We need to observe a minute’s silence, ladies and gents, for the passing of an automotive curio. Come to think of it, a minute’s whining of overworked electric motors would be more appropriate.
Because, for UK consumers at any rate, the Peugeot 1007 is no more. Cue the violins.
Peugeot UK has this week officially deleted the infamous sliding-doored supermini from its model catalogue. It has removed any vestige of the car from its website.
And since the only other right-hook market for the car is Cyprus, right-hand drive production of the car has ceased entirely. Probably for the best; the islands are notoriously hilly, after all, and the 1007’s heavy electric doors don’t work too well if you park on much more than a gentle incline.
The car will continue to be built for left-hand drive markets, of course, but even for those it’ll be a rare sight. Peugeot has made 110,000 units since it was launched in early 2005. Only 8000 have ever been sold in the UK, and this year’s tally is in the hundreds.
“It was a vehicle with premium features, priced beyond the reach of most supermini buyers,” said a Peugeot spokesperson, in an exhibition of diplomacy worthy of recognition by the UN. It was also a three-door, 3.7-metre car that weighed 1250kg. And the 1.4-litre diesel version was the slowest car that Autocar road-tested this century. It did 62mph in 17.2sec.
Still, there’s little joy to be gained from dancing on the car’s grave. If you’re an owner you may actually be pleased to find out that the rarity of your car on the second-hand market has been assured.
If you’re interested, you can pick one up used right now for just £3500. Should you? Well, I wouldn’t. But then I don’t deliver milk every morning.