Peugeot's Elixir of new life

01 September 2003: Peugeot's 407 Elixir concept which is announced today in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show gives some ideas about the new 407 to go on sale in Ireland next spring.

In particular, it foreshadows the 407 Coupe, we believe.

The body has 'fluid' design that combines a very steeply inclined windscreen with a glass roof - a feature now synonymous with the Peugeot brand. At the front a wide 'mouth' is surrounded by chrome-plated beading and integrated headlamps.

At the back, the design detailing includes twin exhausts, LED-type rear lights and an opening rear window accommodated in a relatively upright tailgate.

The 407 Elixir is designed to seat four people in comfort. The doors open to reveal an interior with no partition or rear parcel shelf, housing four identical, adjustable seats.

The 407 Elixir has pre-tensioning seatbelts with a seatbelt-not-fastened indicator for each of the four seats. Passengers are protected by nine airbags, one of which - incorporated in the steering column - protects the driver's knees.

Power for the 407 Elixir is provided by an all-new, 6-cylinder 2,700cc HDi diesel engine which generates more than 200 hp. This engine features the latest-generation particulate emission filter, ensuring automatic regeneration without any mileage limitations.

The transmission adopts a 'Tiptronic' style sequential gearbox, with a gear lever allowing either 100 % automatic operation or manual, sequential control over gear changes.

Elixir has dual wishbone suspension at the front and the latest generation multi-arm system at the rear - combined with a new Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

©2003 irishcar.com