Peugeot was the first maker of a small folding-hardtop coupe-cabriolet and remains most successful in the hardtop segment
The Sport 2 Version is equipped with a turbo engine offering sharp overtaking, rhythm through all gears and an easy uphill pull
Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2 has repositioned front fog lamps from outer edges of the grille to bumper and taillights now in LED
The interior has gained a USB port, Bluetooth and tyre pressure sensor
The Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2 is considered the "most-funnest", lowest-priced, highest-specced and best-performing cabriolet in its class
Road Test Interview - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
Interviewer: David S (Motoring Journalist and Vehicle Information Specialist)
Interviewee: Peugeot 207 CC
Question: How does it feel to be the only compact coupe-cabriolet?
Peugeot 207 CC answered us in this road test interview.
Biggest talking point - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
I have a theory: some people unfairly label small cabriolets as hairdressers' cars, as only fit for the effeminate or the feminine, only because such a small fun car simply doesn't fit into the average Dad+Mom+2.2 kids+pets household. These families already bought the house, made the children and got the pets... now there's not enough space for them and their suitcases/toys/prams/pets, and not enough disposable income for daddy to buy the open-topped sports car he dreamed of driving. So they dismiss these desirable little sports cars as too petite for them.
Thanks! Yes, I am definitely not only for a certain type of person. Although my character is obviously for the fun-loving, my buyer profile is not restricted to any gender, orientation or age group.
Exterior and interior - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
Peugeot obviously went to great lengths in getting proportions of the 207 CC spot-on.
Thanks, again. My designers worked hard to get the small coupe look right, neatly working my folding metal hardtop into a flowing roofline.
Speaking of your clever roof - with 206 CC (your predecessor) Peugeot was the first maker of a small folding-hardtop coupe-cabriolet (hence the CC naming), and even today you are still the only small CC. Opel tried something similar with Tigra, but it was withdrawn from the market. How does it feel, Peugeot 207 CC, to stand alone in such a style-conscious segment?
Really good. I offer my owner a unique advantage of being both a stylish small coupe, plus the advantage of my hardtop (that no other rival compact cabriolet with their awkward soft-top roofs can offer).
You had a minor facelift last year, yes?
Indeed. The quickest way to tell me apart is to look at my front fog lamps, moved from the outer edges of my grille to their own recesses in my bumper. My pert tail now has LED lights.
I see you also gained a USB port, Bluetooth and a tyre pressure sensor.
I like your interior look and feel. The all-black interior offset by light stitching on your dashboard and leather seats looks great!
Also adding a sporty touch, to match my Sport 2 name, are alloy finishes to my gear lever and pedals, and my white instrument dials circled in chrome.
We tried to fit an adult (just one) in the back, but even sitting sideways was both unsafe and annoyingly uncomfortable, though small kids smiled to be in the back of this fun ride.
I have to criticize Peugeot's seat heater controls - nice to have heated seats, but I can't see the heat setting adjuster from the driver's seat, so each time I have to stretch to see if forward/backward is hotter or off... or wait for the heat to arrive and go with my butt feel.
Spec and drive - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
This is the fun part. Driving roof-down made me realise that you are the most-funnest, lowest-priced, highest-specced and best-performing cabriolet in your class.
All true.
What is the "2" for in your name Sport 2?
The Sport 1 model had the normal engine, whereas I am Sport 2 with a turbo engine.
I could definitely feel your turbo power during sprightly overtaking, lovely rhythm through gears, and easy uphills... but my one serious complaint is a total flat spot at low revs - when pulling away, I have to increase engine revs to avoid a sudden reluctance to accelerate. When I went through a traffic circle or around a tight corner, I stayed in 2nd gear, which caused you to become breathless.
That is turbo lag, but can be overcome by adopting one's driving style.
I know, but it distracts from an otherwise lively engine.
Favourite Fresh Feature - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
I enjoyed driving you roof-up for most of the time, yet flicked your roof switch to pack away the whole lot in the boot whenever the mood arose in me... or in my envious co-pilot. Yet my favourite feature is not your roof itself...
... it is not?!
My favourite feature is the feel-great factor of indulging in a lively, stylish car, giving me the choice... roof up, or roof down?
Stylish... either way.
Pricing - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
Some (like Mr Family Man) might perceive this car as expensive - at R285 000, it is the price of a bigger hatch or small sedan, but these cars can't boast about anything that a coupe-cabriolet can. At this price, it is not even R5k more than a MINI Cooper Convertible (standard, and without turbo power) and a whole lot less than the Cooper S (a turbo like 207 CC).
Rivals - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
The smart fortwo cabrio passion is only half a car, and not exactly suitable for any stylish outings. Daihatsu Copen is ludicrously small and tinny, and really just a plastic toy. The only potential rival would be the MINI Convertible, which may have a bigger following, but doesn't cut the sleek coupe look of the Peugeot 207 CC. Rivals: 0, Peugeot: 207.
Finding - Peugeot 207 CC 1.6T Sport 2
Question: How does it feel to be the only compact coupe-cabriolet?
It must feel good to be the only compact coupe-cabriolet. Perhaps it feels even better, knowing Peugeot does it so well - style, spec, lively engine (except for turbo lag), good value... and that CC roof. So stop criticising the small cabriolet - jealousy makes you nasty.
: David S:
Full member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists
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