307 gets a corporate grilling

Newswheel staff :: 30 May 2005 :: Filed under Cabriolet, Estate/Wagon, Hatchback, Peugeot, Europe & UK

[Click on an image to view]

Peugeot sacrifices 307’s style at the altar of corporate consistency

Hands up those who thought the Peugeot 407’s elephantine front grille was its finest stylistic feature…Nope, we didn’t think so either. So, we’re not crazy about the idea of grafting it onto the pretty 307 hatchback.

UK mag AutoExpress has bagged a copy of an upcoming marketing leaflet featuring pictures of facelifted CC and SW 307 variants. The images clearly show Peugeot has mercilessly transplanted the 407’s gargantuan grille onto the 307’s dainty visage. Achieving an instantly recognisable family “look” is a goal that has lead many a car company to commit unspeakable acts of vandalism on its products. And this brutal example of vehicular rhinoplasty is no exception. Due to be unveiled at Frankfurt in September, AutoExpress reckons the redesign is intended to give the ageing 307 a chance against new comers such as VW’s Golf and GM’s Astra hatchbacks. Sadly, it’s likely to appear across the entire 307 range, and no doubt will also feature on the all-new 308, expected in 2008.

Linkage:
AutoExpress story