Peugeot 307

Lore & Background

The 307 was announced as the 307 Prométhée prototype at the 2000 Mondial de l'Automobile. Production hatchback versions reached European markets on 26 April 2001. The car used a reworked 306 platform, also found on the Citroën Xsara and the 1991 Citroën ZX, but was larger in every direction. Its styling continued the design language first seen on the Peugeot 206 and Peugeot 607, departing from the Pininfarina themes of previous generations. The 307's height of 1510 mm placed it between typical small family cars and compact MPVs, leading some to consider it a low compact MPV rather than a tall small family car.

In June 2005, the 307 received a facelift with revised front lights, a new bonnet, updated instrument cluster, and a larger air intake replacing the trademark grille between the headlights. Body styles included three- and five-door hatchbacks, two estates (the 307 Break and 307 SW, the latter with a panoramic glass roof and optional third-row seats), a cabriolet with retractable hardtop (307 CC, launched August 2003), and a four-door saloon for emerging markets (launched in China in June 2004). The 307 was also sold in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Mexico in 1.6 and 2.0 petrol versions. In Brazil, it was offered with 1.6 and 2.0 flex-fuel engines.

Reader's Guide

The Peugeot 307 holds significance as a European Car of the Year winner that bridged the gap between traditional hatchbacks and compact MPVs with its tall profile. Its engineering and design influenced Peugeot's subsequent models, though its legacy is mixed. The 307 WRC, based on the 307 CC, replaced the championship-winning 206 WRC in the World Rally Championship for the 2004 season. Despite transmission problems and handling characteristics that did not suit the works drivers' styles, the car achieved three WRC victories and 26 podiums, with Marcus Grönholm winning Rally Finland in 2004 and 2005 and Rally Japan in 2005. The car is also remembered for the fatal accident of co-driver Michael Park during the 2005 Wales Rally GB. The 307 was raced in the World Touring Car Championship, British Touring Car Championship, Stock Car Brasil, TC2000, and Danish Touring Car Championship. Reliability was a point of contention: the 307 featured at the bottom of the German Automobile Club breakdown statistics for 3- to 5-year-old small family cars in 2009, though the 2005 facelift and 2006/2007 models were referenced as more reliable. A diesel-electric hybrid prototype was announced in January 2006 but never reached production.

Did You Know?

• The 307 WRC took three WRC victories, all driven by Marcus Grönholm.
• A diesel-electric hybrid prototype for the 307 was announced in January 2006 but was not intended for sale until at least 2010 and remained stillborn.