2010 Peugeot 207 Touring Outdoor Launched

PEUGEOT AUSTRALIA has added a new model to its 207 small car line-up, launching the 207 Touring Outdoor this week.

Based on the 207 Touring, the limited-edition 207 Touring Outdoor brings new wheels, a rugged new look, more equipment and better trim.

The good news is the pricing; the incoming Outdoor is priced the same as the outgoing 207 wagon (the benefit, no doubt, of a high Aussie dollar).

Styling

With its black plastic fender flares, sideskirts and bumper lips, the 207 Touring Outdoor has an air of adventure about its styling. It's one of the more rugged-looking compact cars. Buyers wanting a small wagon with a dash of... yes, "the great outdoors"... may find the 207 Touring Outdoor especially appealing.

The limited-edition model gets new 16-inch wheels, which are wider than the regular model's rims. It also sits higher, with the front raised 16mm and the rear lifted 21mm.

Alloy roof rails and a convenient split tailgate are standard. Up front, the Touring carries the individual lines of the 207 hatch  (in other words, it's got that Peugeot 'frog swallowing a bath-plug' look).

It's a sharp looking car, and the combination of offroader- inspired body add-ons with the 207's swoopy styling is both unique and appealing.

Interior

Inside, the 207 Touring uses the same dash layout as the hatchback models, however the load space is much larger. The rear bench is also repositioned further back and higher up than in the hatchback, improving legroom and forward visibility.

With the rear seatbacks up, luggage capacity stands at a handy 438 litres. The 60-40 split rear seatbacks fold flush with the boot floor, and when stowed unlock a full 1433 litres of cargo volume.

The Outdoor is available with black or brown cloth/leather seats as standard, and the dash and centre console sports metallic-effect trim pieces.

There are numerous storage bins and pockets dotted around the cabin, and the luggage area features five load support rails.

Equipment and Features

The Outdoor adds dual-zone climate control, cruise control and a speed limiter to the 207 Touring's spec sheet, which already comes with auto-on headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and a panoramic sunroof as standard.

Separately-opening tailgate glass is a standard feature, enabling small items to be loaded into the boot without having to raise the entire hatch. The load area is accessible from the back seats via a ski port, which can be opened from both the boot space and the back seat.

An auxillary input for a portable music player is provided, and a trip computer is standard. It is also equipped with an MP3-compatible CD player and AM/FM tuner, with audio controls mounted on a stalk behind the steering wheel.

Satellite navigation and a USB input for music players are optional extras, along with electrically folding wing mirrors.

Stability control, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are factory fit. All five seats are equipped with three-point safety belts. The safety suite also includes front and side airbags for the front seats along with full-length curtain airbags.

Mechanical Package

The 207 Touring shares its drivetrain and powertrain technology with the 207 hatch range, the Outdoor likewise.

Two packages are offered. The cheaper of the pair is a 1.6 litre VTi  petrol four which delivers 88kW and 160Nm, and comes mated to a four-speed automatic. The other engine is a 1.6 litre HDi turbodiesel developing 80kW and 240Nm, which is available with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The petrol engine is not available with a manual, nor is the diesel sold with an auto. As is Peugeot's way - 4007 crossover notwithstanding - power is sent to the front wheels only.

Pricing and Availability

The 2010 Peugeot 207 Touring Outdoor is available now from Peugeot dealers across the country and - until the 150-car limited production run finishes - is the sole 207 Touring model available

Pricing starts from $30,490 for the petrol auto and $31,490 for the diesel manual, plus on-road costs.