The new Peugeot 308 CC hits UK showrooms this summer with
redefined quality, value and a five-years all-in service plan.
To stimulate sales well in advance, Peugeot will release just 100
enhanced specification models, called GT100s, equally split between the Pearl
White and Nera Black, in May, a month before the full range is available.
Prices start at £19,495 and the eleven models will peak at
£24,295, spread over Sport, SE and GT trim levels. Buyers can opt for a five
years service, assistance and including 3 years warranty for under £200, a
fifth of the price it would be if all the cover was individually bought.
The Sport model introduces the1.6-litre VTi 120 petrol and the
accomplished HDi 110 diesel engines, at £19,495 and £20,495 respectively.
Standard equipment includes 16" alloy wheels, a full body coloured
exterior, front fog lights, black / grey Sports cloth trim and black instrument
dials.
In car entertainment is provided by Peugeot's new Connect Sound
RD4-1 Radio/CD player and audio pack - 6 speakers & audio remote
control. For comfort and convenience air conditioning, a leather steering
wheel and remote control locking glove box and centre armrest storage are also
made standard. Safety and security features include the electric folding
retractable roof, six Smart safety airbags, unfastened seatbelt detection
system and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme that includes ABS, EBFD &
EBA).
Additional specification over the Sport model for the SE includes
larger 17" alloy wheels, the Visibility Pack of automatic rain sensing
front wipers, automatic headlamps and an electrochrome rear view mirror,
ambient lighting, rear parking aid, cruise control with speed limiter, climate
control air conditioning, Thatcham category 1 Approved alarm, and the upgrade
stereo - Peugeot Connect Sound radio/CD with Aux & MP3 playback.
Prices for the SE start at £20,395.
The 308 CC SE model can be specified with any of the entire 308 CC
engine range - petrol engines with the VTi 120, THP 150 or THP 140 with
automatic gearbox, or diesel engines with HDi 110, HDi 140 or HDi 136 with
automatic transmission.
The range-topping GT model can be specified with the petrol THP
150 or HDi 140 diesel engine. Extra features include leather trim, a
windstop, larger 18" alloy wheels, tyre pressure sensor, front and rear
parking aid and Peugeot's Connect HiFi (JBL HiFi pack). The Airwave
(temperature controlled) neck heating system is standard equipment (and
available on SE models when combined with leather trim). GT prices start
at £23,495.
Exclusive to the UK and for the first 308 CC owners is an
exclusive model - the GT100, available at £23,595. As the name suggests
it is limited to just 100 CCs, and includes an enhanced GT specification with
the most powerful engine in the 308 CC range - the THP 150 petrol
engine. Metallic paint is standard with a choice of Nera Black or Pearl
White.
Further features include the Electric Pack with powered seat
adjustment, ‘GT100' carpet mats, ‘GT100' chrome door sills and GT100 badging.
GT100 customers will is identified with a personalised leather-bound pack
commemorating their exclusive purchase which includes a numbered build plaque.
The range at a glance
308
CC
Sport SE
GT GT100
Petrol engine models;
1.6-litre VTi
120 £19,495 £20,395
1.6-litre THP
150 £21,295 £23,495 £23,595
1.6-litre THP 140
Auto
£22,295
Diesel engine models;
HDi
110FAP £20,495 £21,395
HDi
140FAP £22,095 £24,295
HDi 140FAP
Auto £23,095
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
From the front the new 308 CC does not look very different from
the previous 307 CC, but it is more marked at the rear where a new lighting
system strikes you far more than the front pair.
The profile of the new CC largely follows that of the predecessor
but Peugeot has reduced the operation time of the folding metal roof to 20
seconds and it can be operated up to about 8mph. Open the big heavy doors and the impression of better chassis
rigidity is apparent as the door closes with a distinct solidity. On the move there is hardly any scuttle shake and the header-rail
mirror does not shimmy or the chassis seem to twist over bad surfaces. It is
very snug with the roof closed but even open the turbulence is minor thanks to
the deep sweeping windscreen, high side windows and wind baffle, which is
standard on higher specification versions. The 308 CC ride is better as well and it is slightly firm but very
compliant and it hardly rolls or pitches with hard driving. It will take four and access to the back is easy with the front
seats conveniently moving forward at the touch of a button to prevent them
restricting those behind. With the roof folded down the luggage space is 226 litres and with
it closed capacity reaches 465 litres. Oddments space is modest in the cabin. All noise levels are low, even the wind seems to flow very
smoothly over and around the cabin. I briefly tested GT 1.6 150 petrol with six-speed manual box and
SE 2.0 140 diesel six-speed auto, but Peugeot is unsure which version in the
range will be the most popular. Both are very quiet and pull well, the diesel showing greater
flexibility out of the pair, but the manual and automatic changes are smooth
and the brakes and steering feel positive. On a sunny day during the test the instruments did badly reflect
and became almost illegible but the secondary controls are neatly grouped and
immediately to hand, It is the first four seater CC to have neck air scarves built into
the seats and they bathe the occupants with warm air over three output
settings, but the fans inside the seats can be heard working away when idling
in traffic. This gives the impression of another car very close behind with its
cooling fan running. Peugeot believe most 308 CC models will be bought by women as a
second car for the family but it's fairly bullish and suggests about 5,000 will
be sold in the UK in a year. It is keenly priced and fixed until June, cuts into the heart of
its competitors and the five-years service package is a powerful incentive to
back up the purchase of what is a very popular model line.
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