308 CC – A cabriolet for all seasons

This year's Paris Motor Show will see Peugeot reveal the latest in its long line of coupé cabriolet cars.

Peugeot pioneered the concept of "folding roof cars" way back in the 1930s with its elegant 401, 601 and 402 "Eclipse" models, and today continues this with the 207 CC and now the new member to the family, the 308 CC.

Compared to the Peugeot 307 CC which it replaces, the 308 CC is longer, wider and has a larger front and rear track to improve its overall dynamic performance. The extra length and width also benefits the occupants by increasing the passenger space compared to the 307 CC.

Dimensional Comparison 308 Hatchback and 307 CC

While the style of the passenger compartment shares many similarities with the 308 hatchback, the CC has a number of unique styling features, such as the generously dimensioned wraparound front seats with their integral head restraints. They can also be equipped with an inbuilt "Airwave" system, which diffuses warm air around the front occupants' necks and is adjustable for temperature, flow and direction.

Particular attention has also been paid to the rear seats which benefit from side armrests and deeply sculpted seat cushions matching the theme of those at the front. If leather trim is specified a rear folding central armrest is also included. On all models the integral rear head restraints also house the active extendable roll-over protection bars.

Peugeot 308 CC (2009)

Safety In the event of a rollover situation, the roll-over protection bars are automatically triggered the moment a roll-over situation is detected, taking into account the vehicle speed and the angle of the vehicle. As soon as the instruction to deploy is received, the roll-over protection bars are extended in less than 20 milliseconds. Combining with the strengthened windscreen pillars, they provide a protective zone for all the occupants.

The structure of the 308 CC is also specially strengthened to provide the best possible protection for all its occupants, even in the cabriolet configuration, and provide a rigid structure to maximise the performance of the suspension.

The 308 CC is equipped with passenger and driver's front air bags, chest/pelvis side air bags and, marking a world first, a head air bag for the front passengers, housed directly in the seat and deployed laterally from the head restraint.

The Peugeot 308 CC is the first Coupé Cabriolet in the world to have all the lateral protection incorporated into the front seat, including head, chest and pelvis, thereby ensuring efficient deployment and occupant protection regardless of the seat position and for all types of side impact.

In keeping with its status as a four seater Coupé Cabriolet, both rear seats have seat belts with force limiters and a fasten seat belt warning system, as well as Isofix child safety seat mountings.

To facilitate access to the two rear seats, both the height adjustable front seats can be equipped with an electrical tilt and slide system.

Two-part Retractable Roof The 308 CC shares the same "roof concept" as the 307 CC. It consists of a two-part retractable roof with a small folding roof panel and a large rear athermic dark-tinted rear windscreen. The roof benefits from all of Peugeot's expertise in Coupé Cabriolets and builds on a tried and tested concept.

The roof opens and closes in only 20 seconds even when driving at speeds of up to 7 mph. The system is controlled by a new electronic control unit which automatically lowers all four windows by around 50 mm before any roof operations commence.

The 308 CC has a very usable boot with a number of dedicated storage spaces (including one under the boot floor carpet to store the optional windstop). A lot of attention has also been paid to the boot area to optimise the space and gain valuable additional millimetres.

A Useable Boot In the coupé configuration, the boot volume is 465 litres and 266 litres with the roof folded. Inside, the boot is meticulously finished with a high quality carpet, chrome tie-down rings, straps for retaining a warning triangle and a luggage net for enhanced practicality.

Unlocking and releasing of the boot are also possible by remote control and can be actioned by means of a dedicated button on the ignition key.

Peugeot Connect Audio and Navigation Systems To ensure every journey is as enjoyable as possible a wide range of standard or optional Peugeot Connect audio and navigation systems is available:

Peugeot Connect Sound consists of an MP3 compatible Radio / CD player. It is linked to six speakers and includes a connection for a portable electronic device in the glove box, via two RCA connectors.

Peugeot Connect Bluetooth® is an MP3 compatible Radio / CD player with an inbuilt Bluetooth® hands-free kit allowing the use of a mobile telephone in complete safety. It also includes a USB connector and RCA connectors in the glove box.

Peugeot Connect Nav is a new, highly competitive and attractively designed satellite navigation system which combines audio functions with a three-tuner MP3 compatible Radio / CD player, a Bluetooth® hands-free mobile telephone, satellite navigation with European cartography, traffic information and RCA connectors in the glove box. It is linked to a large seven inch 16/9 colour screen which retracts into the fascia panel providing either two dimensional or "bird's eye view" of the map information.

Peugeot Connect 3D-Nav is the top-of-the-range system using a 30 GB hard disc for cartography and music storage, with 10 GB devoted to the Juke Box function. It includes an integral GSM mobile telephone with an integral SIM card holder and Bluetooth® functions.

Information is shown on a high-resolution 7 inch 16/9 colour display which retracts into the fascia panel. This provides a 3D representation of the map and allows videos to be watched thanks to the DVD player and RCA and USB connectors.

A JBL hi-fi pack offering "tailor-made" sound. This comprises a digital eight channel amplifier with an output of 240 W which controls a range of hi-fi speakers (two medium-tweeters, two woofers, two coaxial elliptical speakers) and automatically adjusts the audio volume in cabriolet mode according to vehicle speed.

Engines At launch two dynamic and fuel efficient engines will be available, both equipped with a six speed manual gearbox… unless an automatic gearbox option is preferred…

Petrol Engines

• 1.6 litre THP 150 bhp engine – torque of 180 lb ft at 1400 rpm - six speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre THP 140 bhp engine – torque of 180 lb ft at 1400 rpm - four speed automatic gearbox with "Porsche Tiptronic System" control

Diesel Engines

• 2.0 litre HDi FAP Euro 5 - 140 bhp – torque of 240 lb ft (260 lb ft with overboost) at 2000 rpm – six speed manual gearbox
• 2.0 litre HDi FAP Euro 4 -136 bhp – torque of 240 lb ft (260 lb ft with overboost) at 2000 rpm – six speed automatic gearbox with "Porsche Tiptronic System" control

Further engine options will, however, be introduced after launch.

Suspension The dynamic road holding of the 308 CC is designed to combine driving pleasure with active safety and a high level of comfort. It benefits from Peugeot's experience in terms of coupé-cabriolets and also their expertise in designing vehicles with high torsional rigidity, a key element for good road holding.

As with the other 308 models, the suspension of the 308 CC comprises:

• an inverted Pseudo MacPherson type front suspension with a drop link anti-roll bar which ensures both accurate steering and excellent damping control.
• a rear suspension with a rear torsion beam and integral welded anti-roll bar ensuring good body control, vibration suppression and strength

While retaining the geometry of the 308 hatchback suspension, changes have been made which include a ride height lower by 12 mm at the front and 8 mm at the rear, a specification borrowed from the 307 CC which can also be found on the 308 THP 175 bhp hatchback.

The 308 CC is equipped, according to the engine and version, with wheel and tyre combinations specially adapted to this particular body shape. They combine dynamism, safety and driving pleasure with a high level of comfort. To achieve this, wider tyres than those of the hatchback are fitted, for example, with the 1.6 THP 150 bhp engine.

• Izalco 7Jx16 alloy wheels              – 215/55R16 tyres
• Stromboli 7.5Jx17 alloy wheels       – 225/45R17 tyres
• Lincancabur 8Jx18 alloy wheels      – 225/40R18 tyres

Braking On the 308 CC, particular attention has been paid to the overall braking performance, durability and ease of use, all in keeping with the vehicle's "leisure / sport" character. Ventilated front discs with dimensions of 302 x 26 mm and 249 x 9 mm rear discs are fitted, coupled with an emergency brake assist system and automatic switching on of the hazard warning lights, in the event of sharp deceleration.

A Bosch 8.1 ESP system including ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and stability control comes as standard on 308 CCs equipped with the 1.6 litre THP and 2.0 litre HDi diesel engines.

Model Range There will be three trim levels available, S, Sport and GT and nine exterior body colours, each offering a different personality.

• Pearl White
• Perla Nera Black
• Mocha
• Aluminium
• Shark Grey
• Hurricane Grey
• Abyss Blue
• Ipanema Blue
• Babylon Red

Both cloth and leather interior trims will be available including an offer rarely available in this market segment, "integral leather". In addition to leather seats, it includes a saddle-stitched leather fascia panel and door trim pad surrounds combined with a leather trimmed gear lever console in the same colour as the fascia panel.

The 308 CC, builds on the many strengths of the 307 CC but develops them even further in order to meet the high standards expected of this type of vehicle: attractive styling, comprehensive specification and safety equipment and high levels of quality, both perceived quality and "quality feel".

The 308 CC will be on sale in the UK in April 2009 at a starting price of circa £17,000.

Technical Information