Peugeot Expert Tepee

Peugeot Expert Tepee

How much?	£22,557
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	1997cc four-cylinder turbodiesel, 120bhp @ 4000rpm, 225lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Performance:	13.0sec 0-62mph, 99mph, n/a mpg, n/a g/km CO2
How heavy / made of?	1744kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	5135/2194/1980

The Tepee? Has Peugeot hung out with Skoda for too long? Too many scout jokes for my liking!

Yes, yes. Ignore the silly name, and you have another of the growing breed of vans being geared up for carrying bodies not builders. Ford has been doing it for years with the Transit, but Peugeot is now getting in on the act with the Expert Tepee. Think of it as an MPV+. A people carrier for those with too many children to fit into a Renault Grand Espace or a Chrysler Grand Voyager. But can a car driver really stomach driving around in a van every day? Or should the Expert Tepee driver throw a copy of The Sun on the dashboard and wolf-whistle at passing women? Click 'Next' to find out...

So how van-like are we talking here?

Reset your expectations. The Tepee is clearly based on the Expert van - Peugeot isn't kidding anyone here. But it's adapted to have three rows of up to nine seats, accessed through sliding doors on either side and wide-opening front doors. It's easy to clamber in to the front two rows, and the sliding doors are a cinch to open, although they can require a hefty tug to pull shut. Alas, there's no electric operation, unlike on Peugeot's 807 MPV. To clamber into the third row, you'll need only minor gymnastic ability, tumbling the outside mid-row pews forwards, then jumping into the rearmost row. Once installed, each individually adjustable seat in the seven-seater we drove was very comfy even for adults; no cramped benches here. And one big win with the Expert is the ability to carry lots of people AND their luggage; even with nine seats in place, our long-wheelbase version can carry 770 litres (up to the parcel shelf), or a van-like 1239 litres to the roof. Agoraphobes beware. However, there's probably a good reason for Peugeot speccing its press cars as seven-seaters: the nine-seater option (with three rows of three) looks as if it could involve elbowing your fellow passengers in the guts too much for our liking. But we'd need to have a go first before making such a claim.

What's it like inside? I guess it'll stand up to cups of tea and builders' boots?

Oh yes, there's no mistaking the Expert's van origins. The plastics are tough and workmanlike, but it's really not too bad a place to sit. The driver's pew is set high offering a good vista of the road ahead, but we'd prefer more fore-aft adjustment; several drivers at CAR Online were left with aching legs after an hour's driving. You won't skimp on goodies, mind. Our Leisure spec model includes electric front windows, a CD player, air-con and - get this - a rear window demister and wiper. The Tepee is pretty utilitarian as standard, but Peugeot knows that it will have to pamper fecund parents trading up from their school-run MPVs and will offer you sat-nav packages (£1280), ESP (£352) and parking aids (£223). You'll need the latter - the Tepee is pretty big, measuring a multi-storey challenging 4805mm long. And that's the standard wheelbase. Ours was the echoey 5135mm long wheelbase version. But those bluff looks make it easy to slot into parking spaces.

Van-like to look at, van-like to drive?

You got it. But have you driven a modern van recently? Most manufacturers offer commercial vehicles that would humble a hatchback of 30 years ago, laden with the latest common-rail diesel engines and clever suspension tech to cope with heavy loads. So the Expert is a surprisingly handy device, all in all. It steers, stops and goes with impressive ease, although you'll never forget you're in a 1.7-tonne working vehicle. The brakes need a good prod to produce much retardation, but the 120bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel provides a brisk 225lb ft to make acceleration a cinch. We drove ours with all seven seats occupied - and a whole sports team's worth of kit bags - and it still kept up with everything else on the motorway.

Verdict

Our long-wheelbase Expert Tepee cost £22,557, but had a scary four grand of extras fitted, denting much of its perceived value. But let's face facts - you won't consider one of these as a proper MPV alternative unless you need the extra space and ability to carry nine passengers and lots of luggage. If you regularly lug bodies and bags galore, the Expert is definitely worth a look. And if you spend idle hours hanging around at railway stations picking up a fare, you'll be able to afford some nice extras to disguise its van origins.

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Peugeot 4007

Peugeot 4007

How much?	£22,790
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	2178cc four-cylinder turbodiesel, 156bhp @ 4000rpm, 285lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, four wheel drive
Performance:	9.9sec 0-62mph, 124mph, 38.6mpg, 194g/km
How heavy / made of?	1825kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	4640/1800/1710

Another 4x4? Just what the world needs...

Are the Europeans displaying poor timing by jumping on the 4x4 bandwagon just as the environmental question is ratcheting up to new heights? Perhaps, but there’s no denying the popularity of the segment and Ford, Vauxhall and the French can’t afford to ignore this potentially lucrative market. Hence the glut of 4x4s making the leap from motor show stands to a showroom near you. The French duo of Peugeot and Citroen has teamed up with Mitsubishi for a shortcut to their first SUVs, the all-but-identical 4007 and C-Crosser. They’re unashamedly based on the Japanese-built Outlander, but have individual family looks inside and out. Welcome then, to Peugeot’s first proper SUV. The double-zero denotes this is a niche product within the line-up (like the sliding door 1007) and it’s designed to cater for a whole category of buyer who previously deserted the French brands for other people’s 4x4s. Allez les véhicules à quatre roues motrices!

It looks very like the Mitsubishi Outlander...

It’s true; although the front has a distinctive style of its own, the giveaway is at the rear, with the sharply angled rear windows and same-again hatchback. But the overall package is pretty distinctive and our black test car looked remarkably slick, once you get used to that huge, gaping shark-mouth grille. One very useful design feature is the split tailgate - Range Rover style - that allows you to lift the smaller top section if you’re just dropping lightweight bags in the boot; if you want full unimpeded access, or fancy staging an improntu picnic, the bottom section folds down in an instant, making it easy to slide in big items.

Is it just like the Outlander to drive?

It’s not dissimilar, as you’d expect. The 4007 is an impressive drive for this type of car, with a really good engine. It only sells in the UK with the latest PSA 2.2 diesel, which provides ample grunt at all speeds and is an admirably hushed installation, with no clatter or vibration. Or indeed much in the way of noise full stop. It's just as well nobody wants a petrol SUV in this class - this diesel's a belter. And it performs strongly, feeling faster than the 9.9sec claim to 62mph suggests. Thank the solid 285lb ft of torque arriving at an early 2000rpm, allowing instant squirts of acceleration past slower traffic. 'Ah, but I bet it handles like a dog,' I hear you say. Again, we were pleasantly surprised. This 4007 actually tackles corners like a hatchback rather than a hunchback - it's remarkably pointy and agile for a 1825kg 4x4. And it rides well, too. Just when you expect it to clunk over a pothole, the suspension soaks it up with a muffled absorbency. Very tidy.

What’s the interior like? Is it Franco-Pacific fusion?

You've got it. There's next to no effort to differentiate the 4007 from its Outlander DNA - the dials, switches, air vents - you name it, they're all pretty much identical. Not that the fuel gauge will move much; the 2.2 HDI averages 38.6mpg while pumping out 194g/km of the bad stuff. That's on our test car's optional 18-inch wheels - stick with the standard rims if you want to trim a few points off those figures for tax reasons. It's a roomy cabin, with plenty of space for five passengers to lounge in acres of head- and legroom. In fact, any SUV haters who are used to family clutter should spend a day or two in a 4007. Roominess is one of the biggest luxuries around, and you won't be short on space in this car. Quality is impressive, and that Japanese build is reassuring. All the switchgear prods, presses and swivels with a confidence-inspiring tactility. Hell, it's a comfortable place to be - not especially stylish, but perfect for the job in hand.

Those rear seats are a joke! It can't be very practical?

Those weird, alien-inspired rear seats lift up from the boot with a bit of careful tugging, prodding and pulling. They're not the simplest pop-up seats we've used (that honour belongs to the Ford S-Max) and they're not the roomiest by a long chalk (step forward, Land Rover Discovery), but this is a pair of honest, part-time pews for occasional lifts on the school run. Or a very rare run back from the pub for desperate mates. At least they fold flat, leaving a roomy boot that's big and easy to load. The split tailgate works well in practice, too, and it's a cinch to fold down the middle-row seats if you need more room.

Peugeot 4007: the verdict

As you can probably tell, we rather liked the 4007. What it lacks in kudos compared with the Land Rover Freelander and BMW X3, it makes up for in competitive pricing, a polished drive and generous kit. Only two models are available: the 2.2 HDI in SE (£22,790) and GT (£25,490) spec. Yes, that's a steephish price, but don't forget an equivalent top-spec Freelander diesel is nearer £30k and the cheapest BM is £28k. You could hold on for a while longer in the hope that Peugeot introduces a smaller engine, but there's no indication of a budget model any time soon. And the Citroen C-Crosser sister car is no cheaper - both French relatives are identically priced (unless you start haggling, of course). Yes, the 4007 was one of 2007's biggest shocks. We didn't have high hopes for Peugeot's first SUV, and they surprised us.

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Peugeot 308 1.6 VHT

Peugeot 308 1.6 VHT

How much?	£15,995
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	1598cc 16v 4cyl, 150bhp @ 5800rpm, 180lb ft @ 1400rpm
Transmission:	Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance:	8.8sec 0-62mph, 133mph, 40mpg, 167g/km CO2
How heavy / made of?	1498kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	4276/1815/1498

Are you sure this is really a new Peugeot?

Yes. Well. Peugeot has this 'feline' design theme going on that buyers lapped up on the 206, a hatchback that sold above its station simply through visual appeal. So last year’s 207 supermini was a development of that style, distinguished by pointier headlights and a massive, ugly grille. The new 308 looks, at first glance, uncomfortably like a 207 that’s had a few strikes of bicycle pump up its exhaust pipe. Perhaps that’s a bit unfair, for there’s no arguing that this is a distinctive design in a world of lower-medium hatchback blandness. It seems quite likely that buyers will lap it up. The 307 before it certainly did well enough, averaging over half a million units a year worldwide and often a top-five player in the UK, despite being as bland as beige wallpaper. The wheelbase of the 308 is identical but a couple of cm extra shoulder and rear legroom have been squeezed out of the interior. There’s still the high-set stance, though it's 12mm lower to the tarmac. It’s wider and longer, too, especially versions higher up the scale that get a longer 'dynamic' snout and pseudo underbody air diffuser at the rear. The cheaper models are more subtle but all have more than their fair share of fussy detail.

So, pretty boy looks on the road, but what's the 308 like inside?

This is one of those few cars where the interior really does live up to the promise. Peugeot has done an impressive job of imbuing the 308 with a sense of quality and individuality. The fascia rolls down from the deep windscreen to give a feeling of spaciousness. It’s soft-touch and elegantly designed, with calculated use of chrome bezels on the vents, instruments and gearlever. It surprised us and feels classy way beyond its class. This thoughtful approach is followed through to the seats, which are well bucketed in all versions with tasteful trimming. There’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and above average tilt and reach adjustment for the wheel, but it still isn’t easy to get the ideal comfortable driving position. Setting the front seat low is tempting but that compromises room in the rear. Space in the back is average, though the high-set back seats help visibility. So does the optional enormous panoramic glass roof.

Didn’t Peugeot used to make great handling cars?

You remember too? Oh for the days of the 205 and 309, we wistfully muse. Well, Peugeot is proud that the 308 is 10 percent stiffer than the 307 but it surely took more than that for this improvement in driving appeal. The platform is fundamentally the same as before, with struts at the front, torsion bars at the rear and anti-roll bars everywhere. The tuning is different, however, and there’s a hydraulic electro-pump for the steering that varies the assistance according to various parameters. It all comes together very well indeed. The 308 steers with precision and a decent amount of feel, diving into corners with an accuracy that inspires confidence and enthusiasm for more. This hatch really can be hurled around any series of tight or open bends with alacrity, yet the suspension never feels stressed, neither too firm nor too roly-poly. It’s remarkably f-u-n! There are some caveats. Wheel sizes vary from 15 inch to a ludicrous 18 inch, and it's noticeable how the ride degrades from 16s to 17s without any tangible improvement in handling. Michelin has developed some special low-rolling resistance tyres for the economy models, though these are not available on the 1.6 THP.

It handles then. Does it have the engines to exploit the opportunities?

This is family car middle ground, so the 308 inevitably has its fair share of middling power units. Apart from the 1.4, which we didn’t drive but we can’t imagine is going to be up to too much. The diesels are all good and you’ve seen them all before in various Peugeots, Citroens and Fords. The turbocharged 150bhp 1.6-litre THP is, for the time being, the most power petrol engine and already available in the 207 or, tweaked, in the 207 GTi and Mini Cooper S. And despite the current propensity for diesel power, this THP proves to be the engine of choice. It’s refined, powerful enough and has a good slug of turbo torque to pull you through the corners and out the other side. A heady 150bhp is no longer a figure to get remotely excited about, yet this version of the 308 is an extremely well balanced machine.

Clean and green?

The combined figure for this model is 40mpg which is admirable for a car with this weight and performance, though the CO2 figure isn’t so smart at 167g/km. Pick the 1.6 HDi diesel instead and you’ll get 60mpg and 125g/km, or even the magic 120g/km for the 90bhp version, which may help in the Congestion Charge avoidance game. Those clever Michelins come into play here, saving 4g/km where it really counts.

So is the 308 going to become the default choice compact family hatch?

Not at these prices. This 1.6 VHT Sport five-door comes in at £15,995, which does make some sense for a 308 with an edge. But a cooking model like the petrol 120bhp 1.6S is £14k, while switching like-for-like with a 110bhp 1.6 diesel incurs a whopping £1500 increment. Peugeot will argue that the 308 is pitched unswervingly at its rivals and prices are directly in line. Maybe so, but these days when dealers are pumping out pre-registered rivals to the Peugeot with three grand off, it will be difficult until the special offers from the French firm kick in.

Verdict

The style may not be to your taste but if that’s the case you are probably in a minority. And those that do buy the 308 simply because they like the look of it will be doubly pleased once they step inside. The interior really is that good. As for old-school 205 enthusiasts, they can at last stop holding their breath. The 308 is finally a mid-sized Peugeot hatch to be (reasonably) excited about. We await the first UK drive and group test with interest...

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Peugeot 207 SW Outdoor

Peugeot 207 SW Outdoor

How much?	£13,275
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	1598cc 16v 4cyl 110bhp@5800rpm, 110lb ft@4000rpm
Transmission:	Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance:	11.7sec 0-62mph, 121mph, 40mpg
How heavy / made of?	na/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	4156/1748/1555

Superminis

From its name I’m guessing this is a successor to the 206 SW

Exactly right. Making an estate version of a supermini might not be a popular pastime for many car companies but Peugeot obviously sees something more than just a challenge in it. The French firm prides itself on offering an estate version of every major model in its range and this is the 207’s. The production SW goes on sale in July but it’s let us put a thinly veiled concept version through its paces already.

How much does it differ from the production version then?

Not much actually. Like the model that’ll hit showrooms this is based on the regular hatchback and the only differences between this and the production car will be cosmetic. Those roof bars will make it as an option but you’ll probably have to buy them in an aluminium colour not the concept's lairy orange. The blue chrome-effect body cladding is also likely to be a casualty in the switch from concept to reality. And that’s a shame because it looks great.

Let’s put it another way then, how does it differ from the hatch?

Again the answer is it doesn’t really. It has the same wheelbase as the hatch and is identical up to the rear wheels. But Peugeot’s engineers have managed to graft-on a new rear end. It’s like a mini facsimile of the 407 SW so there’s the triangular rear window and those funny looking gill things that stretch round the sides from the back lights. The overall effect is sleek and less clumsy looking than the hatch, which looks a bit lumpy in comparison.

What about the ride height? This car seems a bit loftier than the regular 207

Well spotted. It’s actually 20mm higher off the ground, hence the Outdoor moniker. Peugeot is planning to launch a model like this but probably not until about a year or so after the regular model’s gone on sale. Changes are only cosmetic, designed to appeal to people who want to look like they go off-road rather than people who actually do it. So despite the raised ride height and extra body protection it’ll still only be two-wheel drive. A name hasn’t been decided on yet but it’ll probably be Outdoor, like the concept.

What’s it like on the road then?

It might be called a concept but this car is about as real as it comes. On the road it feels very sorted, pretty much like a regular 207. The steering doesn’t feel overly assisted and offers plenty of feel. Only the ride lets it down. This is one of the strengths of the regular car but sticking longer springs and shocks on for the Outdoor version makes it feel fidgety over poor surfaces and the raised centre of gravity increases roll round corners. Our test car was fitted with an 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine which is more adequate than exciting. Other engines available will follow the hatch range so there’ll be the 1.4-litre petrol, 90bhp 1.6-litre and 1.4 and 1.6 turbo diesels. The range topper will have the 150bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the 207 GT.

There must be some benefits though

Well we’re always unconvinced by models that have all the disadvantages of 4x4s with none of the plus points. However Peugeot has been careful to ensure the regular 207 SW has some added value over hatch models. Not only does it have the bigger boot with a lower load lip; the engineers have also worked on the rear seat mechanism. The whole unit is spring loaded so it can be folded down single handedly. And you now get a flat load space without having to lift up the rear seat bases to achieve it.

Verdict

The real SW arrives in July priced at £700 more than the usual hatch. For that buyers will get a car that’s slightly more practical but arguably better looking and undoubtedly a lot less common.

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