PEUGEOT'S PRETTY 307CC
Stunning futuristic styling simply oozes from the new French machine, the Peugeot 307CC. From its curvaceous nose with extra-large headlights, over a huge windscreen that slopes back at a seemingly impossible angle, to the svelte rump, the 307CC simply cries out for attention.
This latest coupe-cabriolet (CC) from France's oldest car maker joins its smaller sister, the 206CC, to give buyers a choice in their open-top motoring. Aimed at providing the excitement of convertible motoring with the security of a steel roof, the pair provides the best of both worlds.
The 307CC is noticeably larger than the 206CC and provides four full-sized seats. However, unless the front occupants are willing to slide their seats forward a fair distance there isn't a lot of legroom behind them. Headroom in the rear with the roof up restricts the back to kids or tolerant adults.
But who buys a car like this to have the roof up? Push that button between the seats, let the outside world in, and you will really enjoy this car.
A word about the windscreen. The Peugeot 307 hatch, on which the CC is based, is a tall machine to make for excellent interior space in its family-car guise. Obviously that height wasn't desirable in a sporty machine, so the windscreen has a much steeper rake. It slopes way back, finishing up over the front of the front seats.
The good news is that the screening provided means you don't have to shout to make yourself heard, even at speeds of over 150 km/h. the bad news is that you lose some of the open-air feeling, and there's a chance of thumping yourself on the chest as you thread your body around the top corners of the windscreen to get into the car.
We enjoyed sunshine the whole time we drove the 307CC at its world launch in the south of France, but some German journalists a couple of days before us managed to bring wet weather with them. They reported the CC hardtop was tight as a drum despite torrential downpours.
Our test drive over some pretty demanding hills and through numerous scenic villages proved yet again that Peugeot's engineers really are masters at built-in handling dynamics. These French guys make the steering and overall feel just right, yet do so without compromising comfort. French buyers would have it no other way!
There's virtually no sign of body flex even on the roughest of provincial back roads.
Power for the new Peugeot 307CC comes from two variants of the 2.0-litre engine already familiar to some Australian owners of the hatchback. For the sporty model it comes in two variants; a standard one with 100 kW, and a variable-valve timing model with a healthy 130 kW.
The latter engine doesn't really get into its stride until it's over 4500 rpm so only drivers with a sporty bent should apply.
For that reason, the more powerful engine is sold only with a manual gearbox, the 100 kW unit can also be specified with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Peugeot in Australia is yet to set prices for the 307CC as it won't reach us until next year. We anticipate the smaller engined model with a manual gearbox to sell in the low-$50,000 bracket. Indeed, $49,990 would look good on the advertisements. The more powerful version is likely to cost in the mid, perhaps even high, fifties.
This incredibly stylish French machine is a real joy to ride in. Its two-way body is practical and will appeal in particular to trend setters who live in inner city areas of Sydney and Melbourne.
