The Peugeot 207 is venturing into the rough! Auto Express spied this SUV sister car for the popular supermini, which is to join other forthcoming compact off-roaders such as the MINI Monte and Vauxhall’s Corsa 4x4 on sale next year.
And Peugeot will again link up with Mitsubishi, just as it did for the Outlander-based 4007 SUV. The 2007 promises to be one of the most car-like SUVs in its class, with agile handling and plenty of grip, thanks to the Mitsubishi-developed 4x4 system.
It will be based on the CX concept first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. But it is set to have a look all of its own, based around large headlights and a trademark bold grille. Inside, the five-seater will offer plenty of versatility, while a wide range of optional extras includes a panoramic glass roof and satellite navigation.
Power is to come from 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines. And, as you can see from our spy shot (top), early production prototypes have already been caught testing.
The newcomer will go on sale in the UK towards the end of next year. Before that, though, Peugeot is planning to take the wraps off the 308 CC at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
Revealed in the form of a thinly disguised concept, it will be virtually identical to the production car, which arrives in the UK next summer.
The front end is similar to that of the RC Z concept which, as we reported in Issue 1,010, has been given the green light for production. Options are set to include a leather-trimmed interior, while the engine line-up will be topped by a 1.6 petrol turbo unit. Prices for the 308 CC should range from £17,000 to £22,000.
Another show-stopper at the French expo will be the sixth-generation VW Golf, which makes its worldwide debut at the October event. Highlights should include the GTI and Bluemotion variants.
