407

Eschewing its predecessor’s quiet subtlety for a startling cab-forward design in four-door sedan and wagon (Touring) guises, the front-wheel drive 407 aims to win back some of the buyers lost to the premium small car segment below (think VW Golf) and compact SUV 4X4s (eg Honda CR-V).

To that end there have been big strides in safety (including eight airbags in all models), technology, ride comfort, refinement levels and dynamic abilities.

Three engines are available from launch – a 116kW/217Nm 2.2-litre DOHC 16V variable valve timed petrol and 100kW/320Nm 2.0 HDi turbodiesel four-cylinder units, with both using a four-speed Tiptronic-style automatic or six-speed manual transmissions, or a 155kW/290Nm 3.0 DOHC 24V V6 tied to a six-speed Tiptronic-style auto.

Models are ST Comfort and Executive or SV Executive and Sport.