• Peugeot’s new 207 makes its world première at the Geneva Motor Show
• 207 R Cup takes the style and sporty design of 207 to a new level
• 307 CC Hybride diesel HDi demonstrates Peugeot’s environmental technology

At the 76th Geneva International Motor Show (Thursday 2nd March, 2006 to Sunday 12th March, 2006), the Peugeot 207 will make its world première and is set to be the ‘star of the show’. The 207 will play an important role in Peugeot’s plans for the small car sector, supplemented in Europe by the 107, 1007 and ever-popular 206 – the Company’s best-selling car to date – which will continue alongside the new car in Europe.

To emphasise the importance of 207, a stylish and sporty concept model is also revealed called the 207 R Cup, which takes 207 excitement to a new level. It’s powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 16v petrol engine, that produces 280 bhp @ 8,500rpm. With a 6-speed sequential gearbox and 18" alloy wheels the 207 R Cup could be the design blueprint for a future Peugeot Sport competition programme.

A new hybrid innovation is also being shown in Geneva. The 307 CC Hybride HDi diesel is a technology demonstrator, like the 307 HDi hatchback unveiled by PSA Peugeot Citroën in January. It showcases Peugeot’s knowledge in future power plant design and environmental protection by applying hybrid technology to Peugeot’s class-leading 1.6-litre HDi 110 diesel engine with DPFS (Diesel Particulate Filter System). Coupled with a 23kW electric motor the performance of this car represents a major breakthrough in further improving fuel economy and reducing CO₂ emissions when compared to similar vehicles equipped with a petrol hybrid system.

The 2006 Geneva Motor Show represents a milestone for Peugeot with possibly the freshest model range of any manufacturer. This new range offers customers considerable choice, most particularly in the small car sector where Peugeot has been an established performer. The 107 has immediately struck a chord with customers who clearly like its enthusiastic and economical 1.0-litre petrol engine and quality packaging. Peugeot’s presence in the sector is also supplemented with the innovative 1007, with its electric sliding doors and 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and the ever-popular 206, with over 5.4 million produced worldwide.

The arrival of the all-new 207 will set new standards for the sector, and place it as the key benchmark car. The 207 has elegant style with a strong personality and a front that embodies Peugeot’s new visual identity with a single air intake and a generous front grille. The ‘feline’ headlamps have a powerful gaze and combine, depending on model, static directional headlamps for extra illumination on dark roads.

Two individual designs differentiate the appearance of the front of the car and provide the personality of the 207 – one being stylish and elegant, the other more dynamic and sporty. Generously proportioned, the new car is 4.03 metres in length, with a 2.54m wheelbase and width of 1.72m. The high-quality, welcoming interior is likely to put cars twice its value to shame. Three petrol and three HDi diesel engines are available at launch, followed soon after by more powerful petrol power units from the PSA Peugeot Citroën/BMW collaboration.

Pierre Louis Colin, managing director, Peugeot UK, commented: "The launch of 207 at the Geneva Motor Show demonstrates to the world that Peugeot continues as a trend setter in the small car segment by producing attractive, stylish cars that combine class-leading standards of value, quality, safety and specification."

Further up the European model range, the popularity of the 307 continues to grow, helped by the restyling and improved product features of the Hatchback, Estate, SW and CC models. The 407 range is also expanded with the Saloon and SW now joined by the equally distinctive 2-door Coupé model. This model launched the much applauded 2.7-litre V6 HDi diesel engine.

After an intense period of new product activity for Peugeot, the show stand will be bristling with new products – in the last eight months, every model range has either been updated with new models or comprehensively revised with new features. The portfolio has also been extended, with the arrival of the 107 and 1007 models, while the elegant 407 Coupé has arrived in European showrooms.