The new Peugeot 207CC is a beautifully crafted vehicle.
With its sleek curves, compact build and sumptuous soft-top this car is a guaranteed head-turner.
But it’s not all about the looks — this Peugeot has all the state of the art accessories and safety features you could ask for.
And what it lacks in space in its rather cramped back seats it more than makes up for in its great handling and drive-ability.
The 207CC is a class E car, which means it will set you back around $945 when you come to licence it each year.
And as far as initial outlay you are looking at a price tag that starts at $51,000 if you pop down to Continental Motors on North Shore Road in Devonshire.
It is one of those cars that you fall in love with as soon as you get behind the wheel.
Unfortunately when I got in the 207 it was raining so there was no opportunity to take the roof down and cruise around in real style.
Apparently the top folds back into the boot at the press of a button in one smooth movement that takes no more than 20 seconds.
But when you get behind the wheel in the comfortable black leather bucket seats you feel like you’ve assumed a racing position.
The front seats are all about comfort.
They can be raised and lowered by pumping a lever down by your side.
And the steering wheel itself can be adjusted up and down as well as in and out – so you can achieve your perfect driving position.
It is old school in as much as it is a key start — none of this button ignition and fancy key that you get in Minis and BMWs.
Although the 207 does boast a keyless entry and has the added feature of automatic locking once you have driven off to keep everyone in the car safe and sound.
There are also front seat airbags for the driver and the passenger.
And if you can fit a couple of small people in the back seats — then they also have the benefit of airbags, which pop out from the frame of the car.
When it comes to actually driving this Peugeot it is incredibly smooth over the road surface and grips the tarmac well as you take in steep bends.
Because it’s such a robust compact little car it feels like it is in tune with the road.
Vision
You have great vision from the driving seat — whether the roof is up or down — owing to the extended windscreen and electric windows in the front.
The gear changes are seamless with the automatic transmition.
It is quite comfortable cruising along the roads in third and fourth gear, which makes it ideal for Bermuda.
And what is more if you fancy a change you can always nudge your way up and down the gears with the Step-tronic alternative.
There are plenty of little luxuries in this car too.
You can keep your drinks nice and cool in an air-conditioned glove box. There are even cup holders in the glove box to put your chilled beverage in too.
The glove box has one last little trick — it also contains an iPod adapter so you can stream your favourite tunes into the car’s CD stereo system.
The Peugeot 207CC has great temperature control.
Of course you can put the roof up or take it down depending on the weather.
But on top of this you also have dual air-conditioning in the front, which comes as standard with many Peugeots — and it allows the driver and passenger to control their own temperature.
If it is a cold morning or you have a spot of backache — then you’ll find a button on the side of the seat, which operates the seat warmer control.
Temperature control
There are three different levels of warmth to choose from and it is pretty remarkable how quickly your seat warms up.
Space is often an issue with a soft top — and it’s fair to say it would be a squeeze to get two little people in the back of the Peugeot 207CC.
Having said that, the front bucket seats give you loads of leg space and the trunk is surprisingly roomy.
Well that is until the roof folds away into it when the amount of space is effectively halved.
This nippy little car sports a few more funky features.
There is a parking alert system, which beeps to tell you how close you are to hitting the neighbouring car or wall.
While the rear view mirror has a nifty button that dims that lights of cars and bikes that steam up behind you.
The wing mirrors are remotely controlled from inside the car and the steering wheel boasts four paddles instead of the traditional two.
There are obviously the indicator and wipers levers — but you also have control of the speed limiter and the stereo at your finger tips also.
With the 207 soft top you get a central dashboard that tells you the time, temperature and date, as well as what radio station you are tuned into.
While the driver’s dash gives you all the usual bunff detailing speed, revs, fuel level and temp.
Venetia Stirling from Continental Motors said: “I would say this car suits a professional person or a couple whose children have grown up and left home.
“It has all the modern technology you need and it’s a fun car to drive around in, especially when the sun is out and you can put the top down.
“It’s obviously not a family car but would be perfect for people who are established in life and have always wanted a nice little sports car to drive around in.”