Peugeot 206 CC HDi
If Youre Conflicted Between The Frivolity Of A Coupe Cabrio And The Frugality Of A Diesel Supermini,
Peugeot Have Just The Car For You. Andy Enright Reports
When it comes to blurring the boundaries, few companies are quite so adept as Peugeot. The 307 was one of the first tall family hatches, rapidly followed by a host of imitators. The 1007 will doubtless spawn a whole host of pale facsimiles and the 406 Coupe was one of the first such cars to introduce a diesel engine option. In subtly changing the way we view conventional car categories, Peugeot must be applauded and theyve done it again with the 206 Coupe Cabriolet HDi.
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Of course, there are some cynics who will claim that
Peugeot is belatedly responding to the introduction of Vauxhalls Tigra CDTi, another tin top cabrio that drinks from the black pump. Peugeots product planners will tell a different story, pointing to production bottlenecks that have been smoothed to allow greater availability of the excellent 1.6-litre 110bhp diesel powerplant. In truth, the two cars, although similar in their basic layout, will appeal to different customer subsets.
Whereas the
Vauxhall offers low budget motoring in a modern wrapping, the Peugeot concentrates on driving pleasure, offering a healthy dose of power and punchy performance all backed up by very creditworthy economy. The 206CC has long been the nations biggest selling folding hardtop car and the HDi model merely adds another string to its bow, offered in either Sport guise for £14,695 or plush Allure spec for £15,695. Nearly 9,000 206 CCs found British owners in 2004, making it easily the best selling convertible car. Whats more, the Coupe Cabriolet makes up over 10 per cent of all Peugeot 206 registrations in the UK.
Given the increasing percentage of small cars now powered by diesel engines, it was logical for Peugeot to slot a diesel into this body shape. Many expected the workmanlike 1.4-litre engine to debut, but instead Peugeot have gone the whole hog and plumbed the engine from the 206 GTi HDi into the Coupe Cabriolet. The results are impressive.
"The 206CC HDi makes buying a drop top seem eminently sensible"
Itll take a smidgeon over ten seconds to get to 60mph and a top speed of 116mph means that the car isnt short of breath at typical motorway speeds. Despite this turn of pace, the 206 CC HDi will return a combined fuel economy figure of 57.6mpg. With a chunky 180lb/ft of torque more than the range-topping 206GTi 180, note it feels a good deal quicker than the on-paper figures suggest.
An overboost facility cuts in during hard acceleration, boosting the peak torque up to 195 lb/ft for a short period. It also generates some scarcely credible emissions and economy figures. Compliant with strict Euro IV emissions regulations, this diesel engine sidesteps the three per cent benefit in kind taxation penalty normally levied on business users. It also features a particulate emission filter (FAP).
Particulates are the tiny specks of dust caused by inefficient burning of diesel fuel. They have been singled out as being one of the most notorious man-made carcinogens once released into the atmosphere. In the 206CC HDi, Peugeot have fitted a filter which traps these particulates and incinerates them every 4-500km by introducing a cerine compound to the diesel fuel. Despite its credentials, the 206CC HDi rewards a more relaxed style of driving.
Whereas many small engines require you to wring their necks to extract meaningful performance, this diesel 206 surfs along on a beefy swell of torque at speeds which are often deceptive. It also has what it takes in the twisty bits, the 307-derived electro-hydraulic variably assisted power steering removing a lot of the nervousness and kickback from the 206s helm. With ESP dynamic stability control and emergency brake assist fitted as standard, theres a decent amount of electronic back up should your enthusiasm overtake your talent. Operating the roof is simplicity itself.
Behind the sun visors are a couple of latches which 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. The interior of the little Peugeot has received some welcome attention. One of the complaints regarding the 206 GTi was that with the upright seating position and distant screen, at standstill it felt 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 are new, with firmer side supports and a more adventurous choice of trims, including optional leather. The rear seats are moulded into the back, and whilst theyre attractively styled, leg and headroom isnt the greatest. 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. The Peugeot 206CC may be a familiar face on British roads but the HDi version puts a new twist on the theme. If you like the idea of a frivolous cabriolet but want the practicality of a hardtop diesel hatch and the performance of a junior GTi, heres the perfect compromise.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot 206 Coupe Cabriolet HDi range
PRICE: £14,695-£15,695 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 130g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.2s / Max Speed 116mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 58.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 3835/1652/1432
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