Peugeot 307 Hdi
Peugeot are rightly proud of their environmentally friendly, particle filtered little 1565cc motor. Power is a very respectable 80kW @ 4000 rpm, with noticeable low end torque of 240Nm @ 1750 rpm. The engine is turbo charged with computer controlled direct injection and is compliant with Euro Spec IV diesel. NZ diesel is coming close to Euro Spec IV by the end of the year, so no problems there.
Putting the power to the road is the job of the 5 speed manual transmission, driving the front wheels. The shift is smooth, almost—but not quite—seamless, with medium ‘throw’.
Will 307 Hatch fit in your garage? The French are good at presentation and 307 is no exception. It looks smaller than it really is. 307 is a mere 4.21m long, 1.75 wide and 1.53m high, not quite in the super mini class (it leaves that to the sister 206 and 107). The 307 Hatch is compact and, at the same time, spacious.
Weight wise, the 307 tips the scales at 1325kg kerb weight. No GVW given but towing capacity is a maximum 1360kg braked. A highly respectable tow weight.
307 is fitted with 16” six spoke alloy wheels with 205/55R16 tyres fitted. These provide excellent grip and good handling. The full size spare is under the rear load space floor.
Suspension follows most other designs with the usual independent front, consisting of MacPherson strut with anti-roll bar. At the back a glimpse of French engineering at it’s best with deformable U shaped cross member located by two arms and a hollow anti-roll bar. Most drivers, including some of the Road-Tests.com team, would be hard pushed to tell the difference between this set up and coil spring / damper suspension. The verdict is that this suspension works fine.
Over the past 20 years Peugeot has come a long way in terms of design, engineering and, in plain terms, building very attractive cars. 307 takes the heritage and shifts it up a notch higher.
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