The French manufacturer called on its own experience from developing the successful 206 WRC car, fitting the 207 S2000 with a six-speed Sadev sequential gearbox and mechanical self-locking differentials. The powertrain was capable of transmitting between 280 to 300hp developed by the engine to all four wheels.
The 207 S2000, released in 2007, proved to be competitive straight out of the box, winning the IRC in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The car won a very impressive 23 rallies during those dominating years. The reign of the 207 S2000 was also extended in Portugal. With Portuguese driver Bruno Magalhães at the wheel, supported by Peugeot Sport Portugal, the car won the National Rally Championship three times.
With Bruno Magalhães as the official driver for the 2007 season, Carlos Barros, Director of Peugeot Sport Portugal at the time, ordered a 207 S2000 assault on the most relevant national championship stages. Co-piloted by Paulo Grave, Bruno Magalhães started his national campaign in the best way possible by winning the Rally Torrié. The Peugeot driver triumphed over José Pedro Fontes to become the overall National Rally and the Group N champion. In addition to participation in the national scene, the Portuguese team would make a brief appearance in the Sanremo Rally. That outing though ended in the worst way after a collision with Brice Tirabassi’s car, which had been stuck on the section.
The 2008 season was the most competitive for Bruno Magalhães. He won the Portuguese Rally Championship convincingly and ranked sixth in the FIA European Rally Cup. In 2009, with a lack of support from higher up, Peugeot Sport Portugal focused again on the national championships. This time with Vítor Pascoal as his main opponent, also driving a Peugeot 207 S2000, Magalhães led the championship from start to finish, successfully defending his title at the Algarve Rally. Even after sporadic participation, Magalhães was ranked eighth in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. A sign of what could have been with more support.
During the three years of active competition, the Peugeot 207 S2000 demonstrated the value of simple and robust mechanics over unfathomable complexity. It entered the history books of International rally as one of the most effective challengers ever to grace the stages.
This Show Car model was donated to the Museu do Caramulo by Peugeot Portugal.