One of the pleasant surprises at this year's
Paris Motor Show was the Peugeot Spider 207, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the excellent
20Cup concept shown at last year's
Frankfurt Motor Show, though the Spider 207 has a more conventional number of wheels in comparison to the 20Cup's tricycle layout.
Peugeot's Spider 207 is no concept car either, as it is to be used in a one-make race series to support the Le Mans Series in 2007 amongst other Peugeot promotional events. A look down the specifications reveals that the Spider is race ready too, having been built to Automobile Club de l'Ouest rules that govern the LMP1 and LMP2 race classes.
Where the 20Cup stunned with its radical single rear wheel arrangement, the Spider is more traditionally good-looking. Ok, so the nose still features the opinion-dividing gaping mouth grille shape, but the rest is all good, especially the '70s Can-Am racer inspired rear end. It's not all about looking the part though, as Peugeot claims that the Spider produces significant amounts of downforce thanks to its flat floor and front and rear diffusers and despite the lack of a proper rear spoiler.
It shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to campaign the Spider 207, as Peugeot has attempted to use as many components from the regular Peugeot car range as possible, including individual suspension components and the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine the company developed in conjunction with BMW. In the Spider, this 1.6-litre unit produces 175bhp thanks to its twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve timing. Unlike the forthcoming 207RC hot hatch (possibly to be called GTi over here), the Spider employs a Sadev racing gearbox, with paddle gear selection and rear-wheel drive. We can only pray that Peugeot makes a road version, though it's highly unlikely!
Shane O' Donoghue - 6 Oct 2006