Peugeot is hoping to build 300,000 units a year of its forthcoming Peugeot 407 due in the Uk in late spring of next year. The primarily fleet contender will be available initially as a saloon and later in SW form reminiscent of the shape of Vauxhall's Signum.

There will be a choice of four petrol engines from 1.8 to 3.0 litres, with Porsche Tiptronic transmission for all but the 1.8, while Hdi engines available at launch will be the Euro 1V 1.6 and the 136 bhp 2.0 mated to a six-speed manual box. In the future, the 407 will benefit from other HDi engines, in particular the 2.7-litre V6 HDi engine (DT17), the next stage in the Ford/PSA Peugeot Citroën development partnership. All diesel engines on offer for the car will include a particulate emission filter and those with manual gearboxes also comply with Euro 4 emission standards.

Peugeot is keen to promote the new car's driver appeal: the 407 chassis features a front axle with double wishbone suspension.