New 407 will be mainly diesel

14 May 2004: The availability of a 1.6-litre petrol engine from launch in the new Peugeot 407 will help boost the diesel penetration of the model in Ireland to 70 per cent of all sales.

The car goes on sale here next weekend (May 22) priced from €24,895 for the entry-level petrol 1.8. The 1.6 diesel will cost €28,195.

Other engines include 2-, 2.2- and 3-litre petrol units and a 2-litre diesel available with either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed Tiptronic automatic.

There are four specification levels, designated SR, ST Comfort and ST Sport, and SV Executive. Air-conditioning will be standard through the range, with dual mode on ST upwards.

Gowan Distributors Ltd expect to sell some 3,000 407s in 2005, the first full year of the new model. Of these, around 400 will be SW versions. Around 60 per cent of sales are expected to be into the fleet market. The distributors also hope to increase the number of buyers under 40 by a significant amount.

In France, 83 per cent of 407s are expected to be diesel-powered.

©2004 irishcar.com