Peugeot 207
Peugeot 207
The Peugeot 207 is a stylish and versatile supermini that became one of Peugeot’s most important small cars during the 2000s. Introduced in 2006 as the successor to the popular Peugeot 206, the 207 combined distinctive French styling with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, multiple body styles and a comfortable interior.
Built for European city streets but equally capable on longer journeys, the Peugeot 207 was offered as a three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback, SW estate and CC convertible. It also formed the basis for a number of sporting and competition versions, including the impressive 207 GTI and 207 Super 2000 rally car.
Peugeot 207 History
The Peugeot 207 was launched in 2006, following the enormous success of the Peugeot 206. Rather than simply replacing the 206 with an evolutionary design, Peugeot gave the new model a larger body and a more substantial appearance.
The 207 adopted Peugeot’s contemporary styling language, including a large front grille, swept-back headlights and a prominent Peugeot badge. The design helped establish a distinctive family resemblance with larger Peugeot models of the period.
The car was produced in several countries, with major production taking place in France and other European and international facilities. Its popularity made it one of the best-selling Peugeot models of its generation.
Peugeot 207 Design
The 207 was noticeably larger than the 206, providing increased interior space and a more substantial road presence. Its rounded bodywork was combined with sharp headlights and a pronounced front end.
Inside, the 207 offered a modern cabin with a relatively spacious layout for a small car. Depending on specification, equipment could include air conditioning, alloy wheels, panoramic glass roofs, upgraded audio systems and other comfort features.
The five-door hatchback was particularly popular with buyers looking for a practical everyday car, while the three-door version offered a sportier appearance.
Peugeot 207 Body Styles
One of the strengths of the 207 range was its variety of body styles.
Peugeot 207 Three-Door
The three-door hatchback had a sportier character and appealed to younger buyers. It was also an attractive starting point for the more performance-oriented versions of the 207.
Peugeot 207 Five-Door
The five-door model was the practical choice, providing easier access to the rear seats while retaining the compact dimensions that made the 207 well suited to urban driving.
Peugeot 207 SW
The 207 SW was an estate version designed for buyers who wanted additional cargo capacity. Its extended roofline and flexible interior made it a useful family car.
Peugeot 207 CC
The 207 CC added a folding hardtop roof, transforming the small hatchback into a compact convertible. With its combination of four-seat practicality and open-air motoring, the CC became one of the more distinctive versions of the 207.
Peugeot 207 Engines
The Peugeot 207 was available with a broad selection of petrol and diesel engines. Engine specifications varied according to market and model year, but the range included economical small-capacity engines as well as more powerful units.
Petrol engines were well suited to city and general-purpose driving, while the diesel versions offered strong fuel economy and useful low-speed torque.
Some later petrol engines were developed through cooperation between Peugeot-Citroën and BMW, including turbocharged units used in higher-performance models.
Peugeot 207 GTI
The Peugeot 207 GTI was one of the most exciting versions of the range. Sold in some markets under the GT and GTI names, depending on specification, it combined turbocharged performance with the compact dimensions of the 207.
The GTI featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and was developed to provide considerably stronger acceleration and performance than the standard 207.
Its relatively compact size, front-wheel drive and responsive chassis gave the car a distinctly sporty character.
Peugeot 207 Super 2000
The Peugeot 207 also had a highly successful competition career. The Peugeot 207 Super 2000 was developed for international rally competition and became a formidable machine in the S2000 category.
Unlike the road-going 207, the Super 2000 featured four-wheel drive, a competition-focused engine and extensive modifications to its suspension, bodywork and drivetrain.
The 207 Super 2000 achieved major success in rallying, helping reinforce Peugeot’s reputation for producing competitive small rally cars.
Peugeot 207 in Motorsport
Motorsport has long been an important part of Peugeot’s identity, and the 207 continued that tradition.
The 207 was used in rallying, circuit racing and other forms of competition. Its compact dimensions made it particularly suitable for rally stages, where agility and traction were crucial.
The Super 2000 version became especially notable for its participation in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and national rally championships around the world.
Peugeot 207 Facelift
Peugeot updated the 207 during its production run, introducing styling and equipment changes while retaining the basic mechanical architecture.
The facelifted models received revisions to the front-end styling, lighting and interior equipment. These changes helped keep the 207 competitive in an increasingly crowded small-car market.
Production of the 207 continued until 2014 in some markets, although the model had already been succeeded in Europe by the Peugeot 208 from 2012.
Peugeot 207 as a Used Car
Today, the Peugeot 207 remains an interesting choice in the used-car market. Its compact dimensions make it convenient for urban driving, while the availability of different engines and body styles means there is a 207 for a wide range of requirements.
The sportier GTI models are particularly interesting to enthusiasts, while the SW provides greater practicality and the CC offers an affordable route into convertible ownership.
As with any older vehicle, condition and maintenance history are important when buying a used 207. Mechanical condition, service records, bodywork and the condition of the interior should all be carefully examined.
Peugeot 207 Collecting and Diecast Models
The Peugeot 207 has also attracted attention from model-car collectors, particularly because of its motorsport history. Road-going versions, GTI models and rally cars can all make interesting additions to a collection.
Peugeot 207 diecast models are available in different scales and styles. Collectors can find representations ranging from small-scale promotional models to more detailed collector-grade replicas.
Rally versions are especially appealing because the Peugeot 207 Super 2000 competed in distinctive liveries and events. These models provide collectors with an opportunity to combine an interest in Peugeot road cars with the company’s rally heritage.
When collecting Peugeot diecast models, popular scales such as 1:18, 1:43 and 1:64 offer different levels of detail and display requirements. Model-car brands have produced Peugeot vehicles in several scales, making it worthwhile for collectors to compare accuracy, interior detailing, wheels, paintwork and competition liveries.
Peugeot 207 Legacy
The Peugeot 207 played an important role in Peugeot’s history during the 2000s and early 2010s. It successfully followed the hugely popular 206 while introducing a larger and more sophisticated small-car design.
Its range of hatchbacks, estate and convertible models gave buyers considerable choice, while the GTI and Super 2000 versions added genuine performance and motorsport credentials.
For enthusiasts today, the Peugeot 207 is remembered not only as a practical European supermini but also as a car that carried Peugeot’s sporting tradition into a new generation.
Conclusion
The Peugeot 207 was a versatile small car that combined distinctive French styling, everyday practicality and a surprisingly strong sporting pedigree. From economical hatchbacks to the entertaining GTI and competition-bred Super 2000, the 207 offered considerably more variety than its modest dimensions might suggest.
For collectors, the model is particularly interesting because its road-going versions and successful rally cars provide plenty of opportunities for Peugeot 207 diecast model collecting.
Looking for a scale model of this car? Explore our guide to buying model cars and discover diecast and collectible versions available from specialist retailers.