2011 Peugeout 207 CC review

Peugeot 207 Convertible Coupe

Peugeot 207 Convertible Coupe road test

By Tim Saunders

Innovators are admired for their revolutionary ideas.

Take the impressionist painters Monet, Degas and Renoir, avant-garde designer Vivienne Westwood and ‘60s pop groups, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for example. Each had their own unique concept which made them famous.

2011 Peugeout 207 CC

Peugeot manufactured the first folding hard-top in 1934

In the world of motoring, Peugeot is claimed to have manufactured the world’s first retractable hardtop, which was fitted to its 402 BL Éclipse Décapotable in 1934. In the same way that those talented artists successfully stood out from the crowd, Peugeot was able to stake its claim on a fresh new, user-friendly and enjoyable approach to open-top driving that instantly set it apart from its rivals.

Over the last 80 years Peugeot has improved this concept, which can be found on both the 207cc and 308cc. Other manufacturers have even copied it such as Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Peugeout 207 CC interior

207 CC is a stylish and well equipped small convertible

A metal hood is far more user-friendly and hardwearing than a traditional soft top because of the rigid construction that is completely watertight and more secure. When it‘s up you feel as if you‘re in any other small coupe. You don‘t need to worry about replacing it every 10 years as you might with a fabric roof. As soon as that sun appears it‘s simply a matter of flicking a switch and watching the hood retract. One disadvantage is that it has the effect of reducing luggage capacity.

A distinctive feature of the tested 207 cc GT is the chrome hoops above the rear passenger seats: “These are self-actuating strengthened safety hoops, in the event of the vehicle being rolled over, for the protection of the occupants,” explains Peugeot spokesman, Craig Morrow.

Peugeout 207 CC interior

Travelled 600 miles on a tank

Considering it‘s a 1.6 litre petrol, there‘s reasonable economy – it almost travelled 600 miles on a tank and it was also pretty quick.

Parkers, the car experts say: “The 207 CC is a stylish and well equipped small convertible that won‘t leave you cold in the winter. It uses a fully automatic metal folding roof with no levers or catches to release, so at the push of a button it‘s a convertible 25 seconds later. There are two seats in the back, but as they‘re small and there‘s little legroom, they‘re really just for show and only any use as extra luggage space.”