Peugeot's first-ever SUV not coming here

PEUGEOT’S first SUV – the Mitsubishi Outlander-based Peugeot 4007 – was officially launched in Europe last night, but may not come to Australia at all.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia spokesman Mathew McAuley said that, although the company would like to add the 4007 to its local line-up, it is doubtful that it will come here before 2009 at best.

With limited supply from Mitsubishi, the 4007 will only be available in Western Europe for the time being.

“We would dearly like to have it here, but there is no timeframe for the vehicle to come to Australia,” said Mr McAuley.

“All I can say is that it definitely will not come here this year, it would be doubtful for 2008 and, beyond that, who knows?” Mitsubishi has committed to building only 30,000 units a year for PSA Peugeot Citroen, the company is understood to be reorganising its Japanese production facilities to meet a higher than expected demand for Outlander and its European variants.

While the Outlander is sold in Australia with both four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines, the Mitsubishi-built Peugeot 4007 (as well as the impending Citroen C-Crosser clone) is powered solely by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine.

This latest-generation common rail HDi diesel four-cylinder engine was developed jointly by Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroen and produces 115kW of power at 4000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

It is a single-turbo version of the twin-turbo engine recently introduced in the 407 and 607 sedan ranges and was chosen to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

It features a new combustion chamber with a reduced compression ratio (16.6 compared to 18.0 previously) combined with a third-generation Bosch common rail injection system with the pressure increased to 1600 bar (compared to 1350 for the first generation).

The system also has more injector apertures to increase the number of individual injections for more precise and therefore more efficient delivery of the diesel fuel.

Driving through a standard six-speed manual gearbox (no auto is available), the new engine pushes the 1747kg Peugeot 4007 from rest to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds while returning average fuel consumption of 7.2 litres per 100km on the combined fuel cycle.

Peugeot claims the big seven-seater turbo-diesel emits less CO2 than many regular family cars.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd president Rob McEniry said this week that he would love to get a diesel-engined Outlander for Australia and “will keep pursuing it”, but has no plans to have it here “at the moment”.

MMAL currently offers the Outlander with a 125kW/226Nm MIVEC 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a 150kW/352Nm V6.

The other big difference between the 4007 and its Mitsubishi source vehicle is the distinctive wide-mouthed front end, which was designed by the Peugeot Style Centre and clearly gives the vehicle a family look.

“The front aspect emphasises the car’s style, robustness and sporting credentials and is equipped with a wide, open front grille in keeping with Peugeot’s current styling designs,” the company said.

“Feline-eye shaped clear headlamps are positioned over the front wings, forming the link between the wraparound front panel, the wings and the contoured bonnet which enhances the luxurious and robust appearance of 4007.” Though a late starter in the SUV market, Peugeot believes that the 4007 “will attract new customers who are looking for something distinctive”.

It is priced from £22,790 ($A54,000) in the UK and comes with standard ‘on-demand’ four-wheel drive system, stability control, ABS brakes, roof bars, climate control air-conditioning, six airbags, alarm, trip computer, foglights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The 4007 follows the 1007 as the second Peugeot with a “00” nameplate. The ‘4’ identifies the vehicle in the upper medium sector, the ‘00’ sets it apart from the regular Peugeot vehicle range and the ‘7’ pinpoints its generation in the current Peugeot series.

Read more:

First look: French unveil Outlander clones

PSA and Mitsubishi seal deal for turbo-diesels