Peugeot 308 CC 2.0 HDi 140 CV, test drive (Part I)

We continue with convertibles. First we start with a purist convertible in grand style. But we couldn’t continue without testing the new Peugeot 308 CC. Without a doubt, Peugeot has been a brand that has had a lot to do with the Coupe&Cabrio trend. And now that the first units of the Peugeot 308 CC have arrived, we have taken the opportunity to test it thoroughly, since it is a car with many details, and very well known among people.

As a complement to the Peugeot 308 CC, it was equipped with a new-generation 2.0 HDi diesel engine of 140 CV, an engine we liked for its economy, with more than enough power to move this convertible with ease and, at the same time, cover long distances without the wallet suffering. The Peugeot 308 CC is a car to enjoy driving; it does not offer racing sensations (as a two-seater roadster can), but it is a very versatile car that can be used without problems all year round.

Engine and performance

As I mentioned earlier, our test unit was equipped with the 2.0 HDi engine of 140 CV at 4,000 rpm with the Sport Pack trim. The best thing about the engine is undoubtedly its economy, but at the same time it is an engine that responds very well when power is requested, and from 2,000 rpm it pushes with all its strength (which is not little, 320 Nm).

The power delivery is smooth and uniform; it also has a fairly elastic gear change and, with six speeds, fuel consumption on the motorway is kept very low. But the gearshift has one negative aspect: it does not have a precise feel, and the metal material around it gets too hot when the sun hits it (see detail); it would have been better covered in leather or a plastic material.

As I mentioned, it is not a very sporty vehicle. It has good handling, and the engine responds above 2,000 rpm, but below that it is somewhat sluggish, and the acceleration figures do not show a sporty character either (0 to 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds). Another aspect to consider is the ESP, which activates from 50 km/h. If we want a somewhat sportier drive, the car responds quite well, although that is not its strongest asset, and the (somewhat firm) suspension favours good grip in corners, but its stiffness is noticeable over potholes.

Nevertheless, the overall behaviour is very pleasant; the 308 CC is a very versatile car for all kinds of driving, even in the city, where it moves very well. Furthermore, for travelling and covering distances, the engine fulfils its purpose, with low consumption and good interior comfort.

Moving on to the consumption section: on the motorway at 120 km/h I achieved an average consumption of 5.4 l/100 km, which is certainly a good figure for those who want to cover long distances. In town and on country roads I covered about 300 km, and overall it had an average consumption of 7.2 litres per 100 km; in town it is easy to stay below 8 litres per 100 km. The best consumption figure achieved was on country roads at about 60 km/h, where it used 5.2 litres per 100 km.

Another detail that caught my attention, since I am talking about consumption, is that the fuel cap had to be opened with the key (see photo), a rather archaic detail for a model like this, but one that is present across almost the entire Peugeot range. Another detail that surprised us is the brakes. It has disc brakes on all four wheels, which work very well, but on the motorway under a fairly hard braking the steering wheel vibrates considerably, and that is a point to improve.

Therefore, it has a decent engine that lets you enjoy driving; if you need power it will deliver it, but it stays far from sporty behaviour, and in return it is an engine that is economical in terms of consumption. In the next part of the test we will focus on the exterior design (very successful on this 308 CC) and interior, as well as spaciousness and comfort…

Photos | Diego G. Moreira