Thursday, September 12, 2013

Event Horizon: The Peugeot 308CC (Coupe Cabriolet): A Women’s Eye Car Review





We headed for the horizon at Sandbanks peninsula on a lovely hot day to get the utmost benefits from this little top-down, snub-nosed beauty.
The Peugeot 308CC came up trumps on the roof-down stakes, with no wind buffeting at all in the cosseted confines of the front cabin. Once we’d mastered (mistressed?) the need to put the boot tray in place in order to retract the hard roof, the hood could be manoeuvred in to position at whim (if that whim is going at less than 7mph that is). Heated leather seats and head rests (the AIRWAVE scarf) will keep you toasty on the chilliest of days, with the roof down.
We also love the fact that the foot pedals are high enough for most footwear (is this intentional, Peugeot?) Many women will wear high heels when driving, regardless of road safety advice: it’s good to see that some car manufacturers are taking note of this and combining this aspect of car design into their manufacturing process (although it might, of course, just be coincidence).
As a female of the species, it’s also nice to have a bit of a rapport with your car: hence the thumbs-up for the welcoming way in which the retracted wing mirrors, prick up, and out, on remote unlocking. We’re sure this is primarily a bid to keep your mirrors out of harms’ way, but it doesn’t hurt to feel that your car is ‘waking up’ to your arrival.
The vaguely futuristic look of the Peugeot 308CC is complemented by the tardis-like spaciousness to be enjoyed in the front cabin. At the same time the retro-look dashboard (a host of chrome-ringed dials) is tasteful, sporty and refined. The flat-bottomed look of the leather steering wheel provides easy handling and is aesthetically pleasing. 
Visibility is good, but is compromised when the roof is up, on rearward manoeuvres. The two backseats are sufficient for two small people, but two adults may benefit from employing some yoga stretches on completing extended journeys, as well as some yoga positions en route.
Daytime running lights fit snugly around the front fog lights, and the streamlined shape of the rear end is accentuated by a slash of red LEDs. The passenger doors are heavy. Very heavy. This is good in terms of protection, and an early morning muscle work-out, but not so handy when you are trying to manoeuvre small children into and out of the car...with arms full of shopping. I may be being picky but I did also find the suspension a bit clunky at times.
All in, the Peugeot 308CC is a fantastic coupe and cabriolet in one: a safe, sure and punchy drive with fantastic insulation from the wind with the roof down. Hats off (or in fact, left on) to Peugeot for this feat of aerodynamic excellence.


Price: £22,850 to £27,550
Model driven: 308CC Allure HDi 163 OTR price: £27,250
Euro NCAP rating: 5 Star Adult Occupancy
3 Star Child Occupancy
2 Star Pedestrian
Engine: 1.6 to 2 litre
CO2 Emissions:  128g/km to 172g/km
0-62 in 9.7 secs
Max Speed: 129 mph
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Boot space: Roof Up: 465 litres (but you might need to juggle a folded buggy around a bit to get it to fit)
Roof Down: 266 litres

Colours available: White, Black, Aluminium,  2 Greys, Mocha, Sky Blue, Egyptian Blue, Red

A Me-Mo Car Review 

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