PEUGEOT 807 test drive since 2002 minivan

Model No. 807

Impeccable style - this is the main feature of the minivan from Peugeot
 
It seems that more recently, at the Spring Geneva Motor Show, this magnificent four was first presented - Lancia Phedra, Fiat Ulysse, Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807. All of them are created on a single platform and are the fruits of cooperation between the French Alliance PSA and the Italian FIAT. And now one of these new products, in my subjective opinion - the most stylish one, entered the Russian market. True, it will be necessary to take a closer look at Citroen C8, which, as far as is known, will also appear in Russia. As for Italian children, they either will not have them at all, or they will have to wait long. And the Peugeot 807 was good, and gave a lot of pleasant minutes.
 
Special charm
 
If I knew what was waiting for me in Krylatsky, I would probably have rushed there immediately. So no, buried with heat, I hastened only to climb into the salon and turn on the separate climate control system, setting the temperature regime at +19. And then, cooling down, he began to slowly consider the interior, reasoning to himself - how exquisitely the French are able to embody the most original ideas. So in the 807th, advanced design is best cooked with solidity and comfort.
 
Pleasant to the touch and in the opinion of the suede sheathing, expensive black plastic, chromium and leather lever of a 5-speeded checkpoint, a cozy seat with a wide range of adjustments and a comfortable steering wheel, moving and horizontally, and vertically. But the exclusivity of the style is not even this, but in how the internal space is compiled, how the devices and controls are located. In my opinion, it is done perfectly! Right behind the steering wheel is a small panel with a miniature screen and light indicators under an elegant visor. The dials of the main devices - a tachometer, speedometer and indicator of the fuel level and coolant temperature - on the right, in the center of the torpedo, are also covered with a visor. A pleasant light green color, they look very modern, while recalling devices that were in fashion another 50 years ago. This, you see, must be able to do it. In general, such a panel has recently been found more and more often and, in my opinion, is very convenient: the eyes are actually less distracted from the road, the rim of the steering wheel, under any circumstances, does not interfere with the monitoring speed of the engine speed. Under the instruments - another small window of the display. But there is a third - the main one - the screen located to the right of the lever of the gearbox, which, in turn, is also placed at the bottom of the torpedo, close to the steering column. And I liked it.
 
What else is there? A radio receiver with a CLARION CDs player. The greenish window, which opened which I found a sign prohibiting smoking. So there is no ashtray? There is, only lower, where the cup holder. To get to it, you need to click on the plate next to the cigarette lighter. And between the front seats, unusually empty, there is not even a familiar lever of a hand brake. It turns out that he is to the left of the driver. At hand - covered with lids compartments for CDs and all sorts of pockets and recesses for small objects.
 
I examined everything, can I go on? Not yet, it is not a sin to explore the back of the cabin in coolness. I could not imagine that he was waiting for me in Krylatsky. Therefore, again - leisurely, I turn my chair 180 degrees (the front passenger can do the same), and pretend whether it will be conveniently sitting from behind. Very soon I come to the conclusion - it will be. Four chairs in two rows, each - with armrests in this version of the car, are located to a pleasant road. The tables mounted in the front seats are quite suitable in order to place, say, a portable computer or paper. That is - a business class. Passengers have the opportunity to independently adjust the temperature in their interior with a special switch. More precisely, agree with the choice of the driver, transferring a round lever to the Auto position, or simply turn off the air supply, transferring it to position 0. Nearby is the button of the electric (!) Drive that opens and closes the rear doors. The same function is available to the driver, for which on the ceiling, next to the stand for glasses, there are two buttons - for the left and right rear door. Moreover, the doors are hospitable, which, by the way, provide a convenient landing, can also be from the keychain. If you need to place a solid baggage in the car, the third row of seats can be folded or completely removed, and I will cover the luggage under a special curtain. All rear windows are tinted, each has the same special curtain-skeleton. In a word, inside the Peugeot 807 is quite comfortable.
 
Looking ahead, I will say that the appearance of this minivan attracts attention on the road. In general, the smooth contours of the body, emphasized by sharp details, create a feeling of swiftness and solidity at the same time. The front part vaguely resembles the flagship of the company - Peugeot 607, but thanks to some strokes it looks original. The chrome door handles proudly gleam in the sun, feed with unusual lighting technology does not look heavy, and the proprietary emblem and the chrome strip over the license plate bring additional diversity to the exterior. In general - fresh, pleases the eye.
 
Cherche la femme
 
Honestly, I did not know who was waiting for me on the banks of the Moscow River, next to the rowing channel. Otherwise, I would have hurried. On the other hand, it is good that it turned out as it turned out, but at first I launched the motor, noticing that the side mirrors opened automatically. They are equipped with an electric drive, they can be folded by pressing a special button. As soon as I rolled out of the parking lot, I was in a dense stream on Leninsky Prospekt. An unpleasant squeak made the safety belt fasten - do not do it, the computer will not be tired of reminding. The nose of the car is not visible at all, so you have to quickly get used to the dimensions. High landing and huge windshield allow you to observe what happens not only near the machine, but to see far ahead.
 
The test got a version with a gasoline power unit with a volume of 2.2 liters and a capacity of 158 liters. With. I must say that even for such, in general, not a small car, this is more than enough. Although the gearbox lever seemed to me somewhat crazy, there were no problems with choosing the right transfer. Acceleration is confident, and if the tachometer arrow is lower than the mark of 3.5 thousand rpm, then in the cabin there is silence and peace. Only at high speeds you begin to hear the sound of the exhaust system. Incidentally, the dynamics of Peugeot 807 is practically not inferior to good cars. And the steering is very good - the car is sensitive. The suspensions, perhaps, are exactly what the car should be in the car: the rolls are noticeable in corners, but not critical, but shaking - no.
So, I’m going on this front -wheel drive compact minivan, I don’t bother anyone, thinking about whether to turn off the ESP stabilization system for me, or not, when suddenly a Volga appears ahead completely inappropriately. Her driver decided to turn left from the second row, not bothering himself with the inclusion of the corresponding signal, and the rear lights warning of braking may never have worked on that machine. That there is strength to give on a brake pedal, responding with a small and barely noticeable tremor from the worked out ABS. Fortunately, the steering and the suspension allowed and in braking to perform an elegant rearrangement to the right, without the slightest hint of ski. But, it seems, a suitable place for shooting.
 
Stopping a couple of times, I finally got to Krylatsky. I admit, I like to call here for photo shoots: there are no cars, no one bothers. And now - he chose a suitable place, walked away a couple of tens of meters, and froze with a camera in his hands. No, it was not a girl, not a fashion model - this is a nymph, sunbathing without the upper part of the swimsuit. It seemed to me, it was not worried about worldly conventions when she rose and confidently went to the car. True, seeing the camera, she spoke: please, without a photo. You can just look at the car. I have Peugeot 406, and I'm interested. I sincerely said so, do I feel sorry for? Create in the salon, the motor works, and the climate control supports the specified +19. Good? As a result, I did a couple of pictures, but at the same time I received a phone number. We do not publish these photos, of course, due to the seriousness of the publication in which liberties are unacceptable.
 
Oh, you, the vault! - I thought affectionately about Peugeot 807, returning to the interior of the official dealer ...
 
Instead of the afterword
 
The PEUGEOT 807 has plenty of competitors (not in the sense of attracting the attention of pretty girls, of course) - this is the VW Caravelle, Renault Scenic, Opel Zafira, and Mitsubishi Space Wagon and other more or less capacious non -accommodation. In the minivan from Peugeot, with its small sizes, five people can comfortably accommodate, not counting the driver, or six - if you order a car not with chairs, but with sofas behind. Well, of course, the style is also a significant argument that begins to have weight in the Russian market. The price is about $ 41,000, the guarantee is three years, which is also important.
 
... How to make this newspaper’s number does not catch my eye of my current girlfriend?
  
Brief technical characteristics of Peugeot 807 2.2
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 2231
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 158/5650
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 217/3900
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: N. D.
Maximum speed, km/h: 196
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 9.7
Fuel tank volume, l.: 80
Dimensions, mm.: 4730x1850x1750
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 14 (17), 2002]