Category: Convertibles 
Price Range: No data available
Responsive handling, boot space, snug coupe feeling, handsome with roof down, diesel engine available
Question marks over long term reliability
The fun convertible that can realistically double as a small family car; more fun than a Megane
Unlike the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, the Peugeot's roll-over bars are retracted behind the headrests, only springing out in the event of a loss of stability. That means a much clearer view to the rear. The seats are multi-adjustable, as is the steering wheel, and it should be easy to get comfortable. The steering itself is well-weighted and communicative, the brakes are sharp and while the 307CC always feels like a wide, heavy car (which it is, of course), it's thoroughly user-friendly and hassle-free to manoeuvre. Peugeot is realistic in describing this as a GT rather than a GTi, but that's not to dismiss it as a dull plodder - despite its weight and girth, the 307 CC is agile and responsive, with a chassis that feels sharper than that of the 307 hatch. The steering is direct and offers plenty of feedback, with none of the horrid artificially-weighted feeling of the Megane's, and the brakes are strong and progressive. The manual gearbox is slick and precise, and although the auto's not the quickest on the uptake in either fully-auto or sequential modes, it suits the character of the car well and is by no means frustrating if you want to push on hard. The 180bhp model has a very pleasing exhaust note, giving a lovely rasp if you blip the throttle on a downchange. And the relaxed, punchy nature of the 136bhp diesel engine suits the 'Grand Touring' nature of the 307CC well.
Even though the 180bhp petrol engine grabs the power headlines - and feels livelier in the 307CC than we'd expected - our favourite engine here is the 136bhp turbodiesel. That's mainly because the diesel develops 240lb ft of torque at just 2000rpm, where the 180bhp petrol has much less torque, which it develops at much higher rpm, too - 152lb ft at 4750rpm, as you ask. The result is much punchier mid-range performance from the diesel, and a far more relaxed driving experience, which suits the 307CC's persona perfectly. Moving down the power range, the 140bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine is considerably less punchy, but packs an adequate amount of power for the job at hand. Less convincing is the 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol, which requires 12.7secs to reach 62mph and can't quite crack 120mph.
