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• Peugeot 607 Feline

Peugeot 607 Feline

THE 607 FELINE The dream of "a car which is always a pleasure."

The bonnet line of the Feline, its look and the big air intake of its skirt, with extra headlights housed at each corner, reflect the modern design of the saloon. At the rear, too, the treatment of the lights and upper line of the boot lid are reminiscent of the 607. This completely new roadster is based on an original concept consisting of a heat-insulated "bubble" with hydrophobic windscreen, doors without side windows and a rear window, all sliding.

The rear window can even be removed completely by a simple rotation to make an open car. This "coupÚ-cabriolet" also draws on the automotive tradition of flaunting a sporting pedigree by more powerful proportions than ordinary body shells. Here it is done by a long bonnet covering the longitudinal power pack at the front, and a two-seater passenger compartment in a deliberately rearward position.

This tradition is also reflected in the treatment of the big wheels fastened by a central bolt and the design of the tyre tread Past, present and future come together in a style to which the latest technology contributes logically in the form of a single-piece carbon structure, multiplexing and directional headlights on dipped beam.

The 607 has a V6 engine, radical double A-strut suspension, front rocking levers and a flexible cross-member at the rear, confirming that this is a unique and eminently drivable modern car. The 607 Feline is 4.07 m long, 1.88 m wide and 1.19 m high. The 2.58 m wheelbase leads to extremely short overhangs which reinforce the car's dynamic shape. Weight is 875 kg.

The shell is carbon, made in a vacuum from aircraft-type honeycombed panels. Linked to the axle assembly at the front, it covers the passenger compartment and body essentials, stopping just in front of the axis of the rear wheels. A separate, fixed hoop of the "bubble" contributes to overall rigidity.

Strictly a two-seater, this car is laid out with longitudinal power pack to the front and five-speed manual gearbox forward of the engine. The six-cylinder engine is a 2946 cc 60¦ V with output of 152 kW (210 bhp). It has variable timing at intake, four overhead camshafts and twenty-four valves. This mechanical layout produces little polar inertia and ensures near-perfect weight distribution between the front and rear axles.

The power pack is directly fastened to the carbon superstructure. The gearbox can accommodate a controlled differential and its casing supports the front differential shaft assemblies which each consist of two superimposed A-struts, an arm with rocking lever connecting to a longitudinal spring/damper unit and the steering rack.

The front axle is also directly connected to the superstructure. It consists of a compact flexible cross-member, two longitudinal and horizontal arms, a Panhard bar and lateral spring/damper unit.

The brakes are carbon discs 355 mm in diameter, 30 mm thick. The Brembo stirrups have four pistons.

The central-bolt wheels are light alloy fitted with Michelin Pax tyres usable when flat. The tyre is a custom fit of external diameter 730 mm and tread width 245 mm.

Among this dream car's style features are the innovative headlights, a design patented by PSA Peugeot Citroen Group. The dipping function is provided by nine moving prisms dependent on steering speed, steering wheel angle and the speed of the vehicle. The prisms are supplied by fibre optic cables. The light source is offset from the headlights to save space. The indicator lights each consist of three optical bars lit at the ends. The extra headlights can emit "black" light to show up road markings better. The steering course function is provided by two complex surface parabolas and two H7 bulbs.

For access to the car interior, the doors slide almost entirely into the front wings. The windscreen also moves 50 cm on its wide frame between the passenger compartment and the bonnet while the "rear bubble" moves back 12.5 cm. To preserve the upholstery, each seat squab can be lifted to provide a surface to accommodate shoes.

The windscreen and rear bubble are longitudinally adjustable if required. The rear bubble stows away completely into a fixed housing between the passenger compartment and the boot. There is no transmission, suspension or awkward rear wheel here, which has left room for luggage in the boot. It is therefore possible to drive with the opening sections closedor open. These changes are achieved by a remote control which works via an intelligent electronic control cabinet. Multiplexing co-ordinates the various actions and fail-safe devices protect both the user and the mechanisms.

"Getting into the car" is a new experience. The interior of the 607 Feline houses two people on adjustable seats integrated with the structure. Their red leather trim matches the rest of the passenger compartment. The dashboard is soberly finished and consists mainly of two round dials, the separate controls of the automatic air conditioning and a central medallion associating the Feline with the 607 saloon. The driver has adjustable pedals and steering wheel. The remote control can also be used to control the radio and telephone.

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