Peugeot 407 SW 2.2 HDi 170 Sport

AT first glance paying more than £22,000 for a Peugeot 407, or indeed any upper-medium car from a volume manufacturer, seems on the steep side.

But nowadays it’s the going rate for a range-topping model and it seems that most car firms are pushing their offerings up the price scale. Toyota, Renault and Volkswagen all have top-spec estates in this price sector, and Peugeot is now muscling in on the act.

And muscling is an apt phrase as the new range-topping 407 SW has plenty of it – it is the first Peugeot to run the PSA group’s new twin-turbo 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel, offering 170bhp and 277lb-ft of torque.

It bridges the gap between the core 2.0-litre HDi with 136bhp and the less mainstream 3.0-litre 205bhp V6 diesel. Although the 2.2 HDi sits evenly in power terms between the two, on the road it feels far closer to the V6.

Unlike the V6, the 2.2 is available with a six-speed manual gearbox which immediately makes it feel sportier. And, joy of joys, the gearbox action doesn’t feel as vague as it does on must other Peugeots – this unit has a far more positive action between the gate and suits the sporting intent of this car much better.

On the move the engine remains fairly subdued noise-wise, especially when cruising on the motorway. There are also impressively low levels of wind noise from the A-pillars, too.

That’s not to say the engine doesn’t make its presence felt, though. Prod the accelerator to the floor and the twin turbos do their work and provide instant acceleration – the first turbo is smaller and spools up much more quickly than a larger one, thus eliminating the turbo lag (the delay before the turbo spins to provide boost) which afflicts some cars.

Once the smaller turbo’s work is done, the larger version takes over to continue providing boost.

As a result, acceleration is smooth and feels much stronger than in the 2.0 HDi.

And even though the 407 SW in Sport guise has 18-inch wheels as standard, the ride doesn’t suffer. There are few cars in this sector which are more comfort- able than the Peugeot.

The ride errs towards sporty, but the damping is supple enough to ensure you’re not driving along with your teeth rattling.

Inside, the Sport benefits from the range upgrade which took place in the summer, meaning plenty of standard equipment (including Bluetooth telephone kit, electric part-leather seats and a full length panoramic glass roof which floods the interior with light).

It all makes the 407 a pleasant place to sit in. And at least from the driver’s seat you can’t see much of the ungainly snout on the Peugeot. It may make the car stand out, but the large front overhang and swoopy lines simply don’t gel with the more stylish and angular rear end.

Fact file

P11D value: £22,127
CO2 emissions (g/km): 165
BIK % of P11D in 2006: 23% Graduated VED rate: £135
Insurance group: 14
Combined mpg: 45.5
CAP RV (3yr/60k): £6,500/29%
Monthly lease (3yr/60k): £502

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