Very interesting...French and Germans working together now ...

...I put it in here to make it easier for you lot

A legend is returning. For many performance fans, Peugeot has never produced a worthy successor to its brilliant Eighties' hot hatch, the 205 GTi. But as this week's magazine's pictures show, the new 207 GTi is set to be just that.

More exciting than ever, it gets a bold new look and, for the first time, a turbocharged engine. The model is Peugeot's best chance to re-establish itself as the king of the supermini hot hatch class, giving the forthcoming Renaultsport Clio and Vauxhall Corsa VXR some stiff competition.

Enhancing the already stylish lines of the 207 - which we revealed undisguised in issue 882 - the newcomer is certainly a head-turner. Flared wheelarches plus a bold front end dominated by a wider grille and integral spotlights are finished off by low, sporty bumpers and 18-inch alloy wheels. Those aggressive looks will be backed up by a muscular powerplant, too. Thanks to the firm's current joint venture with BMW, the 207 GTi will share the same all-new, state-of-the-art 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine that is set to power the next MINI Cooper S.

But whereas the hottest MINI is likely to make do with 170bhp, the 207 GTi will have in excess of 180bhp, in order to compete with its muscular hot hatch rivals. "It's a simple matter of tweaking the electronics to raise the power," said a spokesman. That much thrust should propel

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the supermini from 0-60mph in less than seven seconds, and on to a top speed of nearly 140mph.

As well as searing top-end punch, it should also have lots of power from idle, too. This is thanks to a clever 'twin-scroll' turbocharger, which is said to produce strong response at engine speeds as low as 1,400rpm, virtually eliminating lag. Aiding performance even further will be a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard. But the 207 GTi won't only be fast in a straight line. With wider front and rear tracks than its predecessor, tog-ether with stiffened and lowered suspension, expect more stability, agility and grip than before. Bigger brakes and Peugeot's latest ESP and traction control system will complete the dynamic package.

On the inside, GTi versions are likely to upgrade the 207's new high-quality cabin with figure-hugging sports seats, brightly coloured upholstery and aluminium trim for the gearknob and drilled pedals. As for equipment levels, expect climate control and a six-CD stereo with MP3-playing capability as standard, plus optional sat-nav.

The newcomer is slated to go on sale in approximately 12 months' time. Prospective buyers are likely to get their first official glimpse of it at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006, with sales kicking off before the end of the year. Expect prices to start at around

pah it's bound to break down every month!

Though it looks ok and sounds like it should be quick!

Peugot lost it after the 205 gti

still looks like a car for ponces...albeit very fast ponces

Joel

well with BMW's influence the engine should be good....but no doubt the rest of the car will be pants!...im not a fan of there recent styling efforts either.:thumbdwn:

If it is anything like what BMW did with the mini,i think it would look great.

The Original Go Cart