Peugeot 207 Cielo Range : LEARNING THE CIELO

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Though the Peugeot lion may roar in 207 GTi form, its still got a bit of a growl if you opt for a 207 Cielo, plus you can let a bit of sky into your life. Jonathan Crouch reports

Much as some of us would like a Peugeot 207 GTi, the upfront price, the insurance rating and the ongoing fuel bills may well act as a significant deterrent. Hence the appeal of Peugeots 207 Sport range and derivatives based on it like the 207 Cielo special editions we look at here.

Cielo is a reference to this cars major feature a particularly large panoramic glass sunroof. Buyers also get metallic paint, a Bluetooth hands-free phone kit and a useful cruise control / speed limiter system. Plus you get all the cosmetic bits youd find on a normal 207 Sport model. So theres Sport front styling with an 'alu' grille and fog lights, body-coloured side rubbing strips, body-coloured door mirrors and door handles, a chrome exhaust extension, alloy wheels, front fog lights and sports front seats. Although one shouldnt read too much into Peugeots claim that the 207 Sport is borne from their three consecutive World Rally Championships, theres no doubt that it is a fun and tidy handler. Cielo version customers get a choice of two 1.4-litre petrol engines, developing either 75 or 95bhp plus theres a choice of three or five-door models.

Prices start at £11,995 for the eight-valve 75bhp model but wed council you to find another £450 for the more modern 1.4 VTi 95bhp engine if you possible can. This represents a customer saving of £550, compared to a 207 Sport model specified with the Cielos features as optional equipment. To compliment the panoramic glass roof, three exterior colours are available Diablo Red, Neysha Blue and Aluminium.

On the road, it is much as you might expect, given the impressive abilities of other cars from the company's stable. The gearchange throw is rather long but the action is reassuringly precise and the brakes instil a good deal of confidence too. The handling? Well, unlike some of its older predecessors, the 207 advances the science no further in this respect - the class standard is already too good for that. Nor, unlike the old 205, is it the kind of car that enthusiasts will find excuses to drive.

The power steering is a little light and the body roll a little too pronounced to really warrant a sporty badge.

"Cielo is a reference to this cars major feature a particularly large panoramic glass sunroof"

Inside, the front seats are very comfortable and appear to give good support. In the rear, as with most vehicles in this sector, the available space is rather limited to the size of the passenger and driver seated in the front. With the front seats fully extended backwards, the space in the back can be a bit restricted. Sitting inside the 207, you can immediately sense that this car is far removed from the old 206 in terms of its quality and elegance.

Plus the 207, even in its most basic trim level, is head and shoulders above its equivalent 206 model in refinement. The elegant centre panel houses all the usual heating, ventilating and audio switches and the binnacle behind the steering wheel features three circular dials, mirroring those usually seen on a motorcycle. The overall effect is very pleasing and gives the impression of a very up-market product. One touch we especially liked was a fragrance diffuser which is discreetly incorporated into the fascia panel and dispenses one of seven selectable fragrances to keep the interior of your 207 smelling sweetly.

Each fragrance has been specially developed by a leading French perfume supplier. More importantly, safety has been designed into the 207 and the car has earned a five star rating from the EuroNCAP tests. The 207s front end contains two impact absorption structures borrowed from the 407 that distribute impact energy more efficiently in the event of a collision. Sill reinforcements and tubular bars in the doors aid structural rigidity.

Numerous airbags are installed in the 207 and the front two adaptive airbags have a dual-generator function that can vary their pressures according to the severity of the impact. All 207s are fitted with two 3-point Isofix mountings in the rear outer seats, each of which can accommodate a childs Isofix car safety seat. As long as youre not expecting lowered suspension, beefed up brakes and a whole host of interior upgrades like sports seats and leather trim, the Peugeot 207 Cielo shouldnt disappoint. Its not what youd even dub a warm hatch but the basic 207 shape sill looks pert even after a couple of years on the market and the Cielos smart sunroof and alloy wheels coupled with the 207s aggressive front end give it a bit of visual pizzazz.

Although the quote from your insurance company may well prove the high point of 207 Cielo ownership, many will love its blend of sassy styling, affordability and tried and tested engineering.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Peugeot 207 Cielo range
PRICES: £11,995-£13,045 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 3-4
CO2 EMISSIONS: 145-150g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.4 8v] 0-60mph 15.6s / Max Speed 104mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4 8v] (urban) 33.6mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 44.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4030/1720/1472