PEUGEOT 307 CC 2005 test drive - 2008 convertible

The demon of the roof

How to become a real macho, playboy, an irresistible conqueror of female hearts? How to achieve one hundred percent location of the opposite sex? What is needed so that your careless gesture or just a whirlwind is thrown even the coldest beauty? We know the answer.
 
It is not necessary to be Casanova to win the girl’s heart. Three minutes ago, she sailed over the crowd, demonstrating complete detachment from the vain world. But something happened. A light of curiosity caught fire in the eyes, and the young lady regrets the rapidly taken away silver convertible. Here it is, real male revenge for millions of failed dating with the help of the question: girl, how much time is it now? Here the situation is opposite. You are the owner of the provision, which allows you to quit the interested as things without any tricks in response? Cold and so somehow everything.
 
Filming of the car was carried out in the countertop alley of Moscow, which is a pedestrian zone. Two magazine employees ran around the car with flashes, and the photographer, setting the camera on a massive tripod, significantly pressed the button from time to time. A rather dense crowd of curious, most of which was the ladies made up around us, quickly formed. They, like hypnotized, looked from the convertible to the camera, and then back. Needless to say, we felt someone between Delon and Banderas.
 
Popular in Europe, Peugeot 307 CC has become one of the last high -profile premieres of our market. Is it worth it to lay out two costs of ordinary puff for the presence of a rigid folding roof?
 
The choice of configurations is not rich. Only options with a conventional or leather interior, a small list of additional options and two types of transmission are possible-a 5-speed mechanics or a 4-speed Tiptronic machine with manual switching. For the test we took a version with a leather salon, air conditioning, heated seats, steering wheel adjustment in two planes and ESP. Dealers in Moscow are asking for a similar stuffed car $ 40 thousand. The cheapest option with a mechanical KP and without skin will cost $ 34 thousand.
 
So on the road. Stylish car! Handsome! How lovely! - This is only a small part of those remarks that happened to be heard on the streets. This car was created in order to amuse the owner’s pride. Admiration, envious sighs - this is the environment of his habitat. Indeed, 307 SS is okay. Massive doors without window frames emphasize swiftness. Spectacular rear lights add sports and aggression. But this fades into the background, when the driver by pressing the button launches a real magnet for the eyes of others. The main highlight of the compartment is a rigid folding roof. Sometimes it seems that in those twenty seconds that she smoothly leaves for the trunk, some passers -by forget where and why they went. Fascinating sight! Sometimes I want to specifically stand at a traffic light, to indulge in a cherished button, which one smart person wittily called the erogenous zone. This is a truly inexplicable feeling when you realize that at least half a minute everyone around us wants to be in your place.
 
As soon as the roof occupies a rightful place behind the rear seats, an almost four -seater salon appears to the eye. For him, the owner will not be ashamed. The front panel contours, covered with skin,, coupled with inserts under aluminum, give a feeling of qualityness and unique style. A spacious glove box is equipped with air conditioning and comfortable fasteners for glasses and even a ballpoint pen.
 
In addition, the salon is distinguished by thoughtful ergonomics. Although several mistakes can still be found. For example, beautiful devices are not informative. At night, with the backlight on, you have to literally peer into the readings of the devices. Beautiful leather seats pleased with excellent side support and a well -verified profile. However, the disadvantage should be recognized as the absence of an adjustable lumbar backup.
 
After spending a certain time behind the steering wheel, you begin to notice specific French things. Holding switches, seats adjusting handles - everything is unified with other cars of the PSA Peugeot -Citroen concern. This is not bad, especially if 307 CC will become the second Peugeot in your family. Do not get used to the buttons and control levers. Everything is familiar.
 
Contrary to expectations, the rear seats are able to provide tolerable comfort for two passengers tall no more than 180 cm in trips at short distances.
 
Surprised the volume of the trunk. With the laid out roof, it is 350 liters and is slightly inferior to ordinary sedans. True, the luggage compartment of the Cabert compartment abounds with protrusions and niches. With a folded roof, miracles cannot be expected. In the remaining 250 liters you can put only a couple of sports bags.
 
A two -liter engine with a capacity of 137 hp. It has a confident traction in the zone of low and medium revolutions. Loss of traction after 4000 min-1 in combination with the anti-inflammatory thoughtful automata nullifies a feeling of good dynamics. Even in manual mode, the change of gears is accompanied by significant delay and jerks. Eh, change the automatic transmission settings! In this case, the characteristics of the engine could be used more efficiently. Fortunately, he spins quite willingly, accompanying the growth of revolutions with a strained sound from under the hood. It becomes annoying after 3000 min-1.
 
I must admit that vibro -acoustic comfort barely reaches the four. The screech of the motor, the noise of the tires, the extraordinary noise of the brakes turned out to be unexpected phenomena for the machine of $ 40,000. For the sake of fairness, we note that with the roof and raised glass the noise of the wind in the cabin is almost not heard.
 
As for the suspension, even given the claim to sports, the engineers clearly overdid it with rigidity. The mass of the car increased by almost 200 kg, which could not but affect the chassis settings. Probably, the driver will not notice anything on good European roads, but even the slightest bumps on Moscow streets have to feel with the whole body. When driving along rough asphalt, the salon is filled with a low -frequency rumble accompanied by unpleasant vibrations. Perhaps the smoothness of the course and comfort are sacrificed to good controllability?
 
Indeed, the Peugeot 307 CC behaves perfectly on the road. In steep turns, the car pleases with minimal rolls and adequate feedback on the steering wheel. When the ESP system is turned on, the puffer clearly monitors the trajectory, until the last, preventing the driver from sending a convertible to the skid. If the terminal stability system is turned off, then the machine demonstrates quite logical and easily controlled front -wheel drive habits for discharge of gas. The only disadvantage is the work of the gearbox, which significantly complicates the traction control in an emergency.
 
The steering power steering in good faith copes with its functions. Reconciled sensitivity, good feedback and the lack of vibrations are the key to unity of the car and the driver. A good relationship between the steering mechanism and suspension free the driver from frequent steering, especially at high speeds.
 
They cope well with work and brakes, guaranteeing an effective slowdown. But here it was not without a spoonful of tar. If you can reconcile with noises when braking described above, then the work of ABS causes a very unpleasant sensation. During an emergency stop, the operation of the anti -lock system is accompanied by indecently large vibrations on the brake pedals.
 
Summing up, I want to say that the Peugeot 307 CC is not for everyone. This is not a car at all, but an expensive toy for pleasure. Moreover, unlike many other convertibles, our CC due to the iron top is suitable for year -round use in Russia. Playboys, dare!
 
Technical characteristics of Peugeot 307 CC
 
Body - Cabilet compartment
Equipped mass, kg - 1455
Full mass, kg - 1830
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4345/1760/1420
Base, mm - 2610
Maximum speed, km/h - 204
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, C - 12
Fuel control (mixed cycle), l/100km - 8.9
Engine:
- Type - gasoline, R4
- working volume, cm3 - 1997
- Power, L.S. at min -1 - 136/6000
- Torque, NM at MIN -1 - 190/4100
- power system - electronic injection
Transmission - automatic., 4 -speed
Tire size - 205/55R16
Wheel suspension (front and rear) - independent
Brakes (front/rear) - disk., Ventil./Disk.
Steering - rack, with eur
price, rub. - 1,100,000
 
Text: Stanislav Pavlov, Maxim Pastushenko
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/2005]