Geneva motor show - Peugeot

Savour the newest GTi
The names 'Peugeot' and 'GTi' have a magical quality about them and here in Geneva we have the first chance to see the latest incarnation of that combination - the 207 GTi. It goes on sale in the UK this summer from around £15,000.

This is a direct rival to the Clio Renaultsport 197 and, on paper at least, it promises to be a close battle.

The 207 GTi is powered by a 1.6-litre engine - developed in partnership with BMW - which has 20bhp less than the Clio. That means it's slightly slower in the 0-62mph dash - 7.1sec compared with the Clio's 6.9sec, but the 207 will be cheaper and more economical.

How is the GTi different from the rest of the 207 range?
A roof spoiler, special 17-inch alloy wheels, trapezoidal exhaust, tinted windows and chrome door mirrors all set the GTi apart from other models in the range.

Suspension settings and the brakes and steering are all upgraded for sportier driving, and stability control is standard.

The cabin has four buckets seats, lined with Alcantara in the front, and there are six airbags to minimise injuries in the event of a collision.

Other standard equipment includes reversing sensors, cruise control and automatic headlights and wipers, but air-conditioning could be an option on the sub-£15,000 version.

What do you think?
We ran an online poll recently asking readers which car they preferred - the hot 207 or the hot Clio - and almost two-thirds of respondents said the 207 looked the better car.

Are there other 207s?
Yes, there is the 207 CC. What Car? readers have already had an exclusive preview of the car. To find out there views click here [insert video link].

There's also the 207 SW Outdoor Concept that is a pretty strong indication on how the 207 SW will look like.

Escapee from the Porsche stand?
No, this isn't a watered-down Porsche Cayenne, it's the 4007 - Peugeot's first off-road foray. It's based on the new Mitsubishi Outlander and, if you are at the Geneva Motor Show, you can also see Citroen's version of the same car, the C-Crosser.

There's also a blinged-up version of the 4007, styled by gunmaker Holland & Holland. Despite 20-inch alloy wheels and 'Hegenias' bronze paintwork dressed in waterproof leather, Peugeot says the car isn't ostentatious. Take a look in our gallery and make up your own mind.

To see video footage of the Peugeot stand, click here.