An introduction

"Long, low and wide". That is how I have always visualize the fundamental shape of my ideal car. That shape took the form of the Peugeot 407 Elixir Concept. Peugeot amazingly without hardly any radical change, transformed concept into reality in the form of  the Peugeot 407.

The purist representation is the coupe, longer by 0.5 ft and wider by 0.1 ft against the saloon but the practical reality representation is the saloon.

An outstanding feature of this car which I like very much is that the windscreen is extremely raked like a sports car. The second feature I like is a long nose overhang. This design element of beauty leads to its so striking appearance and the designer was free to express his vision of beauty. Of course, when one drives along an acute slope, drive slowly or else it could scrape the undercarriage but I think that design flow makes the car look outstandingly beautiful. It bears a timeless appeal which will endure the test of time. Peugeot designers tried hard to come up with a better design with the 508 version but I think it is hard to beat, looks distinctive and oozes European flare.

Peugeot traditionally calls Italian Pininfarina to design Peugeot cars but no one there is going to admit her lines are unmistakable there albeit a more pronounce lower jaw in the Peugeot 407 than a Ferrari Berlinetta.

• The 407 is a heavy car with a kerb weight of 1613kg compared to a BMW 523i at 1572kg but this gives a more comfortable ride.
• Premium leather and the on-board navigation kit separate it from the entry level model.
  
• In terms of performance, it is more geared as a grand tourer(GT)-cum-business executive rather than sports executive.
• In terms of equipment it wins hands down against its competitors.
• In terms of dimension, spacious, a respectable boot and a true 5 adult seater. LxBxH in mm is 4676x1811x1455; in ft. is 15.3x5.9x4.7. For comparison, a Proton Perdana's dimension in ft. is 15.2x5.7x4.6 and weighs 1245kg is smaller and much lighter. A standard parking bay (LxB) in ft is 16x8 so the 15.3x5.9 dimension of the car shows how really long and wide the car is.

I grew up with Peugeots as my late father invested in a 403 later upgraded to the 204, 304, 305 and 504. I now pick up that tradition

UPDATE

Incidentally, my particular Peugeot 407 happens not only to be a premium unit but also the second last unit, the other was the showroom unit which suffered a boot lock problem. (In terms of performance and handling, I do not feel it is fair to compare my 407 against other 407s one-to-one as it has been discreetly modified). After that came the 508 version. If I recall way back in 2011, the salesman clarified there are 3 versions of the Peugeot 407 in Malaysia:

1. The first CBU units (1,000 units I think).
2. The first generation CKD units
   
3. The second generation CKD units
   

The CBU and first generation units suffered a similar problem: difficulty in handling the hot Malaysian climate especially heavy urban traffic condition. That was their No. 1 complaint. The easiest solution was to fit an oil cooler which rally cars fit. From R&D made, distributor Nazim upgraded 407s in 2008 to the second generation units that accommodates a larger engine oil container easily taking 4 litres of engine oil which earlier units could not. Other improvements were the noticeable oomph from "variable valve timing producing 140 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The Tiptronic System Porsche 4-speed automatic has also been revised." (See above link).

Potential second-hand Peugeot buyers should look out for this. You have been told.