FOR such a small car, the Peugeot 207 CC carries a huge burden on its shoulders.

For it replaces the 206 CC, which profoundly changed the convertible car market when it was launched in the UK just over six years ago.

For the first time, it brought a coupé-cabriolet with an electric folding roof out of the preserve of the luxury car market segment.

It became the best-selling convertible car in the UK for three consecutive years and with more than 360,000 built, it also became the world's best-selling small coupé- cabriolet.

So what has changed? The electric folding roof has a similar operation to the 206 CC, but is now entirely automatic - no more manual release handles. The only manual operation consists of pressing a button for 25 seconds, during which time the opening or closing cycle is completed; after all four windows have been lowered automatically.

Larger than the 206 CC, the new car also offers two rear seats, allowing one or two people - the smaller the better - to be carried in the back for a short journey.

Alloy wheels, sporty front seats, front fog lights and body-coloured door mirrors and handles all boost the sporty looks.

With the roof up, the 207 CC is a more than useful vehicle with a whopping boot space, but the whole point is to be able to whip the roof off at will. With the roof down, the little car looks a real stunner, but the complex folding roof fills up a fair chunk of the boot space, so shopping tends to end up on the rear seats.

The 207 CC is available with three engine options - 1.6-litre petrol models delivering 120 and 150 horsepower and a 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine producing 110 horsepower -and two trim levels - Sport and GT - with prices starting at under £15,000 on-the-road.

Peugeot has done its best to reassure people who might be worried at the lack of a roof, by fitting an active roll-over protection system, with two active rear roll-over protection bars, twin front airbags; two 'head-chest' side airbags located in the side of the front seats and a steering column airbag, designed to protect the driver's legs.

Standard equipment on all models includes air conditioning, electrically-operated and heated door mirrors, trip computer, ESP (GT models, optional on Sport models), anti-lock braking, driver and passenger seat height adjustment, steering column adjustable for reach and rake, electric windows, remote control central locking with deadlocks and electric power steering. With good looks and all that kit on board, the 207 CC is well placed to continue the fight for sales in the increasingly crowded coupé-cabriolet sector.

Auto facts Peugeot 207 CC GT

  • Price: £16,992
  • Ins group: 12E
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 39.2mpg
  • Top speed: 129mph
  • Length: 403.7cm/159in
  • Width: 197.2cm/77.6in
  • Luggage capacity: 6.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 11 gallons/50 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 171g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles