Renowned for its rigour, the road holding of the 407 results not only from the architecture, composition and development of its suspension, but also from the good performance of the structure in terms of torsional rigidity. Both body shapes have a drop-link, dual wishbone type front suspension. The dual wishbone and the uncoupling of bounce and turn functions ensure excellent directional stability under all circumstances, as well as cornering accuracy, superb ride comfort and minimum sensitivity of the steering to road imperfections.
A multi-arm rear suspension which itself also uncouples longitudinal and transverse forces enhances effi ciency, particularly since the suspension is assembled on a large ight-alloy crossmember guaranteeing a high level of geometrical precision.
The rear axle is combined with inclined springdamper assemblies that are both highly effi cient and compact.
Damping of the 407 is always excellent and on versions powered by six-cylinder petrol and HDi diesel engines, the quality of these engines is enhanced by variable damping, controlled on each wheel individually by a rigidly attached wheel travel sensor. Anticipating the degree of damping and its quality automatically and continuously according to the surface or dynamics of the road, damping fi rmness can be adjusted by selecting a push-button for a more dynamic ride setting. Electro-hydraulic steering is featured on most 407s, with an electropump unit delivering assistance according to vehicle speed, angular steering wheel speed and steering fluid
temperature.
This technology offers excellent directional stability at high speeds and good response during manoeuvres, as well as fuel savings. Entry level versions are equipped with variable power steering according to engine speed, while six-cylinder versions have hydraulic steering with piloted valve assistance.
Braking is on a par with the dynamic performance of the new 407, and features a Bosch ESP system on all versions, with automatic disconnection and reconnection at 50kph, combined with emergency brake assist and automatic switching on of the hazard warning lights.
Inside the new 407 a more pleasant atmosphere is available, instantly more luxurious and dynamic with other attributes of note. The brightness of the passenger compartment is
the result of the expansive inclined front windscreen with its surface area of 1.6m2, which provides occupants with excellent visibility. In the 407 SW this brightness becomes a veritable art of living with the immense panoramic roof, consisting of dark-tinted laminated glass, which can be hidden behind a one-touch electric roof blind.
The carefully designed postural comfort is the result of sculpted front seats with a generous range of electrically-controlled or manually operated adjustments. Encapsulating the highly exclusive character of certain versions equipped with electric driver’s seat memory, door mirrors and steering column adjustment. The steering wheel can be raised automatically and retracted fully to make it easier for the driver to get in and out of the vehicle.
Rear passengers are comfortably seated in ergonomic seats and on many versions benefi t from a wide centre armrest with concealed storage. The absence of a central tunnel frees up space for passenger’s legs and provides undisturbed lateral visibility, adding to their comfort.
Thermal comfort
At the front and in the rear, passengers benefit from excellent thermal comfort dispensing automatic air conditioning with bi-zone (left/right) temperature controls with a gentle diffusion system in line with the fascia panel. A new compressor control provides a better response to temperature settings by delivering the requested ‘sensation’ more quickly. In hot climates particularly, the sensation of coolness is felt more quickly.
On some versions, sun blinds can be lowered over the rear windows of the Saloon and SW, and combines with the electric blind of the panoramic roof, on the SW, to make it possible at all times to protect the passenger compartment from the sun. In addition, while the laminated side windows contribute greatly to noise insulation, they also boost thermal comfort by limiting the sensation of a hot or cold surface.
To enhance the comfort of occupants in very cold countries, a calorie effi cient Webasto additional heating system is available, as standard or as an option according to markets, on HDi diesel engine versions.
This programmable equipment preheats the cooling circuit with the engine switched off, ensuring a faster build-up of engine temperature after setting off. The programming system also makes it possible to preheat the passenger compartment to a fi xed temperature by means of a remote control, at a specifi c time and for a predetermined period.
Noise insulation
An essential component of in-car comfort is noise insulation and on the new 407 it is exceptionally good. Passengers can communicate easily as a result of high-quality seals, favourable aerodynamics, engines designed from the outset to be as quiet as possible and a range of other noise insulation solutions. Laminated side windows, available as standard or as an option according to versions, create a quiet interior ambience worthy of more expensive luxury cars.
Communication inside the car – “WIP” systems (World in Peugeot)
The WIP sound system is an audio system that allows playback of MP3 music fi les. It features new functions such as CD text and list mode. It has two analogue inputs making it possible to connect a USB Box system available as an accessory. A Bluetooth hands-free kit, available as an option, uses the different audio system functions.
The WIP Nav system (available in a few weeks time) is a telematics offer with a highly competitive range of features:
- Tri-tuner audio system.
- MP3 and WMA format CD player.
- Navteq GPS satellite navigation with cartography covering 40 European countries. It is stored on a 4 GB SD card. It has a traffi c information function with fi ltering and ‘detour’ function. Its ‘POI’ function covers a wide range of headings.
- Auxiliary RCA connectors for mobile radio equipment in the glove box.
- Compatibility with the USB Box ‘accessories’ unit available as an accessory.
The WIP Nav system comes with a 16/9 7 inch colour screen displaying the name of main roads up to a scale of 200 m. This offer, particularly attractive both in terms of functions and budget, should prove an attractive and appealing alternative to mobile equipment and offers the following considerable advantages:
- 1.5 ISO front panel perfectly integrates with the style of the vehicle,
- a valuable tamper-proofi ng,
- a large colour display showing colour cartography, in 2D or perspective view, with street names up to 200 m or any other available information, such as radio, CD, Bluetooth
- phone, trip computer, parking assistance data, air conditioning (with time delay),
- the choice of fi ve graphic ambiences allowing personalisation of the display,
- voice synthesis in seven languages,
- a simple control panel with the main Radio, Music, Traffi c, Navigation and Phone functions accessible directly by means of dedicated, clearly identifi ed buttons,
- controls on the steering wheel allowing the equipment to be used with a maximum of safety,
- a Bluetooth connection allowing calls to be made and received without any need to handle the Bluetooth mobile phone,
- traffi c info in France with the partner Via Michelin and, in the United Kingdom, with Traffi cmaster,
- at a later date, this system will allow points of interest to be downloaded, as well as risk areas monitored by fi xed radars.
The last advantage is by no means the least – the selling price to the customer is particularly competitive for a vehicle so well specifi ed.
WIP Com – a prestige offer with integral phone
This offer consisting of an MP3 audio system, a GPS system with all-inclusive European cartography and an integral GSM phone uses a 30 GB hard disc on which 10GB are dedicated to 180 hours of music in MP3 format, the equivalent of around 140 CDs, as well as a SIM card for the phone.
Compared to the WIP Nav system, this system provides in addition:
- the jukebox function,
- voice recognition,
- RCA video connectivity making it possible to watch a fi lm (with the vehicle at a standstill), in addition to audio functions,
- USB connectivity housed under the armrest. This allows the connection of a digital walkman to play or record data on the Wip Com system,
- Peugeot emergency services and Peugeot mobile services.
The Peugeot emergency service pinpoints the car’s location in the event of an accident and calls the emergency services automatically if a restraint device is activated, or does so manually when the SOS button is pressed (with SIM programmed to the device).
The WIP Com system is combined with a high defi nition 16/9 7 inch colour screen offering a display in 2D or perspective view.
WIP Com – a prestige offer with integral phone
New driving assistance systems Driving pleasure is further enhanced on the new 407. The front parking assistance system is combined with the rear obstacle detector to give the driver greater convenience during parking manoeuvres, as well as for extra safety. Acoustic warnings indicate the proximity of an obstacle that are now combined with visual
information in the multi-function display by means of coloured bars representing the distance of the detected obstacle.
This function can be de-activated as required by means of a button, thereby completely cancelling acoustic and visual information, if required. The very popular ‘cruise control/speed limiter’ function, already available on all versions as standard or as an option, now features new displays with magnifi ed pop-ups that keep the
driver better informed of the system’s various status parameters.
New controls under the steering wheel
The 407 will benefi t from a new set of controls under the steering wheel. This will improve access to different functions, particularly the automatic windscreen wiper which can be activated very simply by a toggle switch and automatic switching on of headlamps which has a dedicated position on the stalk.
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With 5 Euro NCAP stars in the test of adult occupants for the vehicle, the 407 offers good protection to its occupants thanks to the front structure with its double force distribution channel, its retractable steering and its genuine ‘interior shield’ consisting of high-performance means of restraint – up to nine air bags including a steering
column air bag, ‘active’ backrests preventing ‘whiplash’, seat belts that maintain and respect the body with fasten seat belt warnings. Specifi cally for child protection, two Isofi x seats can be installed in the rear side seats, while electrically-operated locking of the rear side doors and windows is available on most versions and de-activation of the front passenger air bag allows the installation of a rear-facing child seat.
The new 407 SW reaffirms its distinctive practical character
In addition to its elegant and dynamic design style and the exceptional brightness afforded by its panoramic roof (except on the entry level version), the 407 SW appeals at a practical level, whether for leisure use or to accommodate a variety of objects, due to its interior functions offering a multitude of ingenious solutions and its roof bars with their brushed metal finish.
The rear tailgate and rear windscreen can be opened separately as might be required. They provide access to a meticulously fi nished parallelpiped boot fl oor space. Its low-level protective chrome sill, its dimensions and its slide bars make this functional boot very easy to load, while its sealed side storage compartments and large
concealed storage area under the carpet above the spare wheel are intelligently designed.
When opened by holding down the dedicated button on the remote control, the rear tailgate glass provides access to the boot, independently of the tailgate, without revealing its contents. The clever load space cover provides easy access to the luggage compartment regardless of configuration.
The modularity of the 2/3-1/3 folding rear seats on all versions allow for a virtually fl at fl oor aligned with the boot. Combined with this modularity, the ski fl ap present on most versions or the ‘modular’ front passenger seat which folds horizontally onto the seat cushion, provide benefi cial solutions for the occasional transportation of long objects for leisure or other purposes.
Even more competitive for corporate fleets
The competitiveness of the 407 among corporate fl eets has been underlined by two prizes won in Germany in 2007:
In 2007 the 407 2.0-litre HDi FAP won the best imported car award for the least rate of breakdowns recorded up to 50,000 km by Dekra in Germany, representing excellent recognition the car’s build quality and reliability.
Also in Germany, the 407 won the ‘Firmenauto des Jahres 2007’ award in the medium range segment (M2) of imported cars. Combined with its maturity, the upgrades of the new 407 will provide a long-term basis for the benefi ts this car can offer to businesses.
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