Peugeot 308 CC – GT100 Limited edition sells out pre-launch

Peugeot are pretty much responsible for the whole Coupe-Cabriolet (CC) market. They practically invented the concept, and have gone on to sell pushing on 700,000 CCs in total across the 307 and 207 ranges. But now it’s time for a replacement, and the Peugeot 308 CC launches in the UK on 1st June.

As an incentive to get buyers up and running quickly, Peugeot offered a very highly specced 308 CC – the GT100 Limited Edition – to the first 100 buyers in the UK, who not only got a lot more kit but also get their new cars ahead of the official launch. But, with a couple of weeks to go to the first regular cars hitting UK showrooms, Peugeot has announced that the 308 CC GT1 LE has sold out. Which is good news for them, but not so great for those hoping to get the extra kit.

There were a fair few reliability issues with the 307 CC. Electric gremlins were commonplace and water leaks abounded. Not good, if not entirely unexpected. But Peugeot are convinced they’ve eliminated all the gremlins on the 308 CC and are, to a degree, putting their money where their mouth is. They are offering a ‘Peace of Mind Package’ (free on the GT100) which, for a pretty paltry £199, gives buyers 50,000 miles of servicing, a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty, 3 years Roadside Assistance and free Accident Assistance. Which is pretty reasonable, but it would have been better if they’d simply built this in to the standard price. For the loss of £199 I’m pretty sure that would have had a much bigger P.R. impact.

So is it any good? Well, Peugeot are the first to admit that this is a ‘Girly’ car, so perhaps style is perceived as more important than substance to Peugeot. And it is pretty stylish, if a little ungainly from some angles. A decent enough drive with good roadholding and passable handling, but the suspension is much too firm. This isn’t a blatting-around car, so why make it so unyielding?

The 308CC is marketed as a true four-seater, but you’d have to be under 12 or have the roof down to be remotely comfortable in the back. But it’s fine for kids or short journeys with a car full. The 308 CC does work well with the roof down – not much buffeting and the Mercedes-like air scarf works well on chilly days (read every other day in the UK). And the inside feels high-quality – and looks it – so there’ll be no embarrassment at the lights when you have the top down.

Engines come in a few flavours. Petrol engines offer between 118bhp and 147bhp and diesels between 110bhp and 138bhp, so no fireworks are on offer. But decent economy is there. Prices start from around £19,500 for the Peugeot 308 CC VTi 120 Sport. Which is not exactly bargain basement when the Ford Focus CC starts at £17k and the VW EOS at the same money as the 308 CC. If you’re thinking of buying one I’d wait and see if the gremlins of the 307 CC have been sorted, or opt for the Ford or VW.