Manufacturer Peugeot Body style 4-door sedan | Class Executive car (E) | |
 | ||
Production 1999–2010 (LHD)
1999–2008 (RHD) Assembly Sochaux, France (1999–2009)
Rennes, France (2009–2010) Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive | ||
The Peugeot 607 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Peugeot from September 1999 to June 2010.
Contents
The 607, along with the smaller 407, were superseded by the 508 in March 2011.
History
The 607 was launched in October 1999, to replace the already discontinued 605. It used its predecessor's chassis but had an all-new, more modern exterior design. The engine range (2.2 and 3.0 petrol, and 2.2 diesel) was completely new. Equipment levels were also high, with all models getting air conditioning, CD player, electric windows, 8 airbags, anti-lock braking system, tire-pressure monitor and central locking as standard. Available AMVAR nine-stage electronic damping control.
Motoring journalists, such as Jeremy Clarkson, disliked the 607. They claimed it had handling that wasn't up to Peugeot's usual "good" standards. In December 2000, in The Sunday Times, Clarkson profoundly claimed it was the worst car ever made. This was even worse than the Peugeot 807, which he rated almost as badly.
In France, its home market, it was often chosen for official usage. This was particularly as Renault's Vel Satis was considered too unconventional. The once world class Citroën, preferred by French Presidents from Charles DeGaulle to Jaqcues Chirac, was rebranded as an purveyor of "indistinct subcompact cars, that are noteworthy for their pricetag".
Taxi versions
The 607 is frequently used as an taxi in France; Portugal uses them as airport taxis in Faro Airport; these versions are usually 3.0 V6 or 2.2 HDi versions; the Benelux countries also use them as well, but less frequently at airports.
Facelift
The 607 was restyled in November 2004, with the most notable modifications being the new front end and the 2.7 HDi V6 engine, capable of 150 kW (204 PS; 201 bhp), mated to a new 6-speed automatic gearbox, which is now also available on the V6 petrol model.
During 2008, the 607 was withdrawn from the United Kingdom, owing to poor sales.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
The Peugeot 607 Paladine is a special Landaulet version of the 607 which was developed and built in 2000 in cooperation with Heuliez, as a concept car. The engine is the 3.0 V6. It is lengthened by 500 millimetres (20 in) (making it more than 5 m (200 in) long), and the rear part is equipped with a retractable metallic roof similar to the Peugeot 206's or 307's CC. It is a one-off design.
The special leather interior was developed in cooperation with Hermès.
The car was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000. It was first used seven years later by then–French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his inauguration on May 16, 2007. Meanwhile, the car had been retrofitted in accordance with the 2004 restyling of the 607 (updated front part).
Successor
In November 2009, Philippe Varin from PSA announced that the successor of the Peugeot 607 would not be called the Peugeot 608, but instead the Peugeot 508. The 508 replaced the smaller Peugeot 407, which lost sales fast during the period 2008–2009.