Purchase advice Peugeot 607 – the upcoming classic
French feelings
Peugeot 607 3.0 V6
© press-inform – the press office
Meanwhile, Peugeot is a central part of the international Stellantis group. But once the brand with the lion head was at least a serious premium manufacturer in France with models like the 604, a 605 or even the 607. Many francophile car fans like to think back to it and miss the big limousines.
Luxury from France, with the numerous versions of the CX, was not only available from Citroen and the top models of the Renault 30. Peugeot in particular provided the president’s state limousine for many years and many top managers or celebrities did not necessarily climb into luxury models from Germany or England, but rather enjoyed the opulent luxury of limousines from Peugeot. It all began in long-forgotten history, but the Peugeot 604 and 605 were also classic European luxury sedans from the mid-1970s. Unfortunately, the level fell slightly with the final successor to the Peugeot 607. The 4.90-meter-long 607 was undoubtedly a luxury model for Peugeot, but if you used to scratch the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series or at least an Opel Senator / Diplomat, you were only traveling with a luxury class.
This does not affect the design of the Peugeot 607, because the lines were as usual worth seeing. If the 604 and its successor 605 with its angular, boxy shapes attracted attention in the city center of Paris as well as on the Cote d ‘Azur, where the beautiful and the rich admittedly preferred to drive Mercedes, Jaguar or Bentley, the 607 with its soft ones made a difference flowing forms a completely different image of a luxury sedan, which meanwhile only fought with the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class and thus a class below – and with blunt weapons against overpowering V8 windmills.
But this extravagance paired with the elegant design and solid technology make the Peugeot 607 an upcoming classic that hardly anyone knows about. Back then, the 607 made a name for itself not only with its chic design, but also with a technical feature that has long been an established standard today: the particle filter. The lion brand was the first manufacturer to offer the 607 as a diesel version HDI with FAP in 2000 – Filtre à Particules. In spite of all prophecies of doom, the reliability of the filter system was to be proven with an endurance test, whereby Philippe Couesnon managed to unwind 500,000 kilometers in an endurance test drive across Europe within 355 days.
The Peugeot 607 was particularly popular as an economical diesel and in 2005 received the long-awaited V6 diesel with a displacement of 2.7 liters. With its 150 kW / 204 hp, it had a maintenance-free FAP system for the first time. Far less convincing: the sequential six-speed automatic for the later top models. But as bad as it is, the very good 2.7-liter diesel should only have its place in the annals of European car technology, because the pollutant classification, which is poor by today’s standards, allows it to be parked outside in many cities and up to the saving H license plate it will be many more years. Therefore, the solid gasoline engines are usually the better choice when looking for an upcoming classic.
And here you should opt for the top model without further ado, because the weaker versions with 2.2 liters displacement are not worthy of a luxury sedan and 156 or 163 hp are simply not enough. Even the larger three-liter V6 with initially 207 and later 211 hp is not a dynamic miracle with its 285 Nm torque and especially the first years of production with a manual five-speed gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission are not convincing. Therefore, in any case, switch to one of the later models from 2006 onwards. The V6 runs smoothly and fits the Peugeot 607, which unfortunately is powered by the front axle. With the noticeable driving forces in the steering, however, you can always come to terms with casual cruising.
This is ensured by comfortable leather seats, heated and electrically extensively adjustable, as well as the generous amount of space at the front and rear. In terms of driving dynamics, the 607 has nothing to offer, but that’s exactly what makes it so charming. It bounces casually and relaxed over most bumps in the floor and so the occupants alone feel that the body rigidity is not the best. On long journeys, however, the French flagship is a blessing that also ensures a stylish appearance. And a motorway speed of over 220 km / h is always possible with subtle wind noise. The fact that the three-liter naturally aspirated V6 is not a food lover despite the manageable driving performance may hardly inhibit the buying incentive even with the 80-liter tank. If you are looking for a Peugeot 607, the comfort equipment and the equipment variant Platinum should be set. Electric leather seats, insulating glass, electric sunroof / tailgate and a sun protection blind in the rear that can be operated from the rear make the French luxury sedan what it really is. Among other things, eight airbags, ESP and plenty of crumple zones ensure safety.
In the German market in particular, the Peugeot 607 is offered almost exclusively as a 2.2 HDI and 2.7 HDI. With impressive mileage of more than 250,000 kilometers in some cases, very well-equipped Platinum versions hardly cost more than 4,000 euros. Those who want a diesel and are not afraid of the entry restrictions are well served with the 204 hp V6 diesel – if the maintenance history is correct. A 211 hp V6 petrol engine with identical equipment is difficult to find. Here it starts at 5,000 euros. But the offer is so small that a detour to the car stock exchanges in France or Switzerland can be worthwhile. The range is larger here – with similar prices.