A rocket on wheels

The combination of beauty and power is nearly always a head turner. But Peugeot’s 308cc convertible is more like a head-snapper.

After Peugeot’s sales manager, Fuad Abdellatif, ensured me that the exterior of the car was actually a deep brown, not black, he handed over the keys and insisted I drive away experiencing the real thrill of the two-door 308cc – with the hard top down.

Sales co-ordinator Bambi and photographer Ryan (who I conveniently squashed into the tight back seats) took some convincing due to their hair issues, but once they noticed all the double takes on the roads, I think they warmed up to the idea … and let their hair down, so to speak.

The 308cc coupe is a rocket on wheels and undoubtedly, an eye-catching vehicle.

It has a sharp styling profile that looks sporty yet still exudes elegance which is reinforced by the lengthy front windscreen that envelopes over the heads of the driver and the front seat passenger.

The headlights are what caught my attention though. They are well dressed, modern looking and fold onto the top front of the car, rather than around the corners, making the coupe seem somewhat bigger and more dominant. The rear lights also make the car look sleek and clean cut.

However, the only problem driving away with the top down in Sitra wasn’t the honks and yells from all the male attention, but rather the fear that we might just drive past a whiff of tear gas. So … I quickly clicked the button by the gearbox and 20 seconds later, whilst waiting in traffic, the automatic steel roof was back up again and we were insulated into our quiet shell.
 
Thankfully too as, not long after, a very jealous pigeon decided to do its business on the top of the windscreen.

It’s a nippy drive, as it should be, making it a fun and enjoyable experience. The 1.6litre engine produces close to 200bhp. The engine roars as it cranks up to highway speeds, just as I like it … and although it may have a heavier steering wheel than expected, it delivers a luxurious feel as the ride felt smooth even on the roughest of pock-marked, tyre-burned roads.

The interior of the car boasts white leather seats and you get everything you expect from a high-end coupe including leather steering wheel with gloss-black centre and a stylish white background to the instrument panel.

The folding armrest between the back seats adds a touch of luxury alongside the Airwave Neck Heating System that creates a cushion of warm air from the front head restraints.

The Peugeot Connect Telematic System LCD screen that rises from the dashboard gives the driver an easy way to listen to music, make phone calls safely and even get directions for the journey.

Other features include standard airbags, cruise control and speed limiter, speed sensitive power steering, parking assistance with sensors in the front and rear, electric folding mirrors, six speaker radio/CD player, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and satellite navigation.

However, if the driver decides to pick up tall passengers and dump them in the backseat, they are not going to have a good time (sorry, Ryan) as there isn’t much room for knees. The trunk space is also at a premium, unless the top is up.

Having said this, with its certain comfort and classic style, the 308cc is a great offering in the coupe range and beats most of its competitors when it comes to luxury. It looks best with the roof down, and with the current weather in the kingdom, there’s no better excuse to drop the top.

The starting price for the 308cc is BD12,550. For more information, visit the Zayani Motors showroom or call 17703703.