BUSINESS LIFE: BUSINESS motors: People carrier gets friendly with the family.

PEUGEOT took the wraps off its new people carrier, the 807, at today's media day at the Geneva Motor Show.

The French manufacturer claims the newcomer, which replaces the 806, has innovative touches that make it more family-friendly and more attractive as courtesy vehicles.

Peugeot claims it has utilised the latest technology to help make journeys as safe and hazard-free as possible.

Designers have come up with a retractable "child-check" mirror so the driver can keep an eye on what children are getting up to in the back without having to constantly adjust the rear-view mirror.

Other family-friendly safety features include electric sliding rear side doors on most models. Electronic controls allow the doors to be operated from the driver's seat or by remote control from outside the car. The doors have an anti-pinch feature so no-one becomes trapped.

Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, automatically illuminating headlamps, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and tyre pressure monitors are available on certain models. In addition, the 807 is the first car in the world to feature curtain air bags to protect the heads of passengers in all three rows of seats.

There will be a choice of four fuel-efficient engines - two petrol and two diesel - when the 807 goes on sale in the UK in autumn.

CAPTION(S):

INNOVATIVE TOUCHES: Peugeot's new people carrier - the 807 - which boasts a host of new safety features