The designers who are hard at work on the new Peugeot 107 have promised that the car will get "a more youthful look".
The updated model will be introduced in 2009 and will feature better fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and enhanced equipment with upgraded interior.
Changes to the 107′s exterior include a stylish ‘new face’ with chrome detailing and a new wheel trim design to bring a more youthful appearance to this in-demand car.
The interior has also been revamped and includes new upholstery materials which will match new exterior colours in the range.
According to SMMT, the Peugeot 107 is the best-selling low-emissions car with over 15,000 sold in 2007.
This success has been driven by its very economical 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine which has a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg – two per cent more efficient than the previous model.
CO2 emissions are also reduced to just 106g/km (previously 109g/km), retaining the low £35 road tax ‘B’ banding.
Written by Roxy Moran
Peugeot Sport chose the final round of the 2008 Le Mans Series at Silverstone as the time to unveil a 908 HDi FAP car featuring a kinetic energy recovery system.
The 908HY has a new, specific silver-grey livery and will provide a tantalising taster of what Peugeot’s next endurance racing challenger could look like.
Unique technology enables a proportion of the car’s kinetic energy produced under braking to be either recovered or stored.
In non-hybrid cars this energy is lost and simply dissipates in the heat generated by the brakes. Peugeot want to take advantage of the fact that, when harnessed, it enables the vehicle’s efficiency to be improved.
This enhances performance with no increase in the amount of energy consumed and reduces fuel consumption.
Michel Barge, Peugeot Sport’s director, said: “As a car manufacturer we can use motor sport as a research and development tool for the Peugeot brand as a whole.
"Whether we use this technology or not in 2009 will obviously depend on the details of the new regulations published by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.”
The deadline for entries into the 2008 Coventry and Warwickshire Young Driver of the Year Competition is fast approaching, with motoring enthusiasts in the region urged to stake their claim for the title.
To be sponsored yet again by the French car manufacturer Peugeot, the competition will see 17 to 21-year-olds compete to be named the best young driver in the region.
As well as being assessed on their driving skills, the youngsters will also be judged on their willingness to take advice on board and their desire to improve as an all-round motorist.
Cllr Kevin Foster, from Coventry City Council, who himself was a young member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, commented: "This is an excellent example of a major company working with local groups to improve road safety.
"This will help get young drivers focused on road safety and hopefully encourage more to look at going on to improve their driving skills by becoming advanced motorists themselves."
Last year’s competition saw 21-year-old Warwickshire lad Sean Oliver drive off in a brand new Peugeot, and now 17 to 21-year-olds are being given the chance the win a 107 of their own.
The initiative comes as Warwickshire County and Coventry City Council both work to improve the safety levels of young drivers on the region’s roads, with around one in four of driving fatalities in the UK aged between 17 and 21.
Peugeot is to introduce a new RC hybrid concept car which promises to be the missing link between the 2002 RC concept cars and the 2006 908 RC.
The Paris Motor Show will be the scene of the unveiling and the new car’s name will be … only announced then.
Whatever the vehicle’s name, it intends to introduce numerous stylistic, engineering and technological ideas all under a single roof.
The car will be an accessible and versatile car, with four doors, four seats and highly innovative hybrid architecture.
Its aims to have a very high level of efficiency in terms of performance with a potential maximum power output of 313 bhp.
But environmental considerations won’t be overlooked. CO2 emissions will be limited to 109 g/km in the combined cycle or zero in electric mode.
Peugeot describes the new hybrid as "an exciting, eco-efficient vehicle which has all the characteristics that also ensure great driving enjoyment; a synthesis of ideas which demonstrates that respect for the environment and driving pleasure can be compatible".
Peugeot has introduced a new standard to help buyers identify the greenest cars in its range.
The Blue Lion standard will be bestowed to vehicles which emit levels of CO2 equal to or lower than 130g/kg, have been produced at an ISO 14001-certified manufacturing plant and are 95 per cent recyclable at the end of their lives.
At present, there are 50 Peugeot models with CO2 emissions that are either equal to or lower than 130 g/km, and 33 that are equal to or lower than 120 g/kg.
However, the Blue Lion standard does more than denote which vehicles are environmentally-friendly – it also goes some way to identify those cars which are cheapest to run.
This is due to the fact that the most environmentally-friendly cars are subject to reduced road tax, while London drivers will also be able to get away with paying a lower congestion charge.
Blue Lion Peugeots include the Peugeot 107, Peugeot 1007 and the Peugeot 206.
It has been announced that the new Peugeot 308 CC will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September.
For those who can’t wait ’til the leaves are falling for details of the new car its manufacturer has offered some details of what to expect.
One of many features sure to impress will be the fully automatic retractable roof that can be "magically transformed" in 20 seconds.
The designers have ensured that the four full size seats will have increased rear leg room compared to previous models.
It is not just legs that will benefit from the new design. A unique warm air heating system built into the front seats will act like a scarf by diffusing warm air adjustable for temperature, flow and direction around the occupant’s shoulders and neck – a mod-con that is sure to give the car a head-start on its rivals.
The importance of in-car communication systems has not been forgotten. A user-friendly sat nav system will offer a MP3 CD audio system, Bluetooth functionality and satellite navigation with a retractable colour display screen.
The Peugeot 207 coupe cabriolet has been named as the highest-scoring car of three cabriolets subjected to roll-over testing by the Germany Automobile Club ADAC.
This is further good news for the model, which was recently awarded a five star assessment score by Euro NCAP.
According to Peugeot, the main reason behind the 207 coupe cabriolet’s excellent safety record is the standard fitment of active rear roll-over protection bars on all models, which is normally only available on more expensive vehicles.
When used in tandem with strengthened windscreen pillars, the bars form a protective zone for occupants in the event of an accident.
Further features of the Peugeot 207 coupe cabriolet include ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Emergency Braking Assist as standard, in addition to driver’s Smart front airbag, passenger Smart airbag, side/head airbags, pretensioning and force limiting front seatbelts and three point Isofix child seat mountings on the front passenger seat.
Peugeot’s first coupe cabriolet was sold in 1934, and 623,000 versions of the model have been sold subsequently.
The new Peugeot 207 Cielo – Spanish for ‘sky’ – features a glass roof which gives a panoramic field of vision.
The special edition vehicle comes in three-door and five-door versions, with two petrol engine choices – a 1.4 litre 75 bhp or VTi 95 bhp.
It also has three metallic paint colours – Diablo Red, Neysha Blue and Aluminium.
Peugeot has already sold 118,000 of the ’207′ cars since its launch, and the new Cielo edition is based upon the popular ‘sport’ version of the car.
The Cielo also features cruise control.
A fleet of Peugeot 308s has been adopted by the Police force, for use in their Police Support Unit, Canine Patrols, Scenes of Crime and Cell (prison van) vehicles.
The environmental credentials of the new 308 1.6-litre HDi 90 S Peugeots mean that they have a fuel economy of 62.7mpg whilst only registering 120g CO2 per km emissions.
Andy Bye, manager of Peugeot’s Special Vehicle Operation (PSVO), said: "The 307 has been a success with UK Police fleets, and the improvements in the new 308 mean we have a very competitive proposition – a product that performs well at all levels.
"Police forces are increasingly mindful of the operational cost of running a fleet, and their impact upon the environment. The Peugeot 308 HDi 90 S combines low emissions and strong fuel economy, without compromising its role, with added practicality and performance."
Peugeot are also about to convert the new 308 SW estate vehicles to add a (blue) light bar, siren, PA system, hand set, control box, LED bumper lights and a full police livery.
Peugeot has launched an international competition to design an urban car to cope with the megalopolis of tomorrow – and the €10,000 prize will be awarded at the Paris International Motor Show on October 2nd with a full-scale model on view at the Shanghai Motor Show in the spring of 2009.
Entries have to incorporate environmental friendliness, social harmony, interactive mobility and economic efficiency.
Entries can be submitted, via the Peugeot website, from May 30th to July 20th 2008.
The 2007 competition attracted designers from 113 countries, the winner being Mihai Panaitescu from Italy.
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