Peugeot 307 1.4 PETROL RANGE
We Know The
Peugeot 307 Makes A Fine Fist Of The Family Hatch Act, But Are The Entry Level Petrol Versions Up To Scratch? Andy Enright Reports
Headline-grabbing GTi hatches have always been something of a pet project for Peugeot. Whilst many would have auctioned body parts to get behind the wheel of a 106 Rallye, a 205 GTi or a 306 GTi-6, development of these flagship models was often to the detriment of the basic versions. Peugeot aim to demonstrate with the 307 range that a bottom-up approach is the way to go.
Although the majority of UK sales will be gobbled up by the 1.6-litre variants, the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol range is hugely significant. If Peugeot can imbue the cooking versions with the agility, the verve and the build quality to succeed in this market, it will help other Peugeot entry-level lines achieve conquest sales from bitter rivals like
Ford,
Vauxhall and
Renault.
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Although the bottom of the range isnt where the profits are for manufacturers, every sale denied to the opposition is the equivalent to winning a relegation six pointer. With their 8-valve 1.4-litre opening the 307 range,
Peugeot discovered that fronting up at the party with 75bhp under the bonnet doesnt set too many hearts a-fluttering. The engine may have been more powerful than the equivalent
Ford lump, but it was comprehensively leathered by the 95bhp
Renault engine found under the bonnet of a Megane and well shy of the 89bhp offered by the
Honda Civic.
Now, however, the 1.4 8v that was carried over from the 306 has been replaced by a 1.4-litre 16v offering. With 90bhp available, this unit looks infinitely more class competitive and does much more justice to the 307s excellent chassis.
"Remember when the Ford Focus was the undisputed king of the hatchback handling hill? The Peugeot 307 is just as good"
You wont mistake the 307 1.4 for a GTi when you mash the throttle pedal, but everything feels taut and eager. Roadholding is excellent and the tall body resists roll admirably. In this instance it seems Peugeot couldnt help themselves and have injected a good deal of fun into the 307.
Remember when the Focus was the undisputed king of the hatchback handling hill? The Peugeot 307 is just as good as the Ford in all dynamic respects bar steering, which is slightly woolly just off-centre. That said, when committed to a corner, youll get the sort of feedback youd expect from sportier cars. Its immense fun. Raw figures wont do the car justice, but the 307 1.
4 S entry level car will hit 62mph in 12.8s which is plenty quicker than the laborious 14.6 seconds needed to perform the same feat in the old 8-valve car. The top speed of 106mph has not altered much and that extra acceleration doesnt come at the expense of fuel consumption, which actually improves from 42.
2mpg to 43.5mpg. Good though the advance in performance looks, the fact remains that this is not a light car (1090kg in weight) and if youre really interested in getting the proverbial skates on, the extra £700 to trade up to the 1.6-litre version is well worth it.
Alternatively, if fuel consumption is everything, the 70bhp 1.4-litre HDi diesel engine option might be worth considering. There is just one trim options available to 1.4-litre petrol buyers S at prices of £11,820 and £12,320 for the 5-door.
All models get six airbags (including front and rear curtain bags to protect you against flying glass) as well as ABS with Brake Assist. There are also active head restraints and automatic hazard light deployment under heavy braking. Other thoughtful applications include a boot which automatically locks when you pull away, protecting the contents from opportunistic thieves while stopped in traffic, and door linings that are fitted with reinforced cowlings that shield the lock elements. As for the rest of the specification, well the 307 is generous almost to a fault.
You can expect to find remote central locking, electric front windows, a height and rake-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustment for the drivers
seat ,air-conditioning, alloy wheels, electric mirrors and a Radio/CD player. Nice touches include front door bins that can carry a 1.5-litre bottle and sliding underseat storage trays. Turn on the air-conditioning and the cool air will find its way into the glove box to keep your drinks and chocolate cool.
Plus there are cargo nets in the hatch to stop luggage from looking like its been on a spin cycle after spirited driving. The 307 feels tightly screwed together, and uses a high grade of plastics, giving a subjective impression of quality to the interior that was so sorely lacking in the old 306. Many will feel that the interior perhaps lacks the visual drama of the exterior styling, and its a fair point. Nevertheless, ergonomics are sound and the car will be easy on your conscience too, with over 90% of its volume by weight being recyclable or recoverable.
The 307 even utilises environmentally friendly constituent parts, such as mudflaps made from what were once polypropylene bottles and soundproofing that uses recycled textiles. Odd thought. The shirt on your back could one day make somebodys Peugeot 307 that tiny bit quieter. The 307 1.
4 is so right in so many ways that its tempting to call it a new chapter for cheap Peugeots. The 16-valve engine turned a good car with one major failing into a great car that its remarkably difficult to pick faults with.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot 307 1.4 petrol range
PRICES: £11,820 - £12,320 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 4
CO2 EMISSIONS: 155g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.8s / Max Speed 106mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban] 32.5mpg / (extra urban) 53.3mpg / (combined) 43.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags /ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4202/1746/1512
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