Five-star Peugeot 1007

A rewriting of the rules is how Peugeot last week described the award of a five-star Euro NCAP rating and maximum front impact scores for its super-mini 1007, due to be launched locally this summer.

This was the highest score recorded by a super-mini since Euro NCAP started testing cars in 1997. "The 1007 clearly sets the standard for the future," Peugeot said in a statement.

"The revolutionary design of the Peugeot 1007 not only gives its users unparalleled accessibility and modularity. It also provides class-leading all round protection for its occupants.

"The unique design of the structure and the fitment of a single electric sliding door on each side of the vehicle creates a structural barrier, providing protection in both a front and side impacts."

Unlike a conventional door, the electric sliding door provides a structural brace positively located in the door aperture. The structure of the 1007 has been designed to resist the severest of impacts but the protection provided does not stop there.

On all models the standard safety equipment consists of seven airbags, one of which is mounted on the steering column, anti-submarining seats, pre-tensioning seatbelts with force limiters and, for child protection, Isofix fixtures that comply with the new three-point fixing standards.

The new Peugeot 1007 has already picked up two prestigious automotive awards: Top Gear's Best Small Car 2005 and Autocar's Idea of the Year 2004.

"The 1007 has written a new chapter in the design of small family cars with its unique front electric sliding doors, class leading modularity and flexibility, and now the added benefit of receiving the highest ever Euro NCAP occupant protection rating and score for a super-mini," Peugeot said.

www.peugeot.com