06 Jan 04
Diesel power continues its relentless march forward in the UK - thanks in part to their tax-friendly status, a huge 27 percent of cars sold in 2003 had oil-burners under the bonnet. And as a result of its growing popularity, diesel power is turning up in all sorts of unlikely places, such as sporting convertibles and even the occasional hot hatch.
So it's no great surprise that Peugeot has opted to introduce a new 136bhp turbodiesel into the 307 range. From spring of 2004, customers will be able to order this engine in the 307 three and five-door hatchback, as well as in the SW estate. We tried it in a three-door hatch, a combination that can legitimately lay claim to hot(ish) hatchdom.
The new engine, formally called the 2.0 HDi 136, is the result of the joint engine development program between Peugeot and Ford. In fact, this unit has already made its debut in the Ford Focus C-MAX. In the 307, the 2.0-litre powerplant develops 136bhp at 4000rpm, enough to deliver 0-62mph in just 9.8 seconds. If anything, the 307 2.0 HDi feels even quicker, which is probably down to its deeply impressive torque (twisting power) figures. We say 'figures' because there is more than one number to consider here - in normal operation, the 2.0 HDi makes do with 236lb ft of torque, but in 'overboost' mode, that rises to 250lb ft.
