Wednesday, 18 April 2012
First seen at the 2000 Geneva Autoshow, the big cat inspired Peugeot 607 Feline was designed at the La Garenne Design Centre.The 607 Feline is a 4.07 m long, 1.88 m wide, 1.19 m high wedge. The 2.58 m wheelbase allows extremely short overhangs which reinforce the car’s dynamic shape.
Usually concept cars are created to preview and perfect upcoming models. The 607 Feline didn’t follow this trend, since it was designed after the introduction of the 607.
The very latest technology is used in the form of a single-piece carbon fibre body structure, multiplex wiring and direction seeking headlights. This 607 is equipped with a 3.0 litre V6 (210bhp) petrol 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 shell is carbon fibre, 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.
The front mounted V6 engine is placed longitudinally behind the gear box. An innovative package which makes the very short overhangs displayed on the 607 Feline possible.
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.
Strictly a two-seater, this car is laid out with longitudinal power unit 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.
