PEUGEOT 407 test drive since 2004 sedan

Lions are able to save

Diesel engines are suitable for a wide variety of cars from station wagons to sportskup, the French say, demonstrating the updated Peugeot 407, and at the same time celebrating the production of a 50 millionth machine. On models, separated by half a century, Sergey Kanunnikov traveled. Photo by the author and Peugeot.

By Russian standards, an incomprehensible car! A leather interior, all options, even a sports combination of devices with white dials and a 1.6-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 110 hp! Such machines in Europe, which is more thoroughly counting fuel expenses and taxes, are in demand. Let's try to solve the soul of a European?
In search of harmony
A light restyling touched the clador of the radiator, the decor of the body and partly the cabin. For an ordinary consumer, it is more important that the sensors of parking sensors were added not only in the stern, but also on the front bumper. For a car with a characteristic beak, the option is not at all harmful.
For Russians, it is even more significant that the gamut of Peugeot-407 modifications will apparently replenish the station wagon and even a version with a diesel engine. They were already trying to sell them several years ago in Russia, but then the cars did not find demand. For the rest of the world, the diesel-407 diesel (in 130 countries have already implemented more than 760,000 copies) are much more familiar than gasoline. The latter choose only 12% of buyers. It is not surprising that in the range of engines, along with five gasoline - five diesel engines. Trying to understand their pros and cons, tested two.
A characteristic roar outside is more audible than inside. On acceleration, I perceive this sound as a logical accompaniment of decent acceleration (I remind you: 1.6 l, 110 hp!). At the cruising speed, the tire is drowned out by the sound of the motor. Nothing unpleasant! Alas, to quit the clutch and move without pressing the gas pedals, as the diesel engines that have become museum exhibits allowed, today it is impossible. Motors built taking into account environmental restrictions at the start require a click on the accelerator. But then everything happens solidly, confidently, powerfully. The motor pulls a spacious sedan very convincingly. It is not surprising: the 1.6-liter unit loses 1.8-liter gasoline 15 hp, but it develops its 110 forces at 4000 rpm (gasoline at 6000). And the moment of the first 260 N. M is already at 1750 rpm, for the gasoline opponent 170 N. M at 3750 rpm. For the most popular modes of movement of the city, suburban diesel, it is more convenient.
The car is so fun that slippery leather seats are annoyed without noticeable lateral support, unsuitable for quick turns. The suspension is just enough to confidently control the dynamic machine, but provides excellent comfort. Add a spacious, tasted salon.
Amazing nearby
Most likely, cars with a 2-liter diesel engine will be supplied to Russia. The mentality does not accept a smaller volume! By car with such a motor and a six -speed gearbox, it was also possible to travel. True, for our understanding, the choice is an unusual compartment. But for Europeans, a two -door elegant car and diesel concept are quite compatible.
Of course, to the dynamics of such a machine, the requirements are higher. Although, of course, this Peugeot is not at all sports, but a tourist (in the classical sense of a two -door, dynamic, but roomy and comfortable) car. The suspension seems to be a little tougher than that of the sedan, but it does not turn the compartment into Kostotryas at all. The squat, an elegant silhouette goes well with an elegant, albeit not a chic interior. The tissue seat with developed sidewalls liked much more than a leather one.
What about the motor? It is quite consistent with an elegant, rapid appearance. Very decent acceleration (according to a passport less than 10 s to 100 km/h), excellent traction at medium speeds. And on the highway, having reached the permitted speed in the sixth gear (it is practically not needed outside the highway), the consumption of diesel fuel can be kept near the mark of 5 l/100 km. The tank in this mode is enough for about 1200 km! In the city of Peugeot 407 will meet 7 liters. In general, the French say: in order to enjoy a spectacular, squat compartment, it is not necessary to share with the owners of the gas stations!
What is the minus? In France, diesel machines are approximately 2000 euros more than similar gasoline. Probably, we will come out about the same. They promise that the price of Peugeot 407 will increase slightly (now from 645,000 rubles), but the basic equipment will be richer.
Given the difference in the cost of gasoline and diesel machines, fuel costs depending on the annual mileage, it is easy to calculate which car is more profitable, and most importantly, it is more convenient for you. Of course, there are purely individual emotional arguments, which each of us, of course, has the right. _x0008_
PEUGEOT 407 with a diesel engine of French lions does not at all manage the savings: a fact that is ready to confirm in Russia.
Feast of millionaires
One of the oldest companies in the world where cars have been being built since 1890, celebrated the publication of a 50 millionth copy. They became the universal Peugeot 308SW.
The company honors its story. The rich museum does not accommodate everything that the company has. In the storage of the so -called reserve of about 300 (!) Machines: serial, waiting for the lines for restoration, rare, made by small circulations, prototypes built in a single copy.
The company took an unusual step in honor of the holiday rolled out a line of historical models to reporters. On cars released from the beginning of the twentieth century to the Second World War, they were allowed to travel only by a passenger, and on the post -war ones at the wheel!
It is interesting to trace how the cars of the 400th series ancestors of the current 407th have changed. Peugeot-403 of 1961 (the model was produced in 19551965) in size between the Volga GAZ-21 and Moskvich-407. A sedan with a 58-horsepower engine and a four-speed gearbox, compared with domestic peers, was surprised by comfort, a lack of vibrations, and light governing bodies. A good dynamics for those years, surprisingly effective and understandable brakes. The most important from modern positions is the disadvantage of the validity of the bends in combination with the smeared steering.
The next model Peugeot 404 (19611972), equipped with a 68-horsepower engine, noticeably left the previous in all respects. In turns, it is much more clearly. Comfort is already comparable to the 24th Volga of the early 1970s. True, the salon is ascetic, and the appearance, although the studio of Pinfarin was created, gives out the beginning of the 1960s. But the 404th had two-door modifications of the coupe and convertible.
Sergey Kanunnikov
 

 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"