Says Peta Lee of her road test of the Peugeot 207 GTi; "Having never, for some reason in the three decades in which I’ve been writing about cars, driven a Peugeot, I found it quite unnerving last week to climb into the driver's seat".
Usually, you become used to the characteristics common to each manufacturer. You generally know what to expect from their range, and I’ve yet to drive a real lemon.
The 40-minute long ride home in the blinding rain, thick mist and frantic traffic, had me apprehensive about applying brakes – I hadn’t yet read up on the car, and knew nothing about its safety ratings or mechanisms.
What I DID realise on that journey, though, was it has the most fantastically comfy wraparound seats, the five-speed manual gearbox was nice and smooth, the acceleration appeared to be there when I needed it, and the gauges, dials (clock, date and every other bit of info you need) were all clear and easy to read.
Finally, three days later, the rain dried. For a day. And I was able to crank it up and floor it around some corners and bends.
This little cherry-red pocket rocket wasn’t just hot looking – it was a performer of note, and I grew to love its handling, its speed, and its solidity.
Two doors have their disdavantages
Didn’t like the fact that it’s a two-door, naturally – and they’re pretty big damn things as well, clunking wide open and swinging back with a speed, endangering the paintwork of any cars parked next to you . . .
Nor did I like the ridiculously small cubbyhole, into which practically nothing will fit. Perhaps a lipstick and a set of keys, but then again, you have to climb halfway on to the passenger seat to reach into the back of it anyway . . .
LOVED the design of the car, the fat 17 inch alloy wheels, the twin sporty exhausts, the detail on the lights, and, as I mentioned earlier, having the dates, time, and everything else available at a glance on the dash readout.
It also comes with ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlights, curtain airbags, side airbags, driver and passenger airbags, emergency brake assist and electronic power steering. Slick, sexy and superbly good looking . . .
What more does a girl want? Just the R199 000 to pay for it!
Usually, you become used to the characteristics common to each manufacturer. You generally know what to expect from their range, and I’ve yet to drive a real lemon.
A pretty blind road test
I knew nothing about the brand before my car arrived; my week with the 207 GTi coincided with several days of torrential rain on the East Coast. Driving to the freeway for my maiden voyage in the car, I was, for the first time ever, actually nervous about how a car would handle in the wet conditions.The 40-minute long ride home in the blinding rain, thick mist and frantic traffic, had me apprehensive about applying brakes – I hadn’t yet read up on the car, and knew nothing about its safety ratings or mechanisms.
A pleasant (and fantastically comfy) surprise
What I DID realise on that journey, though, was it has the most fantastically comfy wraparound seats, the five-speed manual gearbox was nice and smooth, the acceleration appeared to be there when I needed it, and the gauges, dials (clock, date and every other bit of info you need) were all clear and easy to read.Finally, three days later, the rain dried. For a day. And I was able to crank it up and floor it around some corners and bends.
  
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Divine girls, simply divine
The 1.6 GTi has amazing acceleration, whips up to a blistering pace very quickly, thanks to the turbocharged 128kW engine, and is quite awesome at full tilt.This little cherry-red pocket rocket wasn’t just hot looking – it was a performer of note, and I grew to love its handling, its speed, and its solidity.
Two doors have their disdavantages
Didn’t like the fact that it’s a two-door, naturally – and they’re pretty big damn things as well, clunking wide open and swinging back with a speed, endangering the paintwork of any cars parked next to you . . .Nor did I like the ridiculously small cubbyhole, into which practically nothing will fit. Perhaps a lipstick and a set of keys, but then again, you have to climb halfway on to the passenger seat to reach into the back of it anyway . . .
But lots of features to love
Loved the wing mirrors, which immediately unfold when you unlock the car with the remote – and fold in when you lock it.LOVED the design of the car, the fat 17 inch alloy wheels, the twin sporty exhausts, the detail on the lights, and, as I mentioned earlier, having the dates, time, and everything else available at a glance on the dash readout.
Winner of top safety rating award
Also, it turns out the car was awarded a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, so my fears were groundless. Oh, and the 207 GTi is the first Peugeot to be equipped with the manufacturer’s radical new Steering Stability Programme (SSP) which links the variable power steering with the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), dramatically improving control and stability, and shortening braking distances, even in tricky road conditions.It also comes with ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlights, curtain airbags, side airbags, driver and passenger airbags, emergency brake assist and electronic power steering. Slick, sexy and superbly good looking . . .
What more does a girl want? Just the R199 000 to pay for it!
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