Lion Adds Flex Appeal

By Ben Whitworth

17th March 2005

As well as a five-seat option, there will be a version of the seven-chair set-up currently available in the 307 SW estate. That car features a pair of occasional rear seats which fold out from the floor of the boot. The 2007's cabin could also get a Meriva-style sliding rear bench. This enables the central chair of the second row of seats to be folded away to free up more space for passengers in the back.

While Peugeot's new people carrier will share its platform and the majority of parts with the 207, our sources say it will be bigger in all dimensions. This extended design will create more room for the third row of seats. The 2007 will also feature an advanced curtain airbag system that will protect all seven occupants in the event of an impact.

As with the 1007, the 2007 will be marketed as a more prestigious car than the model on which it is based. That means prices for entry-level variants will be well above that of the 207, starting at around ΂£10,000.

The 2007 will be powered by revised versions of the current Peugeot petrol and turbodiesel engine line-up. Insiders have told us that the company expects the punchy 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi oil-burner to be the top seller.

The new car also disproves initial reports that all future models in the '007' range will come with the electric sliding doors first seen the 1007.