Peugeot 308 CC continues historic tradition

A number of Eclipse models followed including the 401, 402 and 601.

By 2000, and the launch of the 206 CC, the name Eclipse had been replaced by coupe cabriolet and Peugeot continued to dominate Europe's CC market. Last year one-in-four CCs sold in Europe had a lion on its grille as Peugeot sold 49,800 coupe cabriolets with the 207 CC the best-seller taking a 20 per cent share.

Peugeot is planning for that success to continue with the new 308 CC, on sale in the UK from June 1. Worldwide sales are expected to reach around 35,000 in 2010, the first full year of sales.

In the UK the previous 307 CC reached a sales pinnacle of 6,875 in its first full year in 2004 and still managed a healthy 2,830 sales last year.

The new car is being launched to the UK media this week - at the Captain's Club in Christchurch, which is about as many CCs as you could get in an address. The launch is well ahead of the on-sale date but is dictated by supply constraints. With just 160 being built a day in France, the availability of a full range of right-hand drive models is somewhat restricted.

The 308 CC uses a two-piece folding roof rather than the three-piece that some manufacturers have opted for. Peugeot argues that this is a simpler approach and one that uses up less boot space so you really can pack enough for a long, sunny weekend away.

And for those sunny days when there's still a chill in the air, the 308 CC has another useful feature: the Airwave neck heating system which blows warm air from the back of the seat onto your neck and shoulders.

Peugeot's claim is that this is the first time such a system has been used on a four-seater coupe cabriolet; a similar system has been used by another manufacturer on an open-top two-seater. As points scoring goes it's a debatable ‘first' but one thing can't be denied: it works.

A definite first though is the nine-litre head airbag for the front seats. These are deployed from the head restraints and makes the 308 CC the only coupe cabriolet to have all the lateral protection incorporated into the seat, including head, chest and pelvis protection.

It handles and rides well and noise levels with the roof down are fine for normal conversation even at motorway speeds. Roof up and it's as quiet and civilised as its hatchback counterpart.

Most buyers of the previous 307 CC went for the mid-range SE version and Peugeot expects that trend to continue, estimating that 60 per cent will take the SE option - and 55 per cent of all 308 CC buyers will be women.

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Credits: JRC