Fact File

* price quoted when tested 

Remember the Peugeot 605? Probably not, and it's a model Peugeot would like to forget just as quickly. Although a reasonably fine car after the initial problems were sorted out, the big Pug never made an impact.

So did Peugeot learn from their mistakes? Quite surprisingly, no. They almost flopped it again, and in Europe, perhaps has done just that.

The initial handling problem of the 607 was quickly identified by journalists at the European launch and was labeled "response delay." The 607, it seems, was reluctant to respond to driver inputs, with the result that the driver then steered some more. When the first inputs took effect, the follow-ups followed soon after with the result that drivers over steered the car.

Peugeot, however, was quick to find a remedy.

The V6 model is the only one available in South Africa. This model's suspension features telescopic shock absorbers with sport and auto modes. The driver can manually choose between these two options, but auto has nine different damper settings, providing a softer ride when cruising, while stiffening automatically for enthusiastic cornering.

According to Peugeot, changes to the auto setting have resulted in quicker automatic damper adjustments and the handling is now safer.

The 607 also has an integrated electronic stability program that links the electronic brake distribution, ABS, brake assistance, traction control, variable power steering and electric shock absorbers.

Sounds mighty impressive, but does it work? If you let the electronics do their work, yes, it will keep you out of trouble and, to a large extent, correct your mistakes. But it always feels as if the rear end of the car wants to go in another direction. Still, we're talking about really hard driving, and under most circumstances the 607 feels surefooted.

The steering is a bit of a problem though, since it's over-assisted and gives very little drive feedback.

Of course, in this class, what matters much more is status and how much attention you will attract. In this regard the 607 scores better than you'd expect. In South Africa you don't see the small 206 Peugeots at every corner, with the result that the marque's luxury cars won't suffer in the image-stakes that much. Over here the French Lion also has a very good reputation. So yes, it will get you noticed and the fact that it looks stylish and different can only help. The proportions are rather awkward though.

But it's the interior that will have people ooh-ing and aah-ing within seconds. The 607 is huge inside and equipped to the max. A full list of the standard equipment on this car would fill pages, but let's just say it offers everything you'd expect and much more. There are, for example, electrically adjustable seats in front with memory for the driver, electrically raised rear sunblind, tyre pressure sensors, individual left-right temperature settings for the climate control, folding rear view mirrors, parking assistance system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights that switch on under bad visibility.

At R304 030 you won't easily buy more space and luxury.

The design of the interior itself is also rather stylish, although the wood inlays and chrome strips can look a little too fake at times. With the layout of the controls you can't really find fault.

With regards to quality levels, Peugeot has made huge strides but Audi has no cause for concern just yet.  In what was perhaps an isolated problem, the test car's front left window stopped working and dropped into the door.

Opening up and peering into the boot of the 607 had onlookers swearing in disbelief - it's that massive.

Because the 607 makes such an impression of size and weight, we were rather anxious to see how the V6, 3,0-litre would cope.

The engine, also found in the 406, musters 152 kW at 6000 rpm and torque of 285 Nm at 3750 rpm. These figures compare well with cars like the new Toyota Camry 300 GLX and the Volvo S80 2,4T.

The 607 should top 230 km/h and dispatch of the 0-100km/h test in just under 10 seconds. Transmitting the power to the wheels is a ZF four-speed autobox with two settings and a Tiptronic-type facility for manual intervention. The gearbox responds reasonably quickly to what your foot is doing but is certainly not the best in this class.

The 607 is almost surprisingly accelerative and picks up speed rather deceptively. Also, overtaking is scarcely a problem. Just mash the throttle to the floor and whoooossh, there you go. Of course, driven like this, the 607's fuel gauge goes down pretty quickly, but overall the 607 impressed with its economy, averaging around 8 kilometres on a litre - a figure that can be stretched still further.

Competitors are easy to identify. The mentioned Volvo is one, but remains untested. Priced at a few thousand more is the BMW 530d manual, a car that is highly acclaimed overseas and for R40 000 more there's Audi's A6 3,0 Quattro Tiptronic.

The 607's main selling points are looks, exclusivity, space and luxury equipment.

It's also good value for the money, but we predict Peugeot won't be selling lots of these...

Tested - March 2000