Car Reviews > Peugeot > 308 CC e-HDI > Peugeot 308 CC e-HDI Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Prices: From £22,615
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power/torque: 112 bhp/ 285 Nm
0-62 mph: 12.2 seconds
Top Speed: 118 miles per hour
Economy: 60.1 miles per gallon
Emissions: 116g per kilometre
Equipment: Air conditioning, Bluetooth, two part electric folding retractable steel roof, Peugeot Connect USB, leather steering wheel

The 308 CC hardtop convertible gets a facelift and goes green to boot.

The time has apparently come for the Peugeot 308 CC to get itself an update – and that update turns out to include not only a sharp new look but also the arrival of an e-HDI diesel unit that promises much greater efficiency than ever before.

That new engine comes in the shape of a 1.6-litre diesel, which is capable of a bhp rating of 112, and which can also crank it up to as much as 60.1 miles per hour while giving off CO2 emissions of as little as 116g per kilometre. These good figures are partly the result of the “micro hybrid” stop-start system that contains two super capacitors that allows the smoothest restart for any diesel engine in living memory. The engine also turns out to be impressively consistent, even when the air conditioning is turned on.

When the Peugeot 308 CC actually hits the road, the engine proves to be both quiet and smooth while giving a decent punch even at low revs due to that peak torque level of 285 Nm.

The car is able to go from 0-62 miles per hour in as little as 12.2 seconds, while it is also capable of a top speed of no less than 118 miles per hour.

As well as the brand new engine, the 308 CC has also been updated in the aesthetic sense, with the addition of not only a slim new grille, but also LED running lights and revamped headlights as well. There is still however no hiding from that hideous bulbous rear end, which is unfortunately a necessity in order to be able to stow the folding hardtop roof.

It has to be said that while the new 308 CC may be more visually pleasing and even more fuel efficient than before, many of the faults of the previous model have still not been ironed out. The steering continues to be over assisted and sluggish, the ride is very firm indeed and the vehicle just cannot seem to hide that extremely hefty 1600 kg kerb weight.

The prices for the Peugeot 308 CC e-HDI start from as much as £22,615, which is actually £1000 above the starting price for the comparable Volkswagen Eos. Unfortunately for Peugeot, the Volkswagen Eos is also probably a better all round proposition in every sense, so there is little to convince buyers to fork out an extra £1000 for this.

That is not to say that the updates in themselves are not worthwhile – on the contrary, the vehicle’s looks have been improved no end by the smart front end, and the efficient and quiet diesel engine is certainly a more than welcome addition. Yet the flaws that remain just cannot be overlooked. Peugeot would have been well served by spending a lot more time sharpening up the handling at the very least, something which by itself might have turned the 308 CC into much more of a contender for best in its class. As it is, the Volkswagen Eos is just one of a number of rivals that are all better value for money than this model.

by Autoweb