Blog

The French auto manufacturers have truly been on a roll over the last few years, steadily shedding their reputation for poor quality and really pushing the limits in terms of technology and style. Witness the Peugeot 206 – it is now the best selling car in Germany, knocking the VW Golf off the number one spot it has held for time immemorial.
The C-segment is a crucially important one for volume manufacturers in Europe. In addition to huge fleet sales (company cars are very common in Europe), C-segment cars like the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 406 represent massive private sales as well. Volume manufacturers also tend to put their latest and greatest technological and styling innovations into these cars.
The Peugeot 407 Elixir strongly hints at the 406’s replacement. Though this concept car is configured as an unusual two door wagon/crossover/whatchamacallit, many of the styling themes shown here will be seen in the production 407, which will be offered as a 4-door sedan and station wagon, like the 406.
In fact, the Elixir’s styling from the A-pillars forward is very close to the actual production 407, which will go on sale for the 2005 model year. The look is rakish and elegant – and unmistakably Peugeot. Peugeot has definitely created a strong family look over the last few years, and the 407 properly builds on that look.
The concept is powered by a 200HP 2.7L turbodiesel V6 equipped with Peugeot’s latest regenerative particulate filter system (it cleans itself), which ensures indefinite clean running. The French have been diesel technology pioneers as of late, and this diesel V6 looks to continue that trend.
Based on this concept, the 407 will undoubtedly be a elegant-looking car that helps Peugeot ensure its continued success in Europe.