Is it just us or does the new Peugeot 407 actually bear a remarkable resemblance to a Ferrari? Just take a look at that front grille. Spot the difference?
The gaping mouth could have come straight from the pen of an Italian designer %u2013 except that the 407 was actually designed in-house. Although both Ferrari and Peugeot use style house Pininfarina, there%u2019s officially been no collaboration.
Here's a model design that's really going to split the great British motoring public right down the middle. Forget BMW%u2019s Mr Bangle, the 407 will enjoy a 'love it or hate it' tag normally reserved for lovers with Marmite breath.
For me, there's no better view of this car than nose on. Unlike the lifeless 406, this new model looks sharp, purposeful and more aggressive than a rugger prop on steroids. The 407 couldn't have arrived soon enough.
The backside is pretty decent too %u2013 although from the side it could still just be mistaken for the outgoing model. The side view also reveals a massive front overhang which measures over a metre and houses pedestrian crumble zones. Peugeot is keen to pick up a good score in the next round of NCAP tests.
Long, low and sleek, you might think the new Pug is packed with space too. Not quite. Rear leg and headroom is surprisingly tight and the boot is smaller than the 406. At 407 it's way behind the class-leading Mondeo.
Up front, there are no such problems but that steeply raked windscreen might make taller drivers consider where their next company car is coming from. At least it's light and airy with good visibility.
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