Press Release
Passive Safety
Consistent with active safety of the highest order, the 407 Coupé offers passive safety of a similarly high level. For example, this car follows the example of the sedan with a front impact protection structure (upper and lower) that distributes energy effectively through the engine compartment in the event of impact. Similarly, the steering column is retractable over a distance of 80 mm and an impacter limits rearward displacement of the engine in the event of a head-on collision.
For side impact, the special constraints of the coupé silhouette required the adoption of special side reinforcements, such as a monobloc door sill stiffener and the installation of three “impact” tubes in each door and a system which attaches the lower part of the panel to the side member.
The 407 Coupé is equipped as standard with seven air bags, including two front air bags, two front side air bags, two front/rear curtain air bags and a steering coloumn air bag.
In addition, each passenger has a 3-point inertia reel seat belt. At the front, the seat belts incorporate force limiters set to 450 daN, and they are height-adjustable. A fasten seat belt detection system is installed in the front seat cushions. Force limiters for the rear seats are set to 600 daN. Also at the rear, each seat is equipped with 3-point ISOFIX fi xtures. The active front head restraints are equipped with a locking system, thereby further helping to protect passengers from whiplash. Overall safety has not been neglected, with in particular “suitcase” handles that can be released more easily in the event of impact, a system disconnecting the electrical power supply, illumination of the hazard warning lights and the unlocking of doors. Security is also a priority on the 407 Coupé, with the addition of a new type “S3M” door lock on the driver’s door. Fitted on both doors are cable connections between the lock and the door controls. The door locks uncouple automatically if attacked, and a special steel plate protects the lock/control mechanism and electrical harnesses, installed between the door panel and the door trim. The striker of the boot tailgate is also protected by a steel plate. The fi tment of fully laminated side windows and an optional alarm system, adds further protection to the occupants and the car.
Driving assistance
This elegant car is also practical to use whatever the circumstances. For example, on all versions, the electric door mirrors fold and deploy electrically and an electro-chrome interior rear-view mirror is also standard.
To facilitate parking manoeuvres, the rear parking sensors featured on all coupe versions are enhanced by the fitment of front obstacle detectors. The system comes with an audible and visual indicator ensuring a margin of 30 cm from the detected obstacle.
Also, all versions feature automatic activation of the dipped head lamps. The single dual function headlamps include dipped beam and main beam and are fitted with Xenon discharge bulbs. Between the bulb and the “ellipsoid” glass of the headlamp, a controlled “mask” controls both functions, with the changeover from dipped beam to main beam occurring gradually. An automatic headlamp levelling control system and high-pressure headlamp washers complete the specification.
Taking a quick look at these headlamps in greater detail, they become directional as soon as the vehicle exceeds 5 km/h. According to the angle the steering wheel is turned through and the speed of the car, the headlamp on the inside of the curve will pivot by a maximum of 12° inwards, while the outer headlamp will adopt a maximum angle of 7.5°.
The directional headlamp function is active with either the dipped beam or the main beam in use.
The Xenon main headlamps are fitted with bulbs offering a service life at least four times greater than that of traditional halogen bulbs. All other lighting signalling functions have a bulb “blown” detection function. The brake lights even benefit from an indicator showing the location of the defective bulb.
The 407 Coupé is fi tted as standard with automatic windscreen wipers with a variable rate of operation linked to the intensity of the rain, and an operating speed ranging from intermittent to high speed. Thanks to the layout of the wiper blades (fl at wiper blades - 700 mm long), each with its own electric motor, the windscreen wiper action is the same on both sides. Automatic locking from a speed in excess of 10 km/h is available on all versions, as is the electrical fuel fi ller cap opening control located near the driver.
There is also a function which keeps the boot permanently locked so that it can be opened only with the PLIP. With deadlocking, selective opening is possible. Thanks to the remote control, access to the vehicle can be controlled according to how many doors and windows the user wishes to open.
Among other comfort and safety equipment featured on the 407 Coupé, mention should be made of the trip computer with colour display on all versions, and also a variable cruise control, a voluntary speed limiter and an under-infl ation tyre detection system with two alarm levels (under-infl ation and puncture) and indicating which wheel is affected.
Inside, the coupé is both practical and pleasant and offers numerous storage areas, modularity, ergonomic seats and a wide range of equipment to make life in the car easier for its occupants. The front seats have the same storage spaces as the sedan, save for a new style door pocket. The lockable glove box is illuminated and refrigerated, the central armrest offers a good capacity of sealed storage and the cup holder is still between the gear lever and the central armrest.
At the rear, on each outer edge of the seats and at the bottom of the rear panel, there is a storage area designed for small objects such as electronic games or a mobile phone. There is a cup holder in front of each storage space.
The seat backs, which fold in a 1/3 – 2/3 configuration, are accommodated in the space occupied by the seats before they are raised, to obtain a perfectly flat load area. In this configuration the effective load length, running uninterrupted from the boot, extends to 1.60 m. The presence of a ski flap in the central armrest on all versions allows users to make the most of this feature to transport long and narrow objects.
The seats of the 407 coupé are specific to this silhouette. At the front their design is reminiscent of “bucket” style seats, both to “communicate” driving sensations to the driver and provide comfort and support for all passengers.
Front seat adjustments are wide-ranging in terms of height, length and inclination, and for both driver and passenger lumbar adjustment is also a feature. With the standard leather trim, the main seat adjustments are controlled electrically and have an adjustment and a location memory function also linked to the adjustment of the door mirrors.
For access to the rear seats, the release control of each front seat is located on the outer top edge of the seat back. In addition, the driver can make use of a courtesy control on the nearside top edge of the passenger seat. The seats have position memories.
At the rear, both seats also have a fashionable “bucket seat” design offering effective support and a dynamic visual appeal. Curved, retractable head restraints guarantee rear visibility when the seats are unoccupied. Between the seats, a central armrest contributes to passenger well-being.
Inside the car
The “Touring” atmosphere offered to passengers inside the 407 coupé is also the result of the appearance of the passenger compartment in terms of brightness, ambient feel and soundproofing. For example, the front windscreen and side windows are manufactured from laminated glass that limits the transmission of outside noise into the interior. They supplement the rigorous soundproofing treatment accorded to the vehicle. In addition, athermic treatment of the front windscreen reduces temperature build-up caused by the sun’s rays and optimises the efficiency of the air conditioning, while ensuring a high level of brightness inside the passenger compartment.
All coupés come with automatic air conditioning with dual zone temperature distribution. This follows the example of existing 407s. The air conditioning system uses modern technologies such as a temperature sensor and a hygrometer, which prevents the appearance of condensation for example. The “externally controlled” compressor can regulate the production of cold air to the exact amount required by passengers, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
The bi-directional sunshine sensor helps to anticipate the effects of the sun’s rays, thereby avoiding unnecessary changes by passengers to the adjustment settings. In addition to the traditional upper, front and lower air vents, the fascia panel distribution system features a gentle air diffuser to shield passengers from the unpleasantness of excessive airfl ows. Rear passengers have their own air vents located at the end of the central console. Upstream of the air conditioning system, filtration of pollen, dust and certain unpleasant odours are provided by a combined pollen/active charcoal fi lter.
Audio
The 407 Coupé features the audio systems introduced on the 407 sedan and Touring. They benefit from a dual-tuner and dual-antenna system that amply meets customers’ requirements in terms of reception and sound reproduction. Controls under the steering wheel and the multi-function display facilitate use of the equipment generally.
All coupés receive the latest-generation RD4 equipment as standard.
The RD4 unit includes, in addition to the two silk-screen antennas in the rear windscreen, six speakers and a digital signal processor (DSP). With an output of 4x15 W, the radio includes dual connection shielding to neutralise sources of crackle. It also includes digital radio hardware compatibility, making it possible to listen to the radio with “CD” quality and present FM stations in list mode, as well as text radio, a CD-text displaying the title of the album and the tracks being listened to, etc.
Combined with the HiFi kit, the RD4 becomes an MP3 player.
A JBL HIFI system is also standard. This system, developed at the design stage of the coupé, offers optimal sound reproduction for the passenger compartment. It includes the layout and orientation of different speakers, as well as calibrated amplification associated with these locations. A CD auto-changer is also included.
