ENTHUSIASTS keen on small convertibles welcomed the arrival of the Peugeot 207 CC, the worthy successor to the 206 CC, which was launched in the UK in January 2001.

The 207 CC appeared in British showrooms this month and initially comes with a choice of two petrol engines and a diesel unit.

There are two trim levels, Sport and GT, and prices will run from £14,795 for the Sport 1.6, to £17,095 for the GT HDi. Both of the petrol engines have been jointly developed with BMW Group, and the most popular choice is expected to be the 1.6-litre, 120 horsepower unit.

It has greater performance across the revs range than the previous 1.6-litre petrol pack seen in the 206 CC and has a combined cycle fuel consumption of 43.5mpg.

The second petrol unit is a 1.6-litre 150 horsepower turbo-charged performer, while Peugeot puts its proven class leading, 1.6-litre turbo-diesel unit up as the oil-burning choice.

It was in the 1930s that Peugeot started the innovative concept of the coupé-cabriolet, with the 401, 601 and 402 "Eclipse". This concept was to become one of Peugeot s trademark features and today's cars, the 206 and 307 CC have made the marque the number one seller of coupé-cabriolets, with worldwide sales today of more than 500,000 vehicles, since 2001.