SMALL IS NOW THE NEW BIG
09 November 2005 - Peugeot

*Chevrolet Matiz versus the Peugeot 107

Due to personal financial constraints, higher taxation and fuel prices, congested roads and limited parking, the UK’s new car sales figures for 2005 show a general downsizing in vehicle choice both in the retail and company car sectors.

The small car sector in the UK now accounts for more than one in three new cars sold. This year there have been major additions to the small or city car sector and most volume manufacturers now have a small car offering such as the new Chevrolet Matiz and the Peugeot 107.

Chevrolet is GM’s budget brand positioned below Vauxhall, Saab and Cadillac. You might remember that Chevrolet is the name given to the Korean built Daewoo vehicles.

The Peugeot 107 is one of three cars sharing a common platform jointly developed and produced by Peugeot, Citroen and Toyota and manufactured in the Czech Republic. Peugeot also has the aging 206 and new 1007 ranges available to customers in the small car sector.

Priced from just £6,095 to £7,695 the credit card purchase Matiz range has three models which are all five-door small hatchbacks. The best buy is the middle of the range Matiz 1.0SE priced at £6,595.

The Peugeot 107 Urban range basically consists of two models, a three-door priced at £6,995 and the other a five-door costing £7,495. Unlike the Matiz the 107 has the option of an automatic transmission for an extra £500 and in this sector some customers will want this item. Much needed air conditioning costs £400 extra for the Matiz SE and £500 for the 107 Urban.

They go head to head with the previous European Car of the Year winner, the Fiat Panda and the flimsy Kia Picanto, the under-rated Daihatsu Sirion and now of course the joint project trilogy of the three and five door Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. They are all potentially of a similar price but you do need to check individual specifications, warranty and service packages to see which you feel is the best buy and of course which model offers the most convenient dealer option. The Mini, Vauxhall Corsa and new VW Polo are all similar in size if not price.

The new five-door Matiz is a vastly improved car over the previous Daewoo branded models. It is stronger, safer, better equipped, better looking and with potentially better residual values.

It is roomier than the Peugeot 107 and significantly cheaper but not as economical with fuel. It has an insurance group rating of 2E, low but still one group higher than the 107 Urban.

The Matiz SE is a well loaded package with specification that includes duel front airbags, five three-point seat belts 60/40 spilt fold rear seats, power steering, clock, radio/CD player with four speakers, rear roof spoiler, electric front windows, remote control central door locking and best of all, a three years warranty, three years free servicing and three years AA Total recovery. The five doors allow easy access to the rear for passengers whilst the fold down rear seats and tailgate allows for functional load and passenger carrying with between 170 and 845 litres of space.

On the down-side the quality of the interior is low rent, its quiet narrow for three child passengers in the rear, it rolls quite a lot during cornering and it is not a particularly pleasing car to look at but as urban transport it is good value for money.

The 1.0-litre, four-cylinder, 64bhp petrol engine is a willing performer and 50mpg on average should be achievable. A five-speed gearbox is standard and the top speed is 97mph.

I see this car appealing to older buyers running a perfectly adequate car on a limited budget.

MILESTONES: Chevrolet Matiz 1.0SE 5-Door. Price as tested £6,595. Engine: 1.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 64bhp. Performance: 97mph, 0-62mph 14.1 seconds, 50.4mpg, CO2 139g/Km (Band C £105 RFL): Insurance: 2E. For: real value for money, good warranty and service package. Against: Compared to the Peugeot 107 it looks old fashioned, it has poor handling and low rent cabin finish.

Now the Peugeot 107, although similar will appeal to younger buyers. Its looks are chic, the interior is trendy with similar trim and equipment ideas copied from the trendy Smart ForFour and the Mini. This car I see having more street ‘cred’ for youngsters and older female owners. The three-door version is too small even for a city car. Access to the very small rear seats is hopeless and the boot minute. The five-door model is a better option for an extra £500.

My test car was the three-door Urban with the 2-Tronic semi auto transmission, which is not pleasant to use, plus the car had air conditioning and metallic paint so the price is then £7,495. If you go for the same specification in the much more practical five-door layout, then the price is £7,995, a £1,000 more than the Matiz if you take of the cost of the auto transmission option.

So chic good looks and a much more jazzy interior does cost you more and the interior space is less.

The 107 has a much more modern three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 68bhp with a top speed of 100mph. The fuel consumption for a manual transmission model will be 61.4mpg and I gather 80mpg has been achieved. However the auto transmission on my test car destroyed the fuel economy and 36mpg was all the car achieved. Whilst driving into a strong headwind on a motorway, the gearbox could not even hold top gear with just with me in the car let alone passengers or luggage. The engine I know is a nippy, responsive performer with a nice throaty sound so opt for the manual transmission model.

I know it costs more but the overall interior quality, the exterior styling and the more modern engine and better handling, lower insurance rating gives the Peugeot 107 the edge – just but I have to admit neither car is for me.

Small or city cars are just too small even allowing for today’s limitations on road and parking space. If my budget were limited I’d rather buy a conventional low-mileage second hand hatchback. For similar prices you can pick-up hardly used dealer specials such as a Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3, Seat Altea, Renault Modus or even a Vauxhall Astra for very little more money. But then I’m old and youngster want new cars so I guess the 107 will get their vote.

MILSTONES: Peugeot 107 Urban 3-Door. Price: £6,995 or auto £7,495. Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol, 68bhp. Performance: 100mph, 0-62mph 14.9 seconds, 61.4mpg (manual), 36mpg auto (actual figure), CO2 109 g/km, (Band B £75 RFL), Insurance 1E. For: Chic good looks, jazzy interior, lively engine, high specification. Against: Interior too small, prone to unstable motorway ride in high winds, poor fuel economy from auto transmission.

Miles Better News Agency

www.peugeot.co.uk

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