Peugeot lifts lid on new 308 CC

Oct 6 2008 Steve Hughes

Peugeot lifts lid on new 308 CC

PEUGEOT has announced that its new coupe cabriolet based on the 308 hatchback will go on sale next spring and is likely to cost from about £18,000.

There will be petrol and diesel engines of 1.6 and 2.0-litres and each will come with two alternative power outputs.

Transmissions will be six-speed manual as standard with the option of a four-speed automatic for the higher-output petrol model and a six-speed auto shifter for the diesel fitted with a particulate filter.

Compared to the 307 CC that it replaces, the 308 CC is longer and wider and has an extended track front and rear, which results in more room inside plus better handling.

There are innovative new features too including neck warmers for the front seats, which also incorporate head air bags - a world first.

The folding steel roof is split into just two sections, which retract and disappear into the boot in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 7mph.

In addition to carrying four occupants there is a boot volume of 266 litres, which increases to 465 litres with the roof up.

Output from the petrol engines is 140bhp and 150bhp whilst those of the diesels are 136bhp and 140bhp.

The car is being displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.