I was surprised to see that some Continental types consider the 407 to be over-styled, because, as well as being a car which looks particularly well from angles like the three-quarter rear view, it seems to me to score high marks for detailing.The headlamp array, the careful touches of chromework, and the attention to detail in so many individual body panels make the 407 quite a class act, even if that front air intake can still be quite a shock to a nervous observer who's seen too many TV documentaries about the monsters of the deep. Like so many others, this car looks better with metallic paint, a £325 extra-cost option.With 407 specifications progressing from S via SE and SV to Executive, as well as 1.8, two-litre and three-litre V6 petrol engines plus HDi 110 and 136 turbo diesels, our SE HDi 136 test car comes somewhere in the middle of the range, and its engine is highly regarded by the many customers who just don't want to think about petrol power.The two-litre 136 is one of the most recent Peugeot diesels, Euro IV compliant and fitted with the latest type of particulate filter. Its 155g/km rating for CO2 emissions is low for an engine of this capacity, and the economy figures are commendable too.In normal running there's 240lb/ft of torque at 2000rpm, but, as with a number of diesel-engined cars these days, flooring the throttle, when overtaking or doing a spot of pass-storming, brings in a short-term overboost which briefly raises the figure to 251lb/ft. That may not be a huge percentage increase, but it does make its presence felt.When it comes to performance, economy and CO2 emissions the four-speed automatic can't look near the six-speed manual transmission fitted to the test car, the six-speed auto box being reserved for the V6 petrol model. With the six-speed manual, the test car was a really long-striding motorway cruiser, but there's another side, of course, to the high-gearing business. Fourth is as far up the box as you can sensibly go in city traffic, and I wouldn't bother with sixth under 50mph or so.The diesel isn't as handy on more sporting roads as the petrol cars, and this is another affair of swings and roundabouts. You want an easy, economical lope on main roads and motorways? Go for the diesel. Prefer more responsive handling? Make it a petrol - but we'll ponder that question again within the next few weeks, after an extended test of a petrol 407.Meanwhile, the SE with whatever engine is certainly well-equipped. ESP, front foglamps and door mirrors which fold in when you switch off and exit the car are all standard. So are rain sensor wipers and light sensitive headlamps, the latter, as almost always, a touch too sensitive for some tastes. There's a full complement of front, side and curtain airbags, and a Thatcham category 1 ultrasonic alarm.Very comfortable interior, I thought, with a fascia design which has a lot more styling in it than you usually get, especially in the 407's German rivals. Neat and simple instruments, with the needles of the speedo and revcounter taking little points of red light round the rim as they move. There we go - detail again, in a confidently-presented car available at the moment only with this bodywork, although there's an estate-style SW coming.Second opinion: I'm not so sure how much effect the diesel engine has on the handling. The 407 feels closely related to a great many large French saloons over the years, with a very compliant ride tending towards wallowiness. When the roads are straight and smooth, though, this is an impressively comfortable and economical mile-eater. David Finlay. Engine 1997cc, 4 cylinders Power 131bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Fuel/CO2 47.9 mpg / 155g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.0 seconds Top speed 129mph Price £17,450 Details correct at publication date