is the new Peugeot 308 CC
What is it? A true four seater Coupe Cabriolet
Who would want one? Any yummy mummy who feels her children should experience everything in life and that includes open top motoring.
The exhilarating thrill: The sound of the thunderous, throaty throttle accentuated if quick gear changes are made as this 1.6 litre petrol engine with an extra dollop of bhp, hurtles towards the seaside taking only 8.3 seconds to reach 62 mph and a top speed of 149 mph. So now these yummy mummies can have power at their fingertips without being penalised at Post Office by outlandish VED taxes, nor at the pumps thanks to excellent fuel consumption and nor at the school gates amongst those gossiping envoirmentally eco friendly fanatics as this car produces a lot less CO2 than they would suspect.
Wow factors to make the neighbours go green: Quite simply, they will not speak to you! 18-inch alloy wheels, colour coded electrically heated and folding door mirrors, luscious crease lines, exquisite LED running lights and the ability to look the business both with the fully electrically operated roof closed or open. Being on the GT trim, this variant has the GT pack comprising of black carbon style inserts under the front bumper, a lower rear bumper with a Nera black diffuser, a rear spoiler and those two important twin chrome exhaust pipes warning following cars “you have not a hope in hell of keeping up with me sonny boy”.
On the other hand… The heaviness of the tailgate when opening and closing the boot especially after shopping when arms are already tired from carrying numerous shopping bags.
Where would the sunglasses fit? Deo gracious I am losing the will to live in this department! Yet another Coupe Cabriolet with no sunglasses holder yet I did find a place of the chunky hair clasp – around the steering wheel or handbrake. Otherwise you will have to fumble around for the sunglasses in either the door pockets, deep glovebox or the covered binnacle under the central armrest. No toys allowed for the children, as there are no storage places to put them, which is a good thing. They can watch and learn yummy mummies brilliant driving techniques.
Will it take the shopping? Ah the only downside of a hard top roof is that is does compromise on the luggage space so the weekly shop will have to become a twice-weekly event. Not a bad thing really as you get to show off the car more and be aware of the ever increasing green-eyed monsters ogling at you. To avoid the total embarrassment of trying to open the roof as a slither of sun sneaks out from behind the clouds, with the boot possibly over laden with goodies, is a retractable shield and if the shopping goes above this mark the roof will not open as it needs that space for the roof to fold into.
Helping hands to leave yummy mummy to simply gush over the throaty throttle are automatic headlights, automatic rain sensing wipers, electrochromatic rear view mirror, ultra sensitive rear and front parking sensors and cruise control with limiter that is just as well to keep valuable points firmly on licence.
Creature Comforts to luxuriate in are luscious leather upholstery, leather gear lever, leather reach and rake sports steering wheel with remote controls for the radio/CD with MP3 plus Peugeot Connect USB with Bluetooth, automatic climate control and “Airwave”. Optional extras include electric seats with memory function (a must at £370) and Peugeot Connect Media Navigation pack at £1,575 (cheaper to buy a map and teach those darling children the priceless art of map reading).
Its most annoying feature: The automatic climate control that is in a thermostatic world of its own.
The quirkiest accessory: Has to be the “Airwave” neck heating system that blasts out hot air onto the back of the neck keeping everyone warm and cosy as well as alleviating any neck ache from the wind when the roof is down but the sun may not be too hot. The system is also on the two rear seats so even the children do not become a pain in the neck.
Avoiding the costly repair shop is virtually guaranteed courtesy of ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution with EBA plus that brilliant life saving device of ESP.
Keeping your precious cargo safe: Not one iota of guilt here as you exhilarate in the drive this car delivers safe in the knowledge that this 308 CC scored 5 stars for adult occupancy, 3 stars for child occupancy and 2 stars for pedestrian safety in the Euro NCAP ratings. It is the first Coupe Cabriolet in the world to feature front seat protection and has 6 SMART Safety airbags as standard.
Avoiding it being nicked is only central locking with deadlocks and a Thatcham category 1 approved alarm that could explain the rather high insurance group. If I had my way I would put an invisible electric shield around it so anyone tempting to put their grubby little paws over this beautiful car with have a shock of thier lives- literally.
Star rating: 4.5/5 due to the heavy tailgate.
Consider: Nothing else as in this GT model you get the exhilaration factor from the extra bhp that the other variants do not come with, but without the financial penalties.
Web link: http://www.peugeot.com/
Jackie Violet
Motoring Correspondent
At a Glance
Test Model: Peugeot 308 Coupe Cabriolet GT
RRP: £25,845
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
0-62mph: 8.3 seconds
Top speed: 149 mph
Combined Fuel: 40.3 mpg
CO2 emissions: 162 g/km. VED of £155
Insurance Group: 30E
Horsepower: 200 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 275 Nm @ 1700 rpm
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