ROY LEWIS road tests...

Peugeot 207 CC 1.6-litre156bhp Allure manual.

Price: £19,355 (on the road).

Top speed: 130mph.

0-62mph: 8.6 seconds.

Fuel: 38.1mpg (combined figure).

CO2 emissions (g/km): 170.

Verdict: Great looks, well designed cabin, clever folding roof, good to drive, safe, well equipped, cramped rear seats and small boot.

MOST people want a little more flair in their lives and when it comes to choosing a car the heart can often rule the head.

Take Peugeot’s 207 CC, a convertible with looks good enough to turn heads wherever it goes – with its clever electric folding roof up or down. Women, in particular, like the CC because it is so stylish and represents a fairly affordable route to owning a convertible.

Based on the superseded 207 hatch, the model will not tick all the practicality boxes for a growing family but it is a tempting package and motorists feel good driving it.

Considering the wealth of kit that comes as standard with the cars, prices are competitive and go from £16,800 for the 120bhp 1.6- litre VTi petrol in Active trim to £19,645 for the higher-specification 112bhp 1.6HDi in Allure trim.

There is also a 1.6-litre THP petrol unit which pushes out 156bhp and is available in both Active and Allure specifications while a more luxurious special Roland Garros edition is available with the 120bhp 1.6VTi engine and the 1.6 turbo diesel at £18,950 and £20,295 respectively.

The CC is not really a sports car but it is sufficiently eager and agile to make for a sporty drive.

The three engines in the range provide a good balance of power and efficiency while the suspension set up being on the firm side provides splendid composure for faster progress.

The suspension also remains supple enough to give a comfortable ride and in fact the emphasis is on comfort rather than on sporty progress.

The car holds the road well and its underpinnings are obviously strong and well put together as there is no hint of body flexion which can blight some convertibles.

With the added weight of the metal roof, the powerful 156bhp petrol motor is a favourite. Its overall performance looks impressive on paper with a top speed of 130mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.6 seconds, though it doesn’t feel so fast off the mark.

However, on the open road the engine shows its refinement with a very flexible nature and fitted with the well-spaced six-speed manual gearbox the car is a rewarding drive.

Of course, the trump card is the 25-second electric folding roof which retracts neatly into the boot. Unfortunately, the roof takes up valuable cargo space but manages to leave a decent size luggage area. Another drawback is that the rear seating is cramped and more suitable for children than adults.

But the interior is brilliantly done with plenty of embellishments to help make the inside more attractive. The dash is well designed and the controls all nicely to hand. The interior also feels solidly built and with the Allure model there is a premium and sporty feel with luxurious leather seats, an aluminium gear knob and leather-covered steering wheel. There are electric folding mirrors, 17in alloy wheels and rear parking aids.

As one might expect with Peugeot, safety is paramount with the car having gained a top fivestar safety rating in Euro NCAP tests. The CC boasts ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, two rear rollover hoops and driver, passenger, side and driver’s knee airbags as standard.

Actually, the 207, following on from the best-selling 206, should be a well-sorted model and any roof or other niggling problems should have been addressed.