclined front windscreen, bold rear design and large wheels give the car its remarkable personality.
Characterised by an ever more distinctive design at the front, with an air intake that fits perfectly both in terms of technical performance and its bold design, it provides the Peugeot 407 with its overall dynamic image.
Its dynamic characteristics, including exceptional road holding, are the result of a number of technical developments, benefiting both ride and handling.
These characteristics were enhanced in 2006 with two advanced engines - the 2.7-litre V6 HDi FAP and the dynamic efficiency of the 2.2-litre HDi FAP dual-turbo.
Meanwhile, in November 2005, a third body style was created: the Peugeot 407 Coupe.
With its elegant and distinctive appearance, this new model fitted perfectly into the contemporary Grand Tourer mould due particularly to its exceptional road holding.
In recognition of its distinctive style and numerous qualities, the Peugeot 407 has gone on to win many awards in Europe, including being voted 'Car of the Year' in Spain, the Middle East and Gulf countries.
By the end of April 2008, 753,741 Peugeot 407s, driven in 130 countries, had been manufactured at the Rennes plant; the production centre for vehicles built on PSA Peugeot Citroën Group's 'platform 3', with:
487,676 Saloons
236,529 SWs
29,536 Coupés
In total, 77% are powered by HDi diesel engines, a figure which has risen to 86% after the first four months of 2008.
Asked why they chose the Peugeot 407, customersin the main European countries say firstly that they were attracted by the style, well ahead of the segment average (double in some countries), followed by comfort and the high levels of standard equipment.
The environmental qualities of the Peugeot 407 are, logically, cited in countries more sensitive to this key factor.
The new Peugeot 407
The Peugeot 407 has an elegance that truly stands out in its segment, in keeping with the Peugeot 207 and Peugeot 308.
Its excellent resale value and reliability are combined with competitive running costs, as confirmed by surveys carried out recently in Germany.
In terms of handling it excels, combining active safety, driving involvement and comfort of a high level.
Incorporating the very best technical solutions, this recognised expertise will be referred to as Peugeot Road Touch Tech in communications to the general public.
This summer however, in anticipation of customer expectations, Peugeot strengthens the appeal of this model by raising its status even more. The new Peugeot 407 has enhanced fundamental features of the 407 that are key sources of enjoyment for its users.
Subtle visual improvements updating a design that is just as dynamic and bold as before but now features more in terms of elegance, robustness and high quality, both externally and internally.
New enhanced comfort equipment increasing the appeal of the different versions by offering even greater specification and well-being to its occupants, particularly onboard temperature control and new telematics systems.
New equipment like front parking assistance enhances the car's world-wide reputation for ease of driving and dynamic performance.
It is available with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines featuring the latest technology, particularly on the HDi Diesel versions, the most popular engine specified in the Peugeot 407.
These include an uprated 2.0-litre HDi engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox which develops a power of 103 kW (140bhp), an increase of 3kW (4bhp). It also benefits from a fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100km (42.0mpg) and CO2 emissions reduced to 150g/km. This engine is approved in accordance with future Euro 5 regulation standards. This new specification testifies Peugeot's ongoing commitment to achieve the best possible environmental performance on the new Peugeot 407.
For example, after the standard fitment of an additive-enhanced diesel particulate filter system (FAP) on HDi Diesel powered 407s and following the introduction of the 1.6-litre HDi FAP engine (110bhp), particularly well suited as a fleet vehicle thanks to its low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (only 140g/km for the Saloon and SW), a new 2.0-litre 'Bioflex' engine operates on E85 fuel and will be available for destinations where road tax incentives favour biofuels, with their environmental benefits.
To summarise, Peugeot has seized a great opportunity during the summer of 2008, to strengthen the appeal among motoring enthusiasts with the attractive new Peugeot 407 in the Saloon, SW and Coupé versions.
Upgrades to exterior style
At the front, the new Peugeot 407 Saloon and Peugeot 407 SW models benefit from a redesigned air intake. This important stylistic signature has been improved in terms of visual quality and elegance, but also has a stronger and more technically refined appearance.
Lateral black components adopt a new design that blends harmoniously with the lines of the transverse black beam. A new delicately curved grille rounds off the air intake assembly. It consists of a triple row of horizontal chrome bars crossed by a vertical chrome bar. Their cross section and inclination capture the light, adding presence to the grille and making mechanical assemblies more opaque without adversely affecting their cooling performance.
To protect the car from knocks and provide even more convenience to Peugeot 407 owners, front parking assistance system has been added to the rear parking assistance. As a result, the front bumper now discreetly incorporates the four sensors that gather information for the system.
The centrepiece of elegance and distinction of the entire range, the body protection mouldings are finished in body colour and accompanied with a chrome trim finisher.
The rear of the new Peugeot 407 Saloon draws inspiration from the natural sporting personality of the Coupé and its individual character.
The entirely redesigned new lower rear panel incorporates a protective capping decorated by a chrome bead. The lower part with its elaborate 'diffuser' adds to the car's dynamism, while the upper part of this new lower rear panel forms the basis of a redesigned boot sill.
This new shape of the lower rear panel accentuates the robust image of the rear of the Peugeot 407 Saloon while at the same time improving quality of style, due to the reduced clearances and the integration of four rear parking assist sensors in the bumper itself, making them particularly discreet.
The rear lights are entirely redesigned and add a new touch of originality by day and by night. With a ruby red housing and a crystal white finish on the reversing light and direction indicator, the daytime look appears noticeably different.
By night, the reflector function now moves from the lights to the 'diffuser' in the form of two small horizontal bars on either side of the registration plate.
The new volume of the lights, their transparent red reflector with chrome surround and peripheral textured finish, improve the quality appearance due to the high quality production procedure.
The rear of the new Peugeot 407 SW is also enhanced stylistically with a new lower rear panel and new lights.
The new rear volume is aligned harmoniously with the front of the SW. This enhances the effect of a monolithic sculpture and adds to the image of robustness and its high quality finish, which ensures flush-fitting components and minimal clearances, meticulous in every detail.
The new shape of the lower rear panel has a more pronounced curve, and gives a new visual identity to the rear design, which now incorporates edge protection mouldings enhanced with a chrome trim finisher, as well as recessed parking assistance sensors. In the lower section, its discreet diffuser effect adds a further touch of dynamism.
The new rear lights, in the upper section, exhibit a pronounced diode effect similar to that of the Peugeot 407 Coupé. The new reflector has a red lacquered finish giving the car a refined visual appeal by day. A collimator baffle with multiple prisms directs light to 'drop' zones where it is then diffused. In the lower light section, the reflector zone rotates elegantly.
External dimensions
Developments in style have resulted in a slight increase to the rear overhang, which sees the Saloon retain an overall length of less than 4.70m:
Saloon: 4691mm (+15mm)
SW: 4765mm (+2mm)
Other dimensions are unchanged and add to the aesthetic and dynamic balance of both versions.
Upgrades to interior style
The luxurious passenger compartment of the Peugeot 407 features new decorations and trim, creating an upmarket elegant atmosphere in a new execution that enhances perceived quality.
A spectacular 'lustrous pearlescent black' decoration similar to the finish on a high quality piano decorates the centre console, air vent trims, door handle inserts and door panel trims, creating a visual link between the door panels and the fascia panel. This enhances the ambience of the passenger compartment and is underlined by 'Square' metallic or 'Carmin burl' wood finishes on the Saloon and SW or an 'Alcane Grey' trim on the Peugeot 407 Coupé.
Entry level versions feature an 'iridescent (light affected) dark grey' decoration on the centre console and a 'silver satin' trim on the fascia panel and door panel mouldings.
Even more chrome
Accompanying these improvements are new rotary buttons and circular controls on the air conditioning, radio and telematics equipment have chrome surrounds, as do the control pads of the new satellite navigation system (see section entitled 'interior communication') and the CD player.
New trims
Adding significantly to the elegance and comfort of the passenger compartment and complementing the specification and style of different versions, the seats are available with high-quality cloth or leather trims.
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