Small automatics are not usually the kind of thing to get excited about, but there's a definite market for them, and the Peugeot 207 auto is a fine example of the type. In fact, of all the 207s I've driven so far, this might just be my favourite.I must admit I undertook this test out of a sense of duty, rather than because I really wanted to do it. The error of my ways became apparent very quickly, as the 207 proved to be a charming little car.This is largely because of the automatic gearbox itself. It's a simple enough unit, with just four forward gears, but it's the way it operates that makes the difference. For a start, it slides from one gear to the next with admirable smoothness, even - in the unlikely event that any owner will feel the need to do this - if keep your foot flat on the throttle pedal right up to the revlimiter.The driver can also select which gear he or she wants to use in any given situation. This doesn't mean that if you select, say, third, the box assumes that it can choose from third, second or first. If third is what you pick, third is what you get, unless you either accelerate beyond the normal rev range or slow down to within stalling speed, in which case the electronics will select a more appropriate gear.A small point? No, not really. It means that, compared with more conventional automatics, the driver has more control over the car. That's unless you want to leave the gearbox to make its own decisions (definitely the better option in town or gentle country motoring). If you do this, it makes changes that you hear rather than feel. A high-quality system, no question.And here's another thing. Every 207 I'd driven prior to this one had been a high-performance model of some sort, and they all had terrible ride quality along with handling which was questionable every time you encountered a less than ideal road surface. The 1.6 SE automatic is much, much softer, and it rides beautifully. It's also better-equipped to deal with undulations and potholes.Among other places, I drove this car over the same hill roads in Derbyshire and Staffordshire that I'd tackled in the ultimate 207, the GTi THP 175 (see road test). The automatic was, of course, a great deal slower. But because of its more compliant set-up it was also - cover your ears, child - a lot more satisfying. I'm not suggesting that the two cars are in any way rivals, of course, but you get the point.The SE auto is also splendid in urban situations. All 207s have a power assistance system which gives very light steering, and it can sometimes feel overdone in the quicker models, which accordingly don't have as much "feel" as they might do.That "feel" is hardly an issue in a car like this one. The more important point is that you can manoeuvre it even at very low speeds - in a car park, for example - with no more than gentle finger pressure. It's difficult to imagine any driver, no matter how inexperienced or suffering from confidence issues, who would have any trouble with this car in town.The test car's five-door body gave a couple of important advantages over the three-door alternative. First, it makes it easier to get into the back - well, obviously. Second, it means there's more glass area behind the driver, which in turn means that rear visibility isn't as dire as it is in the three-door. Still not great, though.Interior space issues are the same as they are in all other 207s. Taller drivers will find that the footwell is a bit cramped, and considering the overall size of the car there isn't a great deal of room in the back - it's fine for transporting sprogs, less so if you need to take adults anywhere. As I've said before, it's disappointing that these matters were not better dealt with in the changeover from the 206, which had exactly the same problems.Performance is perhaps not a major issue for potential buyers of the SE auto, but for the record it's more than adequate. This car inevitably suffers in comparison with the manual version, but 0-62mph in under 13 seconds and a top speed of 122mph are good enough. The combined fuel consumption figure of just over 40mpg is okay too, and likely to be achievable as long as (a) you resist the temptation to screw all 120bhp out of the engine and (b) you don't spend all your time driving in town.The £13,622 list price was enhanced in the test car by nearly £3000 thanks to several extras. By far the most expensive of these was the combination of colour-display satellite navigation, a GSM phone, a JBL audio system with 5-CD autochanger and a fragrance diffuser. That lot costs £2070, and I'm not sure that many SE auto buyers will require everything that the package provides. Still, it's there if you want it.Metallic paint adds another £350 to the bill (and you might well get that back at resale time), while a further £250 buys you a rear parking sensor system, which is probably the most sensible item of the lot. Engine 1598 cc, 4 cylinders Power 120 bhp @6000 rpm Torque 120 ib/ft @4250 rpm Transmission 4 speed semi-auto Fuel/CO2 40.3 mpg / 167 g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 12.7sec Top speed 122 mph Price From £12876.00 approx Release date 01/03/2007
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