Peugeot 4007 Sport XS : EXTREME SPORT

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Peugeot's 4007 Sport XS is no shrinking violet. Steve Walker takes a look.

Compact 4x4s aren't usually the most low key of cars but even in this chrome spangled, body-cladded, flared wheelarch of a market sector, the 4007 from Peugeot stands out. It's gapping maw won't be to everyone's taste but you can't help but gaze at it like a rabbit transfixed by the dental work on an approaching tiger. Then, if you crank the visual impact of the 4007 up a notch or two, you arrive at the 4007 Sport XS special edition version. It's quite a sight.

The 4007 is the result of a partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi from which Mitsubishi gets a PSA 2.2-litre diesel engine for its Outlander 4x4 and Peugeot gets its first ever off-roader. The Peugeot 4007, Mitsubishi Outlander and Citroen C-Crosser are essentially the same car beneath the surface but they do a better job than many platform-shared models of looking different. There's certainly nothing on the market that looks quite like the 4007 and in Sport XS trim, it's marked out still further. All Peugeot 4007 models come powered by the same 2.2-litre HDi diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This unit will generate 156bhp and 380Nm of torque and is even capable of running on a 30 per cent mixture of diesel biofuel without resort to modification. The engine has been modified from that found in the 407 saloon range to offer additional lugging power but much of the basic architecture is the same - which is no bad thing. Optimised for on-road use, the all-wheel drive system on the 4007 is enough to maximise traction on slippery roads and muddy tracks, although those looking to tackle more arduous terrain would be best served looking for a vehicle with a proper low-range transfer case and a little more in the way of overall ground clearance.

"A full bodykit and various chrome styling appendages give the 4007 plenty of street cred"

The 4007's `on-demand' 4WD system enables the driver to select three modes of drive, while on the move. First is `Permanent 2WD', intended for normal tarmac use, with all power directed to the front wheels. In `Automatic 4WD', engine torque is delivered automatically to wheels that require the most traction at any time. Should you find yourself in a sticky situation however, you might need to select `Permanent 4WD'. This set-up splits torque 50:50 between front and rear wheels. The idea of all this technology is to give the 4007 what Peugeot call `the best of both worlds', enabling it to tackle reasonably rough terrain, yet still provide acceptable on-road dynamic behaviour and competitive fuel economy. The Sport XS version of the 4007 takes the extrovert looks of the standard car and bolts on a full sports bodykit. This makes the car appear lower leaner and meaner, as do side bars, wing mirror covers, door handles and a twin exhaust all picked out in chrome. The extended front bumper and rear spoiler are body-coloured with the whole package topped off by a set of 18" alloy wheels. The 4007 also offers plenty of stowage space throughout, with over 20 individual storage compartments. All five rear seats can be folded away easily to provide a flat floor and vast load space of up to 1,686 litres, while the boot capacity is 510 litres when the second row of seats are in use. To help loading items into the huge boot space, there's a split two-piece tailgate. Folded down, the lower section drops the sill by 64mm allowing heavy goods to be easily loaded, while doubling as a handy bench, capable of supporting up to 200kg. The standard 4007 range is comprised of SE and GT versions but the Sport XS model sits between these. The pricing positions it £1,450 above the SE and £1,150 below the GT so it bridges the gap nicely. It comes only in the five-seat configuration but other 4007 models can be specified with a couple of occasional seats in the rear. The equipment list includes a Bluetooth handsfree telephone system. The 2.2-litre HDI engine does an admirable job of allaying the fears prospective 4007 buyers may harbour concerning their environmental impact. This substantial seven-seat 4x4 is never going to tread as lightly on the earth as a tiny citycar but 39mpg and 191g/km carbon dioxide emissions means that at least owners will be able to hold their heads up reasonably high at the Greenpeace AGM. Compact 4x4 buyers don't want for choice in the modern marketplace and standing out from the crowd of alternatives is a tricky task for the various contenders to pull off. You'd have to say that the Peugeot 4007 manages it though and in Sport XS trim it's got attitude to spare. A full bodykit and various chrome styling appendages give the 4007 plenty of street cred and although the looks will be a little over the top for some, this derivative should convince enough buyers to prove a success.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Peugeot 4007 Sport XS
PRICE: £24,695 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 191g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 129mph / 0-60mph 9.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 29.7mpg / (extra urban) 47.8mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4645/1805/1715