Peugeot 207 GTI (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

09 February 2007 11:18

Peugeot 207 GTI: the lowdown

Could this be the hot hatch to restore the sheen on Peugeot’s GTI badge? On the experience of the French company’s past few efforts, probably not – but the 207 GTI looks set to improve on the lacklustre outgoing 206. Headline-grabbing highlights include the same 175bhp turbo 1.6 as the latest Mini Cooper S; although it’s down on power compared with punchy 190bhp+ rivals like the Renault Clio 197 and Vauxhall Corsa VXR, a brief overboost facility unleashes 195lb ft of twist for overtaking moves in the top three gears to narrow the gap. You’ll pass 62mph in 7.1sec, and the hot 207 tops out at 137mph.

We’re slightly underwhelmed by the look of this warmed-over 207, to be honest. It’s a world away from the brash in-yer-face attitude of the Corsa VXR, but we reckon most hot-hatch buyers will want a little more punch than the restrained 207 GTI delivers… Big chunky driving lights dominate the bottom of the cross-hatch grille at the front, while there’s the merest whiff of a front spoiler. At the back, twin exhausts are added and a discreet roof spoiler tops the rear screen. Oh, and the door mirrors have chrome accents, too. It seems that CAR Online's scoop of the 207 GTI was spot on - we published leaked photos a month ahead of its embargoed debut today.

By Tim Pollard