First look: Peugeot's 206 hatch becomes the 207

PEUGEOT has released official photos of its 206 replacement, the 207. Set to debut at the Geneva motor show in March, the 207 is bigger, bolder and safer than the 206, with a wheelbase reportedly approaching the old 306.

Visually the car retains the cheeky good looks of the current model and will be offered with five and three doors, a SW wagon, cabriolet, as well as the hot-hatch GTi variants.

The chunky wheelarches and curved C-pillar are distinctive while the grille adopts the Peugeot corporate look featuring a wide "mouth" similar to the 307, black bumper overriders and high-set headlights that mimic the 407.

Like the 307, the foglights have moved into the central air intake from the edges of the bumper.

At the back the almost vertical hatch opens to bumper level and the elliptical tail-lights are bigger and brighter.

A small integrated roof spoiler sets off the rear-end.

Inside, Peugeot has answered criticism of the low-rent 206 interior with improved materials and ergonomics.

The 206’s poor driving position, a legacy of its conversion to right-hand drive, has been banished with well-placed pedals and a steering wheel that is both height and reach adjustable.

Cabin room has improved with more rear legroom and slightly larger boot with a 60/40 split fold rear seat that folds flat. With the seats up there is 270 litres of luggage space, while folded flat there is up to 1195 litres.

Overall the 207, which is based on the Citroen C3 platform architecture, is 4030mm long, 1720mm wide, 1472 high and sits on a wheelbase of 2540mm – the 306 was 2580mm. The front track is 1474mm and rear 1469mm.

Compared to the 206 the 207 is 195mm longer, 44mm higher, 68mm wider and it’s wheelbase is 98mm longer.

The MacPherson strut front suspension and rear torsion beam are expected to carry over, with further refinements for ride and handling.

Engines are tipped to range from 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinders, up to a 2.0-litre including a 134kW 2.0-litre twin-cam version for the GTi.

A range of HDi turbo-diesel engines will also be offered and some European reports have suggested a high-performance HDi will also be offered.

Peugeot is also working on a joint venture with BMW to produce a range of direct injection turbocharged 1.6-litre four cylinder engines expected to join the line-up in 2007.

The 207 is expected to be sold in many countries alongside the 206, which is still experiencing strong demand.

The newcomer is not the smallest model in the French car-maker’s lineup.

The 107 a joint-venture between Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot as well as the 1007 with its electric sliding doors take the crown for small Pugs.

Introduced in Europe in 1998, the 206 has been a consistently strong seller for Peugeot and in Australia, responsible for strong sales behind the 307 and 407.