Peugeot 206 CC ALLURE range
Imagine for a moment you had to picture the average Peugeot 206 CC (Coupe Cabrio) driver. Mid to late twenties, reasonably well off with an eye for style. Peugeot have targeted them with a model that hits the prospective market head on, complete with the kind of extras intended to clinch the average showroom deal. Enter the 206 CC Allure range.
So what do you get for prices starting from £15,145? Well, Lama leather for a start, together with metallic/pearlescent paint, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a sports pack including aluminium trim for the gear knob, pedals and doorsills, plus black dials with a chrome surround. There are also front side airbags, an ultrasonic alarm (Thatcham approved) and a transponder immobiliser. Oh, and ABS with EBFD, a remote control radio/mono CD player and on the 2.0-litre petrol version, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
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Whereas budget roadsters were once seen as the poor relation of their higher-powered brethren, buyers are increasingly turning to the 1.6-litre entry level models, perhaps realising that out and out performance isnt the forte of cars like the 206CC and 1.6-litre versions of cars like the Mazda MX-5. Whilst roadsters like the Mazda boast a clean sheet of paper roadster profile, the 206 suffers the handicap of having been adapted from the familiar 206 hatchback shape.
The problem with most hatchback-based cabriolets is that theyve always had an inescapable pram-like quality about them. The stubby proportions, untidy hood mechanisms and inelegant rollover bars made them look about as graceful as an industrial dumpster. Thats one accusation that you could certainly never level at the 206 CC. Even with the roof up, it has a cheeky coupe appeal and with the hood down the long rear deck ensures the little Peugeot is svelte enough to avoid any pram-like connotations.
"Heres an inexpensive way to make a quietly cool statement."
Operating the roof is simplicity itself. Behind the sun visors are a couple of latches that youll need to unclip before pressing the button next to the handbrake. At this point, a set of electronically controlled hydraulic motors will go to work, lowering the windows, popping up the rear deck before collapsing and folding the roof in on itself. Its then swallowed by the rear bootlid.
Its not the quickest operation, taking around 20 seconds, but Peugeot have cleverly let the mechanism continue with the car crawling forwards at up to 7mph. This makes the embarrassment of getting caught hood-down in a cloudburst whilst negotiating a slow moving traffic queue a thing of the past. Despite the appeal of the roof, dont get the impression that its the only aspect of the 206 CC worthy of note. If youre used to fixed-roof 206s, you might find the interior of the 206CC a fair bit more pleasant.
One of the complaints regarding the 206 GTi for example, has always been that with the upright seating position and distant screen, at standstill it feels about as sporty as your average school-run MPV. The 206 CC redresses this somewhat by lowering the seating position, making for a sportier feel. The seats themselves have firm side supports and feel good during hard cornering. The rear seat story isnt quite so good: theyre moulded into the back of the car, and whilst attractively styled, havent much leg and headroom to offer. Best to use them as additional luggage space. Youll probably end up using it as well, because with the roof folded down, it eats into boot space quite disastrously. Theres still room for a couple of soft bags, but anything more than that will emerge from the boot looking like its been in a junkyard crusher.
Still, you dont buy a car like the 206 CC for load carrying youll want to ditch the excess baggage, travel light and get a little bit closer to the elements. The £15,870 2.0-litre model justifies a price tag increase of £700 with a top speed of 126mph and 0-60mph capability of 8.9s.
Theres also a similarly priced 1.6-litre 110bhp HDi diesel version. In the 1.6, youll account for the 60mph sprint in a mere 11.
7 seconds en route to a top speed of 115mph, but these figures really are quite academic. Blatting about with the roof down, the stereo up and the shades on is what this cars all about. Early problems with sticking roof mechanisms now appear to have been fixed, and the 206 CC is becoming a popular sight on our roads. That 1.
6-litre engine is a willing unit, pumping out 110bhp at a heady 5800rpm, enough to qualify it as a respectable warm hatch. Whereas many cabriolets have the sort of body rigidity that generates noises like a dropped sack of typewriters every time you hit a bump in the road, Peugeot have worked hard to ensure the 206 CC is reassuringly composed, although major ripples in the road will generate a certain degree of body flex. Overall? Well, if youre looking for a value coupe cabriolet, the 206 CC Allure offers a compelling argument.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Peugeot 206 Coupe Cabriolet Allure range
PRICE: £15,145-£15,870 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 130-191g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.6] 0-60mph 11.7s / Max Speed 115mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (urban) 29.7 / (extra urban) 49.6 / (combined) 40.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 3835/1652/1432
