PEUGEOT 407 test drive since 2004 sedan

The art of everyday life

This machine does not want to squeeze in any way into the formal framework of the concept of a utilitarian station wagon. Put in the living room and admire, not carry potatoes.

 

This machine does not want to squeeze in any way into the formal framework of the concept of a utilitarian station wagon. Put in the living room and admire, not carry potatoes. However, what kind of potatoes can we talk about? In the worst case, this car will be acquired by the owner of a remote phase for transporting outdoor accessories or passive rest. And even completely sprinkles, and the owner-eSTET will transport one air alone around the city in an extensive trunk.

 

Awesome device. More swimmer of the arrow! In the competition for the most dynamic silhouette, Peugeot 407 SW would have furnished a good half of the existing supercars. The windshield flowing into the hood, faceted thresholds, a relatively short rear overhanx and a long front create the image of a ruthless cutter of the lower layers of the atmosphere. Extremely and at the same time evil looks a back stand with a negative inclination. Yes, you can recall many cars with a similar element at least an ancient Citroen ami, at least fresh Toyota Picnic and Mercedes-Benz of the previous A-class. But those cars lacked the dimensions, scope, so that such architecture of the body acquired aesthetics and harmony.
 

It could be assumed that the benefit fell on the altar of the form what happened, for example, with the Sport-Wagon station wagon based on the 156th Alpha. But no. The geometry of the doorway, the trunk container and its internal organization are all at the proper level. Even more. Separately opening glass of the door is already boring? So at 407 SW it rises with a piece of roof! It is convenient for manipulations with light packages in close parking and for the transportation of long -meters. In the latter case, the back of the right front armchair, leaning forward, will come in handy.
 
The junior station wagon 307 SW became famous for its glass roof. In 407 SW it is even more impressive: 1.6 square meters! Well, the price of this option is not true. But she gives passengers extraordinary, spatial, sensations. For the rear passengers, the issue of space is just relevant: how the sedan did not please freedom for the legs, so the car does not please it either. The car turned out to be long, and inside it is more closely than many golf-class hatchbacks.
 
Apparently, the entire length went into the nose of a real French nose, noticeable from afar. It seems that it is easy for them to hook various obstacles, and the dimensions of the front line, not visible from the place of the driver, only reinforce these fears. However, in return, you get a lot: the increased chances of getting out of the accident whole and unharmed. A one and a half meter-absorbing zone of an ultramodern design provides reliable protection in frontal clashes, the proof of which is a handful of stars collected by Peugeot 407 at EURONCAP Crash tests.

 

The capabilities of the 1.8-liter motor in such a heavy body are limited. There is little traction below, which is why the car is easy to drown out at the start. The engine comes to life after 4500 rpm, but long gearboards lubricate this pickup. On the other hand, only this motor is combined with a conventional hydraulic wiper, which provides an ideal feeling of a car. The machine behaves perfectly on straight segments and in gentle turns, but sizes begin to work in steep against it. In addition, the car passes through irregularities quite harshly, and if the small relief is extinguished with a suspension, then large asphalt chcherbins inevitably cause trembling the body. However, the sensations of cheap Kostotryaska do not arise, which is facilitated by the silent work of the suspension and a high -quality assembly of the salon, which did not make a single sound, and generally a high level of sound insulation.

  

To argue that Peugeot 407 SW is the most rational purchase will be reckless. For the same or almost the same money, there are cars faster, more comprehensive and practical. But they are all tiringly rational, and Peugeot Peugeot is remarkable in that art itself brings art itself in a wiped everyday life.



The car is provided for the test company Concord.
 
Autography
Peugeot 407 SW
Predecessor
406 Break (1996)
Prototype
407 Elixir (2003)
Platform
Citroen C5
Premiere
march 2004
Body
universal
Engines
1.6-2.9 l (106-211 p.)
Production
France
Expected replacement
2011
 

Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Vsevolod Konovalov
 
 
 
   
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 88/2005]