Peugeot: Ooh la la, Champs Elysees cruising

Experience well-rounded, relaxed and upscale driving in the Peugeot 308CC diesel. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

I'm not a natural convertible buyer. I like power, and more than that I appreciate dynamic excellence. Only two convertibles I've driven can truly supply it - Porsche's Boxster and Mazda's MX-5.

But plenty of people prefer a more rounded driving experience, with practicality and comfort as important as near-the-limit handling. And it's that market which Peugeot's appealing to with this 308CC.

It's taken a bit of a gamble, for there's only a diesel engine available. But modern diesels are far from the smokey, sluggish stereotypes of old. Their brawny bottom end - with all that low-end torque - delivers a strong enough shove off the line to impart the right feel, and performs well when braking into and hauling out of corners.

Frugal? It's all relative. This is the same, 2.0-litre turbo that powers a 308 hatch and wagon, and a 407 variant. But it's got its work cut out here, for extra stiffening and all the gubbins required to operate that clever roof add weight. The hatch tips the scales at 1522kg, the CC at a hefty 1695kg, and my test average was 8.8l/100km, including some highway cruising.

Still, this was an easy car to live with. The ergonomics are excellent; the cabin smart and refined. Rear vision is barely compromised thanks to a bigger-than-expected glass expanse, and the back seats will take an adult - just - as my 167cm fitted behind a driver seat adjusted for that height.

The roof works better than its predecessors, even on the off-camber slope of my drive, which defeats most convertibles thanks to their greater body flex.

Most impressive for style mavens was that I could drive at 100km/h with the roof down, with barely a riffle of my fairly untamable long hair. This is a convertible you really can use as a convertible - provided you're willing to risk sunburn.

You won't be risking frostbite though, not in this $64,990 upspec leather-clad variant with its heated seats, and headrest vents wafting hot air across your neck.

There are compromises, of course.

The back seat may be bigger than expected, but it's claustrophobic. If you don't want a topless car, you don't need the extra weight and associated thirst - or the compromise on boot space. There's 115 more litres than this car's 307 predecessor, but the 465-litre roof-up tally is cut to a barely useful 266 litres when the lid's folded away.

And this diesel engine may be effective during everyday driving, but its zero to 100 figure is laughably relaxed. Mind you, relaxed suits the ambience of the car - more Champs Elysees cruising than Monaco Grand Prix.

Peugeot 308CC

We like
Heated seats and neck; handsome and practical everyday proposition

We don't like
The price; and the looks are an acquired taste

Powertrain
2.0-litre direct injection turbo diesel, 100kW at 4000rpm, 320Nm at 2000rpm, six-speed Tiptronic auto drives front wheels

Performance
0-100km/h in 12.3 seconds, 7.0l/100km (claimed)

Safety
Six airbags, ESP, ABS, five-star crash test rating

What it's got
Cruise control, rear park aid, electrically folding roof, climate control air and lots more

Vital stats
4400mm long, 465/266-litre boot, 60-litre tank