February 17, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Little Peugeot 1007Õs electric power doors make it a parking wizard

By Neil Winton

LONDON, February 17, Graphic News:  YouÕre in a crowded city centre, desperate for a parking space. Round and round you go. Suddenly, yes, thereÕs one. ItÕs a bit tight but you just squeeze in with inches, or centimetres, to spare, and you congratulate yourself on the skill of the manoeuvre.

Unfortunately, the space is so skinny you canÕt actually open the doors. More determined motorists might think about climbing out through the sun-roof, but you quickly ditch that idea. You are forced to face reality, reverse out and continue your search, muttering curses about the thoughtlessness of other drivers who might have left just a little more space.

That aggravating scenario is shortly to become history. The Peugeot 1007, a two-door, four-seater people carrier from France, is the first small car to boast electric-powered doors. With a simple plip of the remote control, the doors will slide backwards, providing unrestricted access. The two doors add less width to the car than the wing mirrors, and remain within the carÕs length. ThereÕs a special device to make sure that when the doors are shutting they donÕt trap your fingers. Parking in the tightest of spaces should be a breeze.

The height of the car, 1.61 metres, and the much wider access provided by the electric doors -- the 1007 is really a mini-Multi Purpose Vehicle -- means that the car will be in demand by senior citizens.

Peugeot also claims the car has class-leading carrying flexibility. The 1007 can carry four people with not much luggage, two with plenty of load space, or one person and a maximum of 416 litres. The rear seats slide forward individually and fold in half, or double up to rest upright behind the two front seats. The front passenger seat folds in half. When there are four passengers and little luggage, the rear seats slide backwards to allow maximum leg room.

Another original idea, which might not be universally welcomed, is a mix-and-match interior. Every 1007 will have two sets of swappable trim panels, so that the look, mood and colour can be changed in minutes. Peugeot says that the interior can be switched within 15 minutes, without the use of any tools, if you can be bothered. There will be 12 trim kit choices, consisting of replacement trims for the seats, doors, rear side panels, air vents and fascia.

The 1007 goes on sale in Europe in May, reaching Britain in July. Prices are likely to start at 15,000 euros (£10,500).

There will be three engine choices -- a 1.4 litre 75 bhp petrol, 1.6 litre 110 bhp petrol and 1.4 litre 70 bhp diesel. The petrol engines can be coupled to a Ò2-tronicÓ gearbox which allows one automated mode, or you can choose a clutch-less sequential manual controlled by a stick, or steering wheel control paddles, just like Michel Schumacher in his Formula 1 Ferrari.

But unlike Mr Schumacher, you wonÕt have to jump out of the roof when you park in a tight spot.

/ENDS