PEUGEOT 308 CC
The Age
Saturday September 12, 2009
With the typical French flair in big doses, this handsome coupe cabriolet further advances a successful recipe, writes TOBY HAGON. THE French know a thing or two about style and that's not just restricted to matters of couture and champagne.They also know how to get a car to stand out on the road. Sweeping lines and immaculate attention to detail are hallmarks of vehicles produced by companies such as Peugeot and Citroen (although with the occasional faux pas).The 308 CC or coupe cabriolet is the style ambassador for the brand. It is an open-top four-seater with a deployable hard roof that in effect turns it into a coupe.The downside of this arrangement is that the roof has to fold somewhere. This leaves the Pug's rump more plump than svelte.WHAT DO YOU GET?The 308 CC is available with either a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engine, the latter commanding a $2000 premium over the entry car's $48,990 (plus on-road costs). It's also available in two models: the regular 308 CC and the $7000-more-expensive 308 CC S.All come with cruise control, air-conditioning (it adjusts its flow when the roof is lowered), rear parking sensors, alloy wheels, an external audio input and the electrically operated roof. While the roof doesn't get the glass panels of rivals such as the Renault Megane and Volkswagen Eos, it's simple in its operation.The roof opens and closes at the push of a button. Peugeot claims the process takes 20 seconds but our stopwatch pegged it closer to 25. It's a fuss-free process but can't be done while on the move.If you go for the CC S model, as well as things such as leather trim and front parking sensors, you will get a neck-heating system built into the seats and headlights that turn around corners.Impressively, too, the 308 CC gets a full-size spare tyre.HOW SAFE?The 308 CC gets a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating courtesy of features such as stability control and innovative head airbags (as part of a package of six airbags) that combine with the thorax airbags to protect front-seat occupants in a side impact. However, there are no side airbags for those in the rear.Like many open tops, there are roll bars that pop up automatically if the car flips.WHAT'S INSIDE?The new Pug CC is bigger inside than the model it replaces. Finding an ideal driving position can be a challenge for some: the steering wheel could do with more reach adjustment. The footrest, too, is crammed against the centre console, making it difficult to use in the manual version without grazing the clutch pedal.Head and legroom are generous, though, at least up front. In the rear it's a different story. With the front seats set all the way back there's no legroom at all.Curiously, there are air vents in the rear, an indication designers thought people would regularly be using the back pews. In reality, it's unlikely they will suit anyone other than children.The boot is surprisingly spacious.UNDER THE BONNETWe will look at the diesel CC another time; for now the focus is on the 1.6-litre petrol engine.A glance at the brochure may seem like the best-selling engine has taken a step backwards from the 2.0-litre in the 307. But the addition of a turbocharger is designed to bolster mid-range response and lower fuel consumption.It works, too. The turbo engine is flexible and responsive, coming on strong from well under 2000rpm with a linearity that makes it feel like a larger-capacity four-cylinder than a turbo.There's an accessibility to its modest performance that's heartier than its on-paper 110kW of power for the six-speed manual (the four-speed auto is detuned for 103kW). The 240Nm of torque, or pulling power, is available from just above idle, which means you can opt for a taller gear sooner in regular driving.That also means impressive fuel consumption, with the manual claimed to sip an average 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres of premium unleaded. We managed closer to 9L/100km more than respectable given the amount of town driving.Rev it out on the right road and the 308 CC is peppy enough without setting you into the seats.One carryover from Peugeots of the past is an imprecise manual gearshift. The gears are easy enough to find but there's a vagueness to the selection process.ON THE ROADLike many modern French cars, the 308 CC doesn't have the suppleness in its suspension that Peugeots were once known for. But it manages to sort out the rough stuff in a controlled manner. There's some mild flexing to the body over jolts and bumps but it's far from floppy. The 17-inch wheels and tyres do a respectable job of biting the bitumen, although coarse country roads can lead to some tyre roar.Otherwise, it's hushed inside, partly because the engine doesn't need to be revved hard.The steering is sharp and direct but could do with more feedback. Roof down, too, the CC does an admirable job of diverting the wind only above 80km/h does it start wafting through.VERDICTThere's a clear family lineage with the 308 and its predecessor, the 307 CC. While there's some hangover of the old model (the gearchange and driving position are at the top of that list), fresh styling and impressive attention to detail have made for a more appealing package.And while the turbo engine isn't the last word in performance, it's perfectly in keeping with the cruisy, accessible personality of the CC.HOW MUCH? From $48,990, plus dealer/on-road costs.ENGINE 1.6L turbocharged 4-cyl; 110kW/240Nm (6-sp man), 103kW/240Nm (4-sp auto); 7.5L/100km and 177g/km CO2 (man), 8.1L/100km and 192g/km CO2 (auto); FWD.SAFETY Five-star Euro NCAP crash rating, six airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, pop-up rollover bars.WHAT'S IT GOT? Leather-clad steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control with speed limiter, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, trip computer, dual-zone air-conditioning, fog lights, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, single-CD audio with aux jack, full-size spare tyre.FOR Flexible turbo engine in keeping with cruisy yet sporty demeanour, attention to detail with interior finishes and fittings, full-size spare tyre a rarity in this style of vehicle.AGAINST Sloppy manual gear change, cramped driver's footrest, auto only has four ratios, roof can't be raised or lowered on the move.For more on the competitors, go to drive.com.au/competitorsFor more on the Peugeot 308 CC, go to drive.com.au/peugeotVOLKSWAGEN EOS 147TSIHOW MUCH? From $49,990 plus dealer/on-road costs.ENGINE 2.0L turbocharged 4-cyl; 147kW/280Nm; 8.2L/100km and 194g/km CO2 (6-sp auto), 8.4L/100km and 200g/km CO2 (6-sp man); FWD.SAFETY Four-star NCAP rating, four airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control.FOR Clever roof with separately opening sunroof; lively, frugal engine with sharp-shifting dual-clutch transmission; quality interior.AGAINST Standard equipment list a bit skinny.OUR SCORE RENAULT MEGANE CABRIOLET EXCEPTIONHOW MUCH? From $46,490 plus dealer/on-road costs.ENGINE 2.0L 4-cyl; 98kW/191Nm; 8.4L/100km and 201g/km CO2 (6-sp manual), 8.7L/100km and 208g/km CO2 (4-sp auto); FWD.SAFETY Five-star NCAP rating, four airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control.FOR Masses of equipment and sharp price, unique glass roof, chilled glovebox, comfortable seats.AGAINST Slow, sloppy dynamics; squeaky.OUR SCORE MINI COOPER S CABRIO CHILLIHOW MUCH? From $51,600 plus dealer/on-road costs.ENGINE 1.6L turbocharged 4-cyl;128kW/240Nm (260Nm overboost); 7.2L/100km and 171g/km CO2 (6-sp manual), 7.9L/100km and 189g/km CO2 (6-sp auto); FWD.SAFETY No NCAP rating, four airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control.FOR Excellent turbo engine with good economy, nice exhaust note, agile, funky interior.AGAINST Expensive options, harsh ride, tight rear seat and boot, poor rear visibility.OUR SCORE
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