Peugeot 407 Coupé: The Peugeot 407 Coupé has one very hard act to follow. The Pininfarina-styled 406 Coupé made its debut at the 1996 Paris Motor Show before going on sale in 1997. It was universally praised at the time as one of the most beautiful cars in the world and even today, is regarded as something of a design classic.
With the arrival of its successor, there was almost always going to be a certain amount of disappointment for those who held the 406 Coupé's looks in high regard. The 407 saloon that has given birth to this coupé is an undoubtedly beautiful car, but its long nose and gaping mouth was always going to make the coupé that it fathered look less delicate and feline than its predecessor.
The new car is imposing, muscular and striking, but from certain angles looks almost a little vulgar.
But what the stylists have achieved successfully is individuality and that really is going to be the theme of today's lesson. Of the 102,890 buyers that bought the 406 Coupé it would be fair to say that a large slice of these people bought this car not only on its looks but because it wasn't a BMW or an Audi or an Alfa Romeo.
It is probably fair to point out now that Peugeot did not intend for this car to be a sports car. They like to think of it as more of a Grand Tourer and for this reason it may not cause panic in the boardrooms of BMW. It is natural to assume that it is aimed at cars like the BMW 3-Series Coupé but from the moment you sit into the car you feel like you are in an altogether more thoughtful and restful place.
What is immediately impressive is the feeling of quality in the interior. Choose the SV model, tested here, and you want for nothing in terms of creature comforts and luxury items. Leather upholstery, heated electric seats and a useful climate control system twinned with a crisp-sounding audio system make the car's cabin a very pleasant place to be.
The seats are cosy, yet supportive - for the front two passengers at least. In the rear, your children or your vertically challenged friends will be happy, but taller adults will grumble somewhat.
There is a choice of three engines for the 407 Coupé. The 2.2-litre petrol with 163bhp has a starting price of €41,500 or you can have a 211bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol from €54,700.
The real excitement, however, surrounds the 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine tested here. The engine has already had starring roles in Jaguar's S-Type diesel and Land Rover's Discovery and Range Rover Sport.
With 205bhp and 440Nm of torque underfoot the response from throttle is prompt from anywhere in the rev range.
But the real beauty of this engine lies in its refinement. Apart from the very muted clatter at start-up you would be hard-pressed to guess that this was a diesel. It is supremely quiet. But this refined engine would be nothing if it was coupled with a bone-jarring ride and thankfully the 407 Coupés with six-cylinder engines have been fitted with electronically controlled suspension.
Shock absorption is variable and each damper is controlled independently. A wheel travel sensor controls each wheel in accordance with nine damper settings, with changes possible every 2.5 milliseconds. In plain English this means that the car gets firmer if required, to prevent pitching, bouncing and rolling on varied surfaces. You can also stiffen the car using a 'sport' button on the centre console.
As mentioned, the 407 Coupé does not try to be a sports car and this is just as well because it isn't.
In diesel form and mated to the auto-only six-speed box, with the majority of the weight sitting over the front wheels, there is no great sense of involvement from the steering.
The grip is there, but as a driver you don't feel all that involved. This goes for the transmission, too, which can be a bit ponderous.
There is a manual functionality to the auto box, but like any of these systems you will use it for your first five minutes and then seldom use it again.
But this is far from a criticism because for what it sets out to do, the 407 Coupé does really well. It is quiet, refined, comfortable and beautifully made. There is a note of caution, however.
Being asked for €57,100 for an SV spec 2.7-litre diesel 407 Coupé may induce a sharp intake of breath. While Irish buyers may be accustomed to being asked to pay this much for a BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, they are certainly not paying this for a Peugeot.
The choice at this level is extensive. If you want a diesel coupé then your choice is, admittedly rather limited. BMW's 330d Coupé is remarkable, but at the end of its life.
The Mercedes CLK C220 CDi is refined but has limited performance. But broaden your horizons a little and you could have Alfa Romeo's stunning 3.2-litre Brera, a 140bhp diesel Audi A4 Cabriolet, Volvo will soon offer you a diesel-version of their C70 and if you want to really turn heads how about the amazing-looking and more powerful Chrysler 300C Diesel?
Then there is the issue of residuals. While it is foolish to predict what a new car will be like in five years, we can look back at the 406 Coupé. In 2001 the 2.0-litre 406 Coupé and BMW 318Ci were both around €35,000.
Today, a 2001 406 Coupé will cost you about €14,500 on the used market, while a 2001 318Ci can cost you from €5,000 to €10,000 more. So expect similar differences five years from now.
On its own merits the 407 Coupé is a worthy machine. It will suit the buyer seeking a comfortable, individual cruiser.
Owning one will certainly be rewarding, but at this price, you must stray from the usual path with your eyes wide-open.