604, 605 and finally 607: the series with the number 6 at the beginning always mark the pinnacle of Peugeot's passenger car range. But their fate is unfortunately always the same: the sedans do not achieve high sales figures. This is also the case with their last representative, which came on the market 25 years ago.
The Peugeot 607 was produced from 2000 to 2010 and was the brand's flagship model for over a decade. It replaced the Peugeot 605, based on its chassis but not the Citroën C6 platform. As the world's first series-production diesel sedan, the 607 was equipped with a diesel particulate filter as standard. The design was by Murat Günak, who was also responsible for the Peugeot 206 CC and the Togg models.
The 607 has a front axle with two MacPherson struts and a separate stabilizer bar, while the rear axle uses double wishbones with diverging axles. The V6 versions are equipped with a damping system that is adjustable by wheel. Production significantly exceeds the 605, but commercial success is initially limited. Image problems and the lack of powerful diesel engines affect sales figures until the introduction of the V6 HDi. Despite its good driving, the 607 cannot stop the decline of the French luxury class, but its classic design is more successful than that of the Renault Vel Satis or the Citroën C6.
The Peugeot 607 was first presented in September 1999 at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt. After the failures of its predecessors 604 and 605, the focus was on a powerful and reliable vehicle with a modern design, high-quality interior and complete equipment to compete with established European models of the upper class. Production began at the Sochaux plant, and moved to Rennes at the beginning of 2009. The total cost of the project was 559,6 million euros.
The design is based on the Nautilus concept car, presented in 1997, and looks modern and aerodynamic. With its length of 4,90 meters, the 607 model exceeds its predecessor by 14 centimeters. The interior is simple and of high quality, the dashboard with a plastic surface imitates leather, the instruments are five round displays, including an on-board computer. Comfort for the driver and passengers is high, the rear bench seat offers enough space for three adults, and the trunk has a volume of 481 liters.
The 607 is equipped as standard with ABS, front and side airbags, ESP, air conditioning, CD radio and electric windows, while leather upholstery and a sunroof are available as options. The technology is based on the 605 platform, including front-wheel drive, MacPherson strut front axle and double wishbone rear axle. The braking system is made by Brembo. The wheels are initially 15 inches, but after critical reviews in the media they are increased to 16 inches, and later 17 inches are also available.
On the engine side, the 607 initially offered three versions: a 2,2-litre 16V petrol engine with 160 hp, a 3,0-litre V6 petrol engine with 207 hp and a 2,2-litre HDi diesel engine with 136 hp. In 2004, the model was updated with minor visual changes and the introduction of the V6 Bi-Turbo-HDi with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine uses two turbochargers with variable geometry, piezoelectric injectors and a diesel particulate filter that requires no maintenance for up to 200.000 km. Other engine options include HDi diesel versions from 110 to 270 hp and petrol engines from 160 to 211 hp.
Technical innovations set new standards: back in 2000, Peugeot equipped the 607 with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard. The functional reliability of the system was demonstrated by French driver Philippe Couesnon, who covered 500.000 kilometres in 355 days in 2001 with a 607 HDi DPF. The ADAC confirms the reliability of the filter. In 2003, the 607 was the first imported vehicle in Germany to be equipped with a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. In 2005, Peugeot introduced the V6-HDi engine, the first six-cylinder diesel engine in the company's history to feature a maintenance-free DPF system. In addition, the range for the V6 versions is completed by a sequential six-speed automatic transmission.
The Peugeot 607 Paladine is a special version. As the most spectacular and at the same time shortest presidential vehicle of the Fifth French Republic, it was chosen for Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. Based on a concept car presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000, Heuliez converted the more than five-meter-long 607 Paladine into a landaulet with a retractable glass roof for the rear seats.
The interior was designed by Hermès and fitted with blue and cream leather, a bar, two electrically adjustable armchairs and a folding seat. On May 16, 2007, Sarkozy drives it down the Champs-Élysées. Despite the interventions, the basic line of the 607 remains unchanged. The tank capacity is reduced to six liters, the weight increases the energy consumption, so the vehicle is soon withdrawn from service.
Production of the 607 ended in the summer of 2010 after 168.875 units had been produced. Alternative projects such as the W31 or W35, partly with coupé elements and Pininfarina design, did not materialize for economic reasons. Its successor was the Peugeot 508, which was longer than the 407 but shorter than the 607.
