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| Peugeot 1007 Electric Power Doors Make It Parking Wizard |
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High Roof, Flexible Seating Equals Versatile City-Car Plodding Drive, Stodgy Gearbox Probably Won’t Hurt Target Market The city centre is buzzing, curtain-up is in 5 minutes, and you’re desperate for a parking space in the multi-storey. Round and around you go. Suddenly, yes, there’s one. It’s a bit tight but you just squeeze in with inches to spare, and you congratulate yourself on the skill of your manoeuvre. Unfortunately, the space is so skinny you can’t actually open the doors. More determined motorists might think about climbing out of the sun-roof, but you quickly ditch that idea. You are forced to face reality, reverse out and continue your search, muttering curses about the thoughtlessness of other drivers who might have left just a little more space, and dreading the upcoming embarrassment of trying to sneak into the show late, and finding the family in the dark. That aggravating scenario is shortly to become history. The Peugeot 1007, a little 2-door 4-seater people carrier from France, is the first small car to boast electric powered front doors. With a simple plip of the remote control, the doors will slide themselves backwards, providing unrestricted access. Inside, there’s a button to open the doors. The 2 doors add less width to the car than the wing mirrors, and remain within the car’s length. There’s a special device to make sure when the doors are shutting they don’t trap your fingers. Parking in the tightest of spaces should be a breeze. Easier Access, Stronger The sliding doors, as well as giving extra strength to the car’s structure, make access to the rear much easier, although when you are in the back, you will find that width is restricted because of the door mechanism. The height of the car, 1.62 metres, and the much wider access provided by the electric doors – the 1007 is really a mini-Multi Purpose Vehicle - means that the car will be in demand by senior citizens. The fact that its performance is less then electrifying won’t worry this wrinkly target market. Peugeot also claims that the car has class-leading carrying flexibility. The 1007 can carry 4 people with not much luggage, two with plenty of load space, or one person and maximum capacity of 416 litres. The rear seats slide forward individually and fold in half, or double up to rest upright behind the two front seats. The front passenger seat folds in half. When there are four passengers and little luggage, the rear seats slide backwards to allow maximum leg room. Mix-Match Interior Another original idea, which might not be universally welcomed, is a mix-and-match interior. Every 1007 will have two sets of swappable velcro trim panels, so that the look, mood and colour can be changed in minutes. There will be two new trim designs available every year. This will make an ideal Christmas present, says Peugeot, so you know who to blame when you don’t get those socks. Peugeot says that the interior can be switched within 15 minutes, without the use of any tools, if you can be bothered. There will be 12 trim kit choices, consisting of replacement trims for the seats, doors, rear side panels, air vents and the fascia. The entry-level model is powered by a 1.4 litre 75 bhp petrol, with a 2-Tronic automatic gearbox option. Prices start at £10,850 - ¤15,850 euros. There’s a 1.6 litre 110 bhp petrol which only comes with 2-Tronic, and a 1.4 litre 70 bhp diesel, sans 2-Tronic. The 2-Tronic gearbox allows an automated mode, or you can choose a clutch-less sequential manual controlled by a stick, or steering wheel control paddles, just like Michael Schumacher in his Formula 1 Ferrari. |
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Stodgy, Vague On the road the car’s performance is a bit stodgy, with a vague manual gear box. The auto box doesn’t change gear quickly enough. The driving position is high and commanding; the steering is light. The overall performance is very un-Peugeot like. The company has a reputation for producing sharp steering and performing small cars. I’ve just spent a week with the little 107 city car, and that was brisk, almost an exciting performer. But I suppose that given there are really three city cars – the 107, 206 and 1007, maybe this one doesn’t need to be a whip-cracker. The cars are well specified, and come in either Dolce or Sport trim. All models have the electric sliding doors, velcro inserts to change the trim colour, all the high-tech safety acronyms, and 7 air bags. Dolce and Sport models have fog lights, air con, leather steering wheel and a luggage net. Sport models have bigger wheels, body markings, and chrome exhaust pipe, plus sport seats, aluminium pedals, and automatic air con. So the next time you slide into what would have been an impossible parking spot pre-Peugeot 1007, you will have every right to fell smug, and think of that poor Mr Schumacher, who has to jump out of the roof of his car every time. Neil Winton – July 20, 2005
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