Fridae

I like to think that the French have the biggest balls in the world. They may not have created automobile, but they certainly have placed more twist and quirks on car designs that any car building nation can lay claim to. The 2000 Peugeot 206 CC was a fine example of the willingness of the French to do something bold.

The 206 CC is not without flaws, believe me. But Peugeot took the risk to put a relatively high-cost small car on the market. And with more than 650,000 coupé-cabriolets on the roads today, Peugeot is the undisputed leader in the folding hardtop market.

Patchy build quality, temperamental folding roof, somewhat questionable styling and packaging were flaws that marred the original 206 CC and 307 CC; yet they sold in big numbers relying on novelty and form (to some). The need to have a huge boot to accommodate the roof when it is being stowed away was the Achilles heels for the first generation of Peugeot CCs. They looked like Serena Williams on wheels, and that’s not good.

Spotted: Ms Williams shopping in NYC in Feb 2009. Just take a look...Do we have to say any more? 

Since then, Peugeot has worked hard to eradicate some of the flaws, as seen on the 207 CC back in 2008. Will bigger brother, 308 CC be repeating the same feat? It wouldn’t be wrong to say that a potential 308 CC buyers’ greatest concern will be the looks of the mid-sized coupé-cabriolet. And they had better be prepared to shop for plenty of sun-block lotions since the 308 CC looks best with the roof down.

Having to share the same mechanical architecture as the family hatchback 308 has some drawbacks for the 308 CC. The short front end and the longish windscreen does give the 308 CC a rather disproportionate profile. Hence, with the roof up, the 308 CC does look a little like a pot bellied man; not attractive to most eyes.

Why such a long windscreen? This is because Peugeot has deferred to a two-piece roof design instead of the three-section assemblies employed by the Volkswagen Eos. A three-piece roof design allows for a longer roof and less need for front and rear screens that extend into the roof to make up the difference.

Well, Peugeot says that their approach makes for less weight, less complexity and a bigger boot, roof down, but the flipside is a windscreen that extends rearwards that almost covers your head, making the car feel less open than a cabriolet should. It also makes for ungainly styling, although the 308 CC suffers less here than its predecessor did.

The Peugeot 308 CC is in direct competition with the Audi A3 and the BMW 1-series cabriolets, the usual premium suspects. And boy does Peugeot puts up a strong fight! The 308 CC impresses as soon as you get in. Boasting plenty of high-class materials, with soft-touch plastics, a piano black centre console and plenty of chrome detailing; the cabin does feel suitably special.

For evidence of how hard the French are trying to pull off “premium” would be the bulky but comfortable front seats that carries in-built ‘head airbags’ (an industry first) and a Mercedes-style ‘air scarf’. Just don’t expect the same levels of comfort in the back. Peugeot might claim that its 308 CC is a "genuine four-seater" but that’s only the case if the occupants are Oompa-Loompas. Let’s be frank here, you’re unlikely to buy a CC if you regularly carry four adults, because the 308 CC is one to avoid if you have more than one (boy) friend.

At least you don’t have to worry about having to stick to only nudists camps for weekend getaways, since the boot offers decent lugging ability, with 266 litres available with the roof down and 465 litres on offer with it up; crucially that's more arch rival Volkswagen Eos’.

Peugeot describes the 308 CC as a ‘pleasure vehicle’, and they have been truthful, largely because the 1512 kg coupé-cabriolet will not sing along a windy road despite the rather lively 140 bhp 1.6 THP turbocharged petrol. There may be a serious looking rear diffuser, but we are inclined to think that it is there to lessen the chunky-ness of the bulky rear end rather than for sporting aspirations.

This is strictly a cruiser, stick to that and you won’t be disappointed, as the ride quality is among the best in class, with scuttle shake noticeable only on very severe disturbances in the road. Body control and suspension damping are equally well judged.

Conclusively, the 308 CC is a major improvement on its predecessor; with a useful increase in body strength (8% as Peugeot claims), benefiting its handling, ride and the impression of robustness, and continue with an interior of higher quality. The folding metal roof is effortlessly convenient and the in-built ‘head airbags’ boost its safety credentials and the sumptuous interior really lends class to this car.

With more than 100 units already accounted for in Singapore since launch, Peugeot has certainly has its paw firmly on the niche that it has craved out back in 2000. Folks that just wanna cruise wouldn’t go wrong on spending S$130,999 on a 308 CC.