The French have never been afraid of being first to market with a new vehicle niche. This time it's Peugeot that has grabbed the imagination with its super-tiny van, the 1007. At only 3.73m (146.9 in.) long and 1.61m (62.4 in.) wide, it's in a position to challenge even a smart to a parking duel.
Both sides of the diminutive four-seater are blessed with electrically operated sliding doors that respond to either a manual shove or a remote control. As is required for any vehicle calling itself a minivan, the single-compartment interior is replete with all sorts of bits and pieces that move, fold, slide and pop up.
Based on Peugeot's platform 1, which will also provide the underpinnings for the 107 super-mini hatchback (successor to the current 106), the 1007 also includes a new level of versatility in interior trim. Called Camlo, the system allows users to choose from 12 18-piece trim packs that can be interchanged at any point in the vehicle's life, to suit taste, season or mood.
At launch, the 1007 comes with three engine variants-1.4-liter and 1.6-liter gas four-cylinders offering 75 bhp and 110 bhp, respectively, and a 70-bhp 1.4-liter diesel HDi.