Peugeot 207 GTi Review: Chilli Padi or Quick Blue?
The Peugeot 207 GTi can be had for nearly thirty grand less. Does it necessarily feel $30,000 cheaper, or is it better value when compared to the Cooper S?
But it isn’t as fun though, as our test car understeers excessively at the limit, where in the Mini, we were able to slide the car in and out of those turns, thanks to the chatty front and predictable nature of the rear end. The Mini felt noticeably heavier through corners despite near similar weight figures.
A sprightly corner exit in the Pug brings about a feeling of uneasiness. The way the weight of the semi-electric system changes from light to heavy through a corner, and that sudden, hefty feel makes for a very artificial at speed.
Lack of communicativeness and numbness aside, those who love the convenience of it all will love the unusual lightness of the Pug’s wheel while parking the car.
The rack of the Mini has a quicker ratio and is a whole lot better in terms of weight. It’s good, and doesn’t feel excessively twitchy, but rest assured a strong sneeze will send you flying into someone else’s lane if you’re not careful.
When push comes to (frontal) shove, both cars come to a stop faster than you can say “Chardonnay”, an expected trait of hot hatches in this class.
Both cars are also excellent cruisers, but the sixth cog of the Mini makes for a less raucous cruise, not to mention economical.
$96,900 buys you the GTI, and $125,000 the Cooper S. Like we said, thats nearly 30 grand worth the difference. For the extra money spent, you get better gearshifts and steering, hip “yuppie” styling fit for fussy metrosexuals of the 20th Century, and a car which commands a strong cult following.
If you aren’t concerned with all that, then I would have to say, the Peugeot 207 GTI does the job admirably well.
That nagging problem of understeer isn't much to think of, and is correctable by changing the tyre pressure and alignment settings. What matters in the end, is that the Pug makes you want to turn that wheel and push it hard and fast all the time. Tweak the shift action and steering a little and you are set for the winding road!
Credits: Text and Photos by Amery Reuben
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