Peugeot 207cc gets lovey-dovey for Valentine's

Nasim is having a promotion for its cutesy lifestyle coupe-cabriolet, the 207cc, from 11^th -14^th February 2009. Every confirmed booking with a RM1000 deposit will entitle a pair of lovebirds to dine at the Bubba Gump Shrimp & Co Restaurant at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. These lucky couples will also get premium chocolates and a bouquet of roses each, provided they sign up for a 207CC at Peugeot�s roadshow display at the Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur before 12 noon on 14^th February 2009.

The Peugeot 207CC comes with the EP6 1.6L engine, equipped with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and develops 120hp. Priced at RM158,888 (OTR), it is one of the most affordable brand-new coupe cabriolets available in Malaysia currently. Coupe cabriolets are actually convertibles which do not use canvas for top cover but employ a folding metal roof instead. In addition, the 207CC is also one of the safest cars in its class, with a full 5-star EuroNCAP crash test rating.

For more info, call Peugeot Careline at 1-800-88-6292 or log on to www.peugeot.com.my for further details.

Topless Driving: Peugeot 207cc

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Cabriolets and roadsters were pretty much like Caviars to me. Yes, they are an acquired taste and a premium one at that. Unnecessarily pricey, in a smaller package (read: less value-for-money) and representing a lifestyle statement to the elite-strata of the society (locally at least). This breed of automobiles is also mostly unpractical in our tropical, equatorial heat and hardly blends well with our sticky, humid climate.

My perception of things (not of the rising crime rates in Malaysia though) has changed when I took home the VW Eos a few months ago. Strangely, I enjoyed drop-top motoring very much since then but I have ransacked my clinic's stock of sunblock more than a couple of times! Just for the record, anything with SPF 30+ or 35+ will do, no need to splurge extra cash on the heavy duty stuffs, unless you are into surfing off the coast of Port Dickson, Langkawi or Bagan Lalang for that matter.


Which brings us to this petite topless feline called the 207cc. I have always fancied the slanty eyed Pugs ever since the 206, 307, 407 et al. This trademark design gets carried over here with even sharper accentuation, paired with an even more gaping mouth diplaying a wide (friendly? or is it feisty?) grin. It's a happy Peugeot alright. The driver is mostly happy too with the tight feel of the car on the road. The 207cc simply felt very solidly bolted together, even with the top down. Decent road manners, great ride pliancy despite a short wheelbase, comfy seats and minimal rolling noise from those grippy premium Conti rubbers. However, the 207cc' Archilles heel has to be its drivetrain. Dont' get me wrong, it's responsive and ever trying to please. But with only 4 'auto' gears, mostly shifted into cog '2' manually, I was yearning for more grunt. Its lovely chassis - which was superbly Conti-esque stable at its triple digits Vmax - simply deserved more horses and torque. The turbocharged lump from the 308GT THP175 (and new New Mini Cooper S) would do nicely here, I reckoned.



Now comes the dicey part: overtaking in a 207cc. It's a daunting task really, waiting for ages for pace to built up and securely pass the car up front. With oncoming traffic on the opposite looking more menacing more often than it should, I guess this is indeed as a local Peugeot (and a close friend) guy puts it: " A lovely boulevardier of a coupe-cabriolet". MidValley Boulevard anyone? Bintang Walk? Heritage Row? Bangsar, Hartamas, Mont Kiara? Now I get it. Serious.

Peugeot Racing Party in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nasim Sdn Bhd (NSB), franchise holders of the Peugeot marque in Malaysia, announced its latest marketing initiative Peugeot Privilege at an exclusive Peugeot Racing Party held recently at the newly refurbished Peugeot show room on Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

150 invited guests at the Peugeot Racing Party saw the Peugeot brand kicking off a dynamic year-long line-up of attractions and activity to signify its re-emergence in the Malaysian market. The party was NSB's gesture of appreciation to members of the media and also to mark its interest with the Malaysian motorsport community. On display were the stylish 207cc, the race ready spider 207 and also a cleverly mocked-up 206 to look like a WRC car, amidst an evening of racing face-offs, entertainment and butler-served canapes.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Peugeot Privilege Card by SM Nasarudin SM Nasimudin, Director of Nasim Sdn Bhd (NSB) and Mr Dominique Dourouze, Director-General ASEAN of Peugeot.

"We wish to thank Peugeot owners with this special privilege," said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimudin, Director of Nasim Sdn Bhd (NSB). "Add to Peugeot Privilege one of the industry's most exciting product line-ups, award-winning quality and performance leadership, and you have an unbeatable value and a great reason for Peugeot ownership."

The Peugeot Privilege is an owner loyalty programme that rewards current Peugeot owners with competitive packages and offers. Peugeot Privilege membership is complimentary to all current owners of any Peugeot vehicles, offering attractive services and programmes engineered to complete Peugeot owners' enjoyment of their vehicle. A Peugeot Privilege careline offers quick and easy services such as free towing services for breakdowns, as well as assistance in locating the nearest Peugeot Service Centres.

�Once a Peugeot owner joins the Peugeot Privilege fraternity he or she can be sure that he or she will enjoy privileges and offers that are commensurate with the Peugeot brand.� Says Nasarudin. Immediately, those with Peugeot Privilege will be entitled to a 10% discount from the retail prices of selected spare parts. This is the first step that NSB is taking to help Peugeot owners reduce ownership costs.