Peugeot 206 CC RANGE
Cant Decide If You Want A Coupe Or A Cabriolet? Budget Wont Stretch To A Mercedes SLK? Help Is At Hand In The Pert Shape Of The
Peugeot 206 CC. Jonathan Crouch Checks Out The Latest Models
Peugeots 206 Coupe/Cabrio gave us a pretty good idea of the future of convertible car design when it was launched back in the year 2000. These days, folding metal hard-tops are de rigeur across this sector of the market but the little 206 still rules the roost in the affordable part of the drop-top sector.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
 |
| Value |
|
But perhaps not for much longer. Vauxhalls latest Tigra employs the same approach and is already selling in useful numbers. As is Fords more conventionally-hooded little StreetKa. Time for a re-think at
Peugeot.
Not a far-reaching one mind you. The life of this car still has too far to run for that. No, the British importers decided, some marketing tweaks were needed. So we have lower prices, a wider choice of models and more equipment the usual recipe in other words for manufacturers in this position.
The 206CC range had already recently been enhanced with the announcement of a 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel version and this variant makes a prominent appearance in the latest line-up. Not in £13,495 entry-level guise of course. That spot is occupied by a 1.
6-litre petrol unit in new Zest spec which carries with it a more affordable £13,495 price tag. Mind you, for that, you still get a CD stereo with steering wheel controls, a leather steering wheel, sports front seats, electrically operated and heated mirrors, front foglights, electric windows all round, twin front airbags and power steering.
"This little Peugeot continues to model the future of drop-top car design"
Most buyers however, will probably scrape together another £500 and go for the Sport version, which adds to this tally with 16-inch alloy wheels and air conditioning. At this level, you can also opt for the 1.6-litre diesel (which costs £14,695) or in petrol form, go for a 4-speed tiptronic-style automatic gearbox. If you want more, then you can specify either of these two engines (or the range-topping 2.
0-litre petrol unit) in flagship Allure guise. Here, you get digital air conditioning with climate control, leather seats, a high-spec JBL hi-fi stereo, automatic headlights and wipers, side airbags at the front, aluminium interior detailing and, to protect it all, a Thatcham Class One alarm system. Prices start at £14,995 for the 1.6-litre petrol variant, rising to £15,695 for the identically priced 2.
0-litre petrol and HDI models. Otherwise, the 206CC recipe is much the same as ever. Operating the roof is still 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 is still as appealing as its exterior, thanks to a lower seating position than you get in, say, a 206 GTi hatchback, making for a sportier feel. 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, boot space is minimal. 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 138bhp 2.
0-litre 16-valve engine used in the top Allure model certainly helps with the fun factor. Its the same unit which powers the 206 GTi, although in this instance theres a bit more weight to haul about, so the edge is taken off outright acceleration. Nonetheless, a rest to sixty time of 8.7 seconds is pretty swift, and a top speed of 127mph should be enough for most.
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, with wind noise notable by its absence. 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. Overall, the 206CC continues to have an appetising blend of qualities. It might not be built in the UK, but at least heres the sort of cabriolet that seems to have been designed for the great British summer. Its convertible approach continues to model the future of drop-top car design.
Thats one prediction thats as certain as soggy Septembers in Skegness
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Peugeot 206 CC range
PRICES: £13,495-£15,695 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 166-191g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0] 0-60mph 8.7s / Max Speed 127mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0] (urban) 25mpg / (extra urban) 45mpg / (combined) 35mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 3835/1652/1432
<< Back to Peugeot car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Peugeot Cars For Sale UK
