Review of the new Peugeot 308 CC HDi

Peugeot is extremely proud of its long association with folding metal roofs. While there were those who questioned whether this particular addition to the field of automotive engineering is actually something of which to be proud, there can be no doubt that the French manufacturer has stuck firmly to its guns, playing the leading role in refining and popularising the technology. With the affordable folding hard-top car now commonplace, Peugeot is looking to reap the benefits of its longstanding commitment to the cause and with the 308 CC HDi diesel range, it's perusing another sector of the market were manufacturers were once reluctant to tread.

It was the 206 CC that brought the folding hard-top to the masses in 2000 but Peugeot's connection with removable overhead metalwork can be traced all the way back to 1934 and the 301 Eclipse. That the technology remained largely on the shelf for over 60 years says a lot about the cost and complexity associated with making it work in a mainstream car but having overcome that barrier, Peugeot has never looked back. In 2008, the 207 and 307 CC models accounted for over a quarter of the European folding hard-top market and hopes are high that the 308 CC can build on that performance.

The concept of the diesel convertible was once as under-used as that of the folding metal roof. The noise and emissions associated with the oil-burning engines of yesteryear meant they weren't seen as ideal companions for cursing along the Riviera with the top down but that was then. Modern diesel engines like Peugeot's HDi units are more than up to the task of powering an open-topped car in a refined manner without engulfing its occupants in smog. The 308 CC is available with a 1.6-litre HDi FAP engine as its entry-level option. It's affordable but with 112bhp and that weighty roof to move about, performance isn't spectacular. While that car manages a 12.2s sprint to 60mph, the 140bhp 2.0-litre HDi can do it in 11.1s and feels energetic through the gears thanks to 260Nm of torque. Refinement is also strong with the engine staying pleasantly hushed at cruising speed even with the roof down but there is quite a bit of wind and road noise booming around the cabin with the hood raised.

"The punchy HDi diesel engines suit car well and deliver strong economy."

The 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox which is more positive in its action than some of the marque's previous efforts but still too long-throw. The alternative is the six speed automatic that suits the 308 CC and its engine extremely well but comes with a decrease in power to 136bhp. The 307 CC was fairly woeful from a keen driver's perspective but the 308 CC feels a far more cohesive package on the road. The light steering doesn't inspire confidence at speed but levels of body control and grip do impress as does the lack of vibration in the cabin. The heavily assisted steering comes into its own around town where parking manoeuvres are easy to execute.

The 308 CC can execute its switch from coupe to convertible in 20 seconds which is good going for a car of its size. The two piece roof concertinas into the boot area leaving 266 litres of the 465-litre capacity still available for luggage. The operation can take place at speeds of up to 7.5mph which will be handy if the heavens open while you're stuck in traffic. Peugeot claims that the car is a full four-seater but with a couple of averagely proportioned occupants in the front, rear legroom is severely pinched and these seats would really only be suitable for children on a journey of any length.

Resolving the styling of a folding hard-top car is never straightforward with the need for a boot big enough to accommodate all that roof. Peugeot's design team has made a reasonably successful stab at it, however, incorporating the Peugeot family front end with a rear deck that doesn't look too bulbous from most angles. The car looks its best with the hood down but the sculpted flanks and front wheelarches add interest, as does a splitter cut into the rear bumper. The interior is a highpoint of the car displaying the robust build and classy materials that went down so well in the 308 hatch. The top spec models feature full leather trim which covers almost every available surface and adds to the quality feel.

The 308 CC is not quite the low cost route into folding hard-top car ownership that you might imagine, with the diesel models kicking off at well over £20,000. Having said that, even in its entry-level Sport guise, the car does come well-specified with alloy-wheels, front fog lights, air-conditioning, a six-speaker stereo six airbags and ESP stability control. The 1.6-litre HDi engine is the only diesel available at this level and most customers will probably upgrade to the SE with its automatic headlights, automatic wipers, climate control, cruise control, parking sensors and larger alloys. At the top of the range is the GT which includes full leather trim, a JBL stereo and the Heat Scarf system which fires warm air down the back of your neck from vents mounted in the front seats.

The 308 CC boasts a detailed safety specification that includes roll-over protection hoops that deploy to shield occupants in the event of a roll-over. It's also the first production car to feature a head airbag mounted inside the chunky front seats. A key advantage of a folding hard-top car as oppose to a soft-top is security and the 308 CC offers additional security features such as secure storage areas in the glovebox and under the central arm rest that lock with the central locking system and a button to raise and lower all four windows simultaneously.

Fuel economy will be the major reason why most 308 CC HDi buyers choose diesel. The 112bhp 1.6 HDI FAP Euro5 unit will return 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of 138g/km. The 2.0-litre HDi model can return a highly creditable 47.9mpg with the manual gearbox and has emissions pegged at 155g/km. A diesel particulate filter fitted as standard also helps clean up other harmful exhaust gasses. Choosing the automatic gearbox does put a dent in these figures with economy dropping to 40mpg and emissions rising to 185g/km. Buyers would be well advised to factor this into their thinking before parting with the £1,000 premium required to get the auto.

Peugeot has been a leading light in the hard-top convertible market from the outset and the 308 CC is its best effort yet. In the past, a folding metal roof meant compromises in terms of driving dynamics, performance and interior space but while it's by no means the definitive answer, the 308 CC does make significant steps forward in these areas. The punchy HDi diesel engines suit car well and deliver strong economy but pricing does look to be on the high side.

For a car lugging around a collapsible metal roof mechanism, the 308 CC drives well. It can seat four at a pinch and has a pleasantly high quality interior too. It feels like a well-resolved product and is certainly one of the top contenders in the affordable hard-top convertible sector. Buyers who value low running costs would be well advised to give the diesel models a chance as refinement is good and the 2.0-litre unit has a decent turn of pace.

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