2011 Peugeot 308 CC Officially Launched In Malaysia

The Peugeot 308 CC has been officially launched in Malaysia for RM 186,888 (OTR pricing with insurance), much lower than the RM 200K pricing indicated last week. The first of four models to be launched by Nasim in 2011, the 308 CC replaces the 207 CC as the only coupe-cabriolet in Peugeot's local model range. With 15 bookings in the bag, Nasim is closer to reaching the 100-unit annual sales target set for the 308 CC.

Visually, the Peugeot corporate face is instantly recognisable, though the 308 CC features a more steeply-raked windscreen compared with its hatchback sibling and an electrically-retractable two-piece metal roof that folds away within 20 seconds, even at driving speeds up to 12 km/h. Sharing the same chassis as the 308 hatchback, the 308 CC comes with extra chassis stiffening to cope with the loss of rigidity without a permanent roof structure.

Driving the front-wheel-drive Peugeot coupe-cabriolet is the 156 hp, 240 Nm 1.6-litre Prince engine, equipped with twin-scroll turbocharging and direct injection, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and a Sport mode. The engine, co-developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW, is also used in the 308 Turbo, 3008 and 5008.

The list of equipment is comprehensive, including 18" alloys, dynamic directional xenon headlamps with automatic height adjustment, LED tail lights, dual-zone climate control, full leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable front seats with memory function for the driver's seat, a retractable 7" LCD screen, 10 speaker/240-watt JBL Hi-Fi system, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Safety is well-catered for in the five-star Euro NCAP- rated 308 CC. Joining the expected braking, traction and stability controls are six airbags inclusive of the world's first side head airbags and a roll-over protection system that deploys extendable aluminium bars from behind the rear head restraints within 20 milliseconds upon detection of a roll-over.