Peugeot 307 1.6 HDi 110 HATCH RANGE
Its easy for a manufacturer to drum up interest in a new engine when its bigger and obviously more powerful than the unit it replaces. People like to see and feel that theyre getting something more for their money. Peugeots problem with their 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi engine is that it was launched to replace the 110bhp 2.
0-litre HDi. Take the two units at face value and even the most silver-tounged of salesmen would struggle to talk you into the drivers seat of the 1.6 but look below the surface and youll see theres method in Peugeots apparent madness.
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6-litre HDi provides roughly equivalent performance to the old 2.0-litre with improved economy. The engine also uses Peugeots over boost function which is activated between 1,500rpm and 3,750rpm to provide a temporary torque increase. This system allows the 1.
6-litre HDi to produce maximum torque of 192lb/ft which gives the 307 impressive acceleration through the mid-range.
"This is one diesel hatch thats been built with both fun and fuel economy in mind"
On the road, its all very smooth and easy if not quite as sharp as some enthusiasts might like. Everything feels nice to use steering, throttle, brakes, switchgear. Come out of something larger into this and, assuming youve opted for one of the plusher trim levels, you should feel quite at home. The 1.
6-litre 110bhp engine is capable of reaching 60mph in 11 seconds on the way to 117mph, whilst averaging an excellent 57.6mpg in everyday driving. There is a slight clatter on startup, and when revved hard it isnt the quietest of diesels on sale today, but once warmed up, the effortless surge of torque that can dispatch slow moving traffic with disdain means that the upper reaches of the rev band are places you wont need to visit too often. Todays 307 shares the distinctive front end that we first saw pop-up on the 407 and the 1007.
The gaping air-intake in the front bumper, huge headlamps and shortened bonnet with pronounced side ridges all mark the car out. The rear light clusters get a Chrome Red finish as well. Inside theres, a revised instrument panel with new graphics and chrome surrounds for all the dials, aluminium detailing on the centre console and revised controls for the air-con system and the stereo. If youve not checked out a 307 before, its possible that the swoopy lines could lead you to believe it to be one of those mini-MPVs.
Its not of course, as youll quickly discover upon taking a seat inside. Though the cabin feels light and airy (thanks to all that glass), its not actually all that spacious, only the headroom being really exceptional. The fit and finish, even in the more basic versions, is light years away from the hard plastics and mismatched textures that the average 306 brought to market. The impression is that Peugeot have finally shaken off the frenetic buzz-box image that had for so long sold sports hatches in thousands but had hampered any move towards a quality image which was in any way capable of shifting high-value cars.
So, its well finished, with plenty of kit as standard, even on the entry-level Urban version and the usual extra touches on the plusher S and Sport models that are offered with this engine. Two hatchback body styles are available, three or five door at prices ranging between £15,050 for the entry-level S and £16,900 for the five-door Sport. Equipment levels are everything you would expect maybe even more, given that all models get six airbags (including front and rear curtain bags to protect you against flying glass) as well as ABS with Brake Assist and air-conditioning. Opt for an Sport and youll find digital climate controlled air conditioning and a five-disc CD changer integrated into the dashboard as well as electric rear windows, electrically folding door mirrors, automatic headlights, a leather steering wheel and rain sensing wipers.
For those that want additional versatility, theres a choice either of an estate variant in either standard or SW-badged mini-MPV guises. Go for the SW and youll have the potential for carrying seven passengers. The 307 feels tightly screwed together, and uses a high grade of plastics, giving a subjective impression of quality to the interior that was so sorely lacking in the old 306. Many will feel that the interior perhaps lacks the visual drama of the exterior styling, and its a fair point.
Nevertheless, ergonomics are sound and the car will be easy on your conscience too, with over 90% of its volume by weight being recyclable or recoverable. The 307 even utilises environmentally friendly constituent parts, such as mudflaps made from what were once polypropylene bottles and soundproofing that uses recycled textiles. Odd thought. The shirt on your back could one day make somebodys Peugeot 307 that tiny bit quieter.
Although there are more powerful diesel hatches about, notably the 307 HDi with the 136bhp 2.0-litre engine, few approach the 307 HDi 110s combination of space, pace, economy and ability to paint a smile on your face. To illustrate quite how much Peugeots chassis engineers enjoy driving, they have developed an amazingly lenient ESP stability control system. Intervening late in the day, this system is similar to the one engineered by Porsche into their latest 911 and allows enthusiastic drivers a decent margin of leeway before the electronic nanny wags her finger.
This tells you all you need to know about Peugeots approach to small cars diesel doesnt have to be dull.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Peugeot 307 1.6-litre HDi 110 range
PRICES: £15,050-£17,300 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 138g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.0s / Max Speed 117mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban] 45.5 / (extra urban) 65.5 / (combined) 57.6mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] Length/Width/Height mm 4202/1746/1512
