Fridae

The Peugeot 207 CC certainly ranks high on the list of possibilities as it resembles the American tennis legend. Note the car's features: big grille (mouth), huge headlamps (fierce determined eyes), chromed fog lights (bling bling earings), curvy roof (full-figuredness) and a perky bulging rear end (hips) all closely mimicking Serena's attributes. These are beauty aesthetics that makes Serena attractive, or so I assume.

Driving the 207 CC 1.6 A does not require much of Serena's incredible on-court powers, as the steering is light but crisp, especially at parking speeds. While its lightness might not thrill me, I am pleased to inform you folks that the 207 CC steers with the accuracy that the Williams forehand lacks.

Grunt is so important for tennis supremacy these days. The 1.6 litre VVT engine used on the 207 CC is collaboration between the PSA Peugeot Citroen group and BMW. Modern valve trickery engine management has brought Peugeot's petrol engine right bang up to date. Strong and revvy throughout the rev range, the 120 horsepower VVT engine on the 207 CC is willing, just like Serena's grunt on court - a battle cry worthy of a roman warrior. Considering the 207 CC being close to 1 and a half tonne, the 1.6 litre engine has done a fabulous job.

The Porsche developed tiptronic four-speed automatic gearbox is much improved and faster compared to the 206s and 307s which I had tested years ago. The gearbox on the 207 CC does the job just fine despite sounding dangerously old school.

Some bad news for Serena: despite of the rainy weather in Paris, she might still prefer to have the roof of the 207 CC open as a closed roof means having to endure a slightly knobbier ride. Considering the huge 17 inchs alloys the test car was wearing, the car rides better with the roof retracted.

Helping Serena in her 2008 French Campaign as she rides in her 207 CC is touch. Touch the interior of the 207 CC and you would know how hard the French engineers had worked on improving aesthetics/perceived quality of their cars. The chic French 207 CC has a lovely interior to help Serena relax after a gruesome match. She will also need not waste anytime figuring out the controls in the 207 CC as everything in the cabin is logical and ergonomically sound.

I would assume the Williams entourage would have other vehicles for their French conquest, as Serena would need help with all her tennis gear. The Peugeot will be challenged to hold that much gear in the boot, especially during when the roof is stowed away.

Speaking of roof, wouldn't this year's rain washed out days at the French Open be avoided if they had bothered with a retractable roof? The French 207 CC persists with a two-piece roof formula despite other manufacturers launching three, four and even five pieces roofs on their coupe-cabriolets. The predecessor of the 207 CC, the 206 CC would threaten to break Serena's Channel red nails every time she attempts to open the roof (a pair of latches needs some hand job before the roof can open). The new 207 CC's fully automated roof is a blessing for Serena's long fragile looking claws!

Should Serena have any friends supporting her at the match, they had better find some alternative mode of transportation as the Peugeot 207 CC's rear seats are more suited to transport tennis bags and other gear.

The 207 CC 's huge improvements over the 206 CC is obvious and will be appreciated. Serena will be happy with a new Pug 207 CC, will you?

Make	Peugeot
Model	207 CC 1.6A Coupe Cabriolet
Engine	Front, transverse, twin cam 16-ValveVariable Valve Timing 4 Cyls in line, 1598cc, Petrol
Transmission	4-speed Tiptronic automatic
Max. output	120hp@ 6000rpm
Max. torque	160nm@4250rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	12.6 secs
Top speed	193 km/h
Fuel consumption (combined)	5.7 L/100km (combined cycle)
CO2 emissions	155 g/km (Euro IV compliant)
Dimensions (L x W x H) /Weight	4,037x1,818x1,387
Price with COE*	$106,900*

*Prices quoted are indicative of prices in Singapore. Please contact your local distributor for prices in your country.