Peugeot 308CC HDi road test

By Steve Orme on Jul 8, 09 03:10 PM

This morning I found myself sitting in traffic behind the wheel of a topless Peugeot 30 when, after days of glorious sunshine, there came a deluge so sudden and ferocious it seemed reasonable to scan the sky for a departing dambusters squadron.
Frankly I could not have been wetter employed to spin a ball on my flippers while catching fish.

Begging the question, why do we Brits have such a love affair with the cabriolet? We do, after all buy more of them than anyone else in Europe.
If you imagine, for instance, that driving one will have women giving you their mobile numbers at traffic lights forget it. They just think you work in soft furnishings and are rushing home for Paul O'Grady.
In California you can park up top down to get your roots done without any fears. In the UK you will return to find your car has been used as a skip.
And to the man in the Porsche Boxster, I have no interest in George Michael and he certainly none in me.
Sadly, when all is said and done, a convertible in Britain is almost as redundant as a council Lido or a Melbourne Fat Bruce gas barbecue. You don't need a good pair of driving shades so much as a 25 metres swimming certificate.
The truth is we buy them because cabriolets are such things of beauty. The ugliest and least interesting part of a car is the roof. Cut it off and what emerges is a Cote d'Azure profile and big screen looks. In my case Rubeus Hagrid .
Peugeot has been making pretty cabriolets since the 1930s and the 308 is the latest.
Heavier than the 308 hatchback, the CC HDi GT is no MX5 but still nimble and I defy passengers to spot it is an oil-burner. Roof up you will notice two things, the rain has stopped and how quiet the drive is. Comfort and good looks then, the Nigella Lawson of summer motoring.
Understandably the Holy Grail of cabriolet engineering is not performance, keeping the chassis as rigid as the uncropped versions or safety. It is designing a roof that can be raised in two seconds while doing 70mph in a nuclear fire storm.
The folding metal CC roof operates on a continuous touch. You will, however, need to stop for 20 seconds and almost certainly, north of Dover, have to ring your socks out.
Reluctant as I am to appear over aroused by any car, the interior of the GT is stunning. Quality instruments are set off by a whole field of leather, on seats, doors and fascia. This is a cow's worst nightmare. Freddie Kruger for bovines.
Equipment includes a clever hot air vent in the headrest to keep necks warm and the expected list of extras on a £25k car, which is where you will be at if the connect navigation system is added.
It is a four seater, slightly cramped in the rear but not uncomfortable sans roof for a bit of relaxed cruising in the sunshine. And that really is what the CC is all about. It is not quick and there is no way a cabriolet can be called practical. There is a smal boot but the roof has to go somewhere and that's where you would normally put your holiday suitcases.
An excellent prospect then for nudists, who will also be wind-hardened enough to cope with the elements.
For the rest of us I suggest Peugeot adds an extra function to the sat nav. A weather chart.

THE NUMBERS BIT
Engine: 1997cc, 140bhp diesel
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 48mpg
CO2: 155g/km
Acceleration: 0-62- 11.1sec
Top speed: 129mph
Price: £24,295
Tax: Band G (£150)