FirstDrive: Peugeot 207 GTiWhen we drove the Peugeot 207 GT a few months ago, we liked it so much we speculated that there really could be no logical reason for buying the full-bore 207 GTi.
We knew it would have less equipment (manual air conditioning instead of climate control and no panoramic sunroof) and would cost several thousand more than the GT, which means the only advantage to buying a 207 GTi over the GT would be 25 extra horses.
Indeed, despite the extra horsepower its 0-100km/h time still looks distinctly average at 7.1 seconds, and it runs out of puff at 220km/h, so it was never going to set the hot hatch world alight with its performance. So what could Peugeot, one-time ruler of the hot hatch segment, possibly do to make the GTi worth the extra?
On the face of it, Peugeot has done very little.
Externally, it has the same bodykit as the 207 GT and the same 17-inch alloy wheels, too. With the exception of its aluminium-coloured mirrors, the only way someone can tell a GTi from the GT is from the rear, where its tiny "GTi" badge, roof spoiler and substantial exhaust pipes give it a purposeful appearance.
Inside, there's even less fanfare with only the bucket seats (complete with one-piece back rests) and alloy pedals to remind us we're in something hot. There are no GTi badges anywhere, no decals on the dials and no fancy stitching in the seats.
It's pretty much stock in there. There isn't even a racy steering wheel, or a set of GTi floor mats, for heaven's sake.
Turn the key, though, and things take on a different complexion. The 1.6-litre, turbo-charged engine might be largely identical to the one that powers the GT (and the Mini Cooper S), but in the 207 it's chock full of aggression.
At idle it grumbles loudly but when revved, it snarls with surprising venom, so much so it sets off car alarms and rattles windows. Once on the open road, there's a weight to the steering and a crispness to the gearbox that's not evident in other 207 models, not even the GT.
It's more than just a badge and a power tweak. The character of the 207 has been fundamentally changed for the GTi model.
As you'd expect, the 207 GTi is reasonably quick off the line and zips along nicely down back roads as well, with a broad spread of torque and five well-chosen gear ratios to ensure you're rarely caught flat-footed. In actuality, it's much, much quicker than the performance figures suggest, especially when the finely-honed chassis is factored in. The 207 GTi's controls are superbly calibrated for real-world enjoyment, with an eager and accurate steering that communicates with the driver all the way through the bend, helping him to power into and out of corners cleanly and consistently.
The steering, brakes, gearbox and throttle response are all perfectly in tune with one another, and help create a driving experience that is on a par with the best of current hot hatch kings, the Focus ST and Golf GTi.
It reminds me a little bit of my old 205 GTi, in fact, particularly in the way it allows the driver adjust the cornering line with the throttle.
IT'S QUICK AND FUN, the 207 GTi, but it's not perfect. Though it's probably not of concern to most buyers, the suspension is rather stiff even by hot hatch standards, and it can get rather tiresome after a while. Build quality is also a little suspect, with our (admittedly hard-used) dealer demonstrator having a cracked windscreen, condensation in the indicators, loose seat-back shrouds, a buzzing glovebox lid and squeaking seats.
None of these fault are catastrophic and are easily remedied under warranty, but perhaps it's worth bearing in mind if you tend to be hard on cars.
At €27,425 the 207 GTi is some €3,000 more expensive than the 207 GT, and while you lose some rather pointless extras all the important features remain, including air conditioning and ESP.
More importantly, it delivers a driving experience that is substantially sharper and more enjoyable than the fine 207 GT, so if you really like driving then the 207 GTi is absolutely, definitely worth the extra.
Bear in mind, too, that it's still a whopping 10 grand cheaper than the likes of the big boys in this segment, and is even €1,500 less that its main rival, the faster but less rewarding Opel Corsa OPC. We had expected it to be the overpriced and underwhelming sibling to the excellent GT, but instead we find that the 207 GTi is that rarest of things: a genuine hot hatch bargain.
Factfile
Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Turbo 175hp, 260Nm
Transmission: five-speed manual
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 220km/h
Economy:
7.2 L/100 km
CO2: 171g/km
Boot Capacity: 270 litres
Weight: 1,250 kg
Price: €27,425