Peugeot 1007
2006-01-19 07:45
The Peugeot 1007
Author: John Oxley
The world first saw the Peugeot 1007 as a concept car, the Sesame, way back in 2002, and it struck me at the time that this was a fair idea, but wouldn't make it to production, mainly because of costs.
Well, Peugeot proved me wrong and brought it out as the 1007 - and it was immediately surrounded by controversy, because the owners of the James Bond copyright insisted that Peugeot couldn't describe it as a One-Double-O-Seven as they hold the copyright on "007".
So you have to call it "one thousand and seven". Which is crazy.
For me, "One Double O Seven" is how I think about it, and that's what I'll call it when I discuss it with friends. Message to the James Bond crowd: sue me.
Justice
But perhaps it's poetic justice, as my friend and fellow journalist Stuart Johnston pointed out the other day, for way back, when Porsche wanted to call their new car a "901", Peugeot stepped in and acclaimed they had copyrighted all the '01' numbers.
So out of that was born the Porsche 911, and the rest is history.
I wonder, when (or if) Peugeot actually uses the 901 badge, how many people will be able to recall the Peugeot 901 compared to those who instantly recognise Porsche 911!
Anyway, I digress.
The Peugeot 1007 - distinguishable from the 107 hatchback by the extra zero to denote it's a niche model - is essentially a small but tall hatchback with two sliding side doors.
To make it a bit more interesting customers can choose a "mix and match" interior.
Customers get a standard trim colour, and can get a spare set of 12 interchangeable interior parts in the colour of their choice, comprising two door and two rear storage box covers, two dashboard mats, four air-vent surrounds and eight seat covers.
Cost: R2 000 a set.
Interestingly, the 1007 is as tall as the much bigger Peugeot 307 - itself a tall car in its segment - but shorter than the Peugeot 206, which is a SHORT car in its segment.
Inside
As to be expected from Peugeot, build quality is good, and the fittings are of a high standard.
The car's most notable feature, of course, is its pair of sliding side doors, and these can be opened electrically either by pressing the remote, touching the door handle, or pushing a button on the driver's side.
Or they can be opened manually - obviously just an emergency measure, since they are quite heavy.
The car comes complete with automatic aircon, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, and, of course, those electric doors.
Alloy wheels are also standard, shod with 185/60 x 15 tyres, and the car has ABS with EBD and seven airbags - enough to give it a 5 Star Euro NCAP safety rating.
There's a luggage stowage net, and an extra interior mirror which allows you to watch the kids in the back.
There are front foglights and rain-sensing wipers as well as automatic headlights.
The price includes a 3 year/100 000km warranty, roadside assistance, a free 15 000 km oil check and 30 000 km service intervals, but a maintenance plan costs extra.
Well, first of all, let's get inside. Simply press the right-hand button for the doors on the key, the door slides open quite quickly, and you almost step inside, without having to bend down far, or tilt your head down a lot. Smashing!
It's easy to get comfortable, and vision all round is excellent.
Both driver's and front passenger seats are adjustable for height as well as rake and reach,
However, you pay for having the doors by also getting two knob-like protrusions on the windscreen pillar that look both ugly and clumsy.
The dashboard is quite complex, and also quite attractive.
The dash is in three parts. It's got a flat top at the two outer parts, in which you can put colourful interchangeable mats.
But beware - if they're too bright, they reflect badly in the windscreen. Choose darker ones.
The mats are designed to match the seat inserts and door panel inserts.
Then there's a centre section, which rises proud of the flat dash, and contains really nice-looking air vents with black centres and aluminium-look surrounds. There are also similar vents at the dash extremities.
This centre section becomes a drop-down console, also trimmed in aluminium lookalike, with the front-loader CD/radio (with four speakers) and the aircon and ventilation controls.
There's a nice three-spoke steering wheel with leather-trimmed rim and a big boss, and satellite controls underneath it for the audio system.
Then, at the base of the windscreen, in the centre, is a display for the onboard computer, which includes a clock, radio settings, fuel consumption and so on.
In front of the driver there's a nicely-hooded instrument binnacle with a large speedo flanked by a revcounter and a fuel gauge.
Lastly, there's a dropdown glovebox in front of the passenger.
The gearlever for what Peugeot calls its "2-Tronic" 'box is a simple affair with a chromed knob, in the usual place at the base of the centre console. Because it's an electrically-operated manual (not a CVT) you merely choose forward or reverse, the former sequentially. Or there's a full "auto" option.
There are also paddles on the steering wheel.
You win some, you lose some.
Firstly, the 1007 has lots of headroom and legroom, in the front. And plenty of headroom in the back. It should have - it's high.
However, it's not got much space in the back at all, especially if the seats are pushed forward to improve the abysmal boot capacity.
To put it into numbers, with the seats in a "normal" position (short kids only) there's 205 litres of space; with the seats fully back (to accommodate two adults) it reduces to 154 litres, and with the seats fully forward (room for only small leprechauns or garden gnomes) it's 326 litres.
Peugeot is punting this as a new type of family vehicle, but really it's a two plus two with super convenience for those in front, and the usual two-door inconvenience for rear seat passengers.
Unless your kids are as skinny as mini Ali McBeals - or perhaps even skinnier - they won't be able to get into the back without flipping either of the front seats forward.
Which makes a mockery of the whole thing, doesn't it!
However the rear seats flip and fold in various configurations so you can load more, but really, the car is too short to carry much.
We went on a braai at a dam with friends, and by the time we had loaded two folding chairs, a cooler box, umbrella, towels, and spare clothes, the 1007 seemed chokka full.
On the upside there are lots of stowage spaces for small items.
On the road
Only one version of the 1007 is currently available in SA, powered by a a1.6-litre 16-valve engine producing 80 kW at 5 750 r/min and 147 Nm at 4 000 r/min.
Only one gearbox is on offer, too - the 2-Tronic. This is similar to the MMT 'box found on some versions of the Toyota Verso.
It's NOT a true automatic or CVT (continuously variable transmission) but is in effect a 5-speed manual gearbox with an electric clutch and various computer gizmos.
The benefit is improved fuel consumption, and the ability to travel without changing gears, allowing the car to do it for you.
- Performance and refinement
As I've already said, you win some, you lose some.
That 80 kW in such a small car should be more than enough to give quite sparkling performance, but the reality is that the weight of those big doors, plus their operating mechanisms, makes this a heavy car for its dimensions, and this costs in terms of both performance and fuel consumption.
At the same time its high stance costs in terms of air drag, again limiting performance and economy.
The engine is willing, but gets a little boomy at times. You have to rev it to get the best out of it.
Ride quality also suffers as a result of the car's unconventional dimensions. The short wheelbase means it gets quite choppy, and we had to slow right down to keep our equilibrium on the short dirt road down to the dam.
The 1007 has got a good driving position, the seats are comfy, and it's easy to get in and out.
But that gearbox!
At best, using a special technique that involves more work and concentration than using a manual gearbox you can get it to change gears as smoothly as a learner driver.
But most of the time, and especially in "auto" mode, it's jerky and uncomfortable.
Better a manual or a proper automatic or CVT.
The electric steering is light and positive, with variable assistance, and handling is positive, but there's a lot of body lean.
Brakes are good.
Conclusion
Even Peugeot itself seems unclear about this one, hence the funny numbering.
If you have to park in tight bays or a narrow garage that doesn't allow you to open normal doors fully, then the 1007 is great.
Similarly if you have difficulty getting in and out of normal vehicles, then the big doors will work for you.
If you like gimmicks, well this is an expensive one, albeit VERY gimmicky.
But there are much better options on the market if you want a small but versatile mini MPV with room for two or three kids, or even the odd adult or two, in the back.
And they have FOUR doors which makes getting in and out a lot easier.
For much less money have a look at a Honda Jazz or a Renault Modus, or for a little money less, an Opel Meriva.
For not much more cash you can get a Volkswagen Caddy or even a hugely spacious Citroen Picasso.
Pluses
- Easy access for front occupants
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- Easy to park
Minuses
- Poor access to rear seats >
- Lack of rear space
- Small luggage capacity
- Poor performance in its class
- Lousy gearbox