First new car launch of 2011: Peugeot 308 CC by Nasim
Nasim Sdn Bhd, official distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, got the 2011 automotive industry calendar rolling with the year’s first new car launch yesterday – the Peugeot 308 CC at Bangsar Shopping Centre, where the car will remain on display until 9 January 2011.
Launched globally at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the 308 CC arrives at our shores with a price tag of RM186,888 inclusive of insurance in Peninsula Malaysia. A range of petrol and diesel engines are available, but Malaysia will only be getting the familiar 1.6-litre Prince engine already seen in the 308, 3008 and 5008.
Engine outputs are the same, as Peugeot specified the 308 CC for our market with the twin-scroll turbo direct injected engine in the same 156hp/240Nm state of tune as seen in the aforementioned models. Just as familiar to us now is the AT6 6-speed automatic transmission sourced from Aisin also seen in the said models.
Under its skin, the 308 CC carries over the underpinnings of the 308 hatch with minor modifications. Suspension geometry is unaltered, so it is the same MacPherson strut and torsion beam layout as the hatch. Ride height, however, has been lowered by 12mm up front and 8mm behind. At the four corners, 225/40 tyres wrap around 18″ x 8J Lincancabur alloy wheels.
The 308 CC features dynamic directional xenon headlamps with auto height adjustment and washers. LEDs light up the rear to create a jewel-like effect. Inside, the 308 hatch-based cabin is now clad in premium leather. Entertainment is provided by a JBL Hi-Fi system connected to a retractable high-res 7″ screen, a 240 watt amplifier and 10 speakers.
Other premium features inside the 308 CC include dual zone air-conditioning, electric front seats with memory functionality for the driver’s seat, and Bluetooth connectivity. The 308 CC’s party piece is of course, a two-piece electrically retractable roof that folds within 20 seconds that can turn the car into a coupe or a cabriolet.
For the safety conscious, the 308 CC carries a 5-star rating by Euro NCAP, with six airbags backing its credentials. It features a pair of side head airbags deployed laterally from the head rests. Roll-over protection, an essential safety concern for convertibles, consists of active aluminium roll-over protection bars which pops up within 20 milliseconds of a roll-over. Other safety features standard on the 308 CC include ESP, ABS, EBD, EBA, Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR), Dynamic Stability Control and two ISOFIX location points at the rear seats.
Being a niche model, Nasim’s sales target for the 308 CC are modest, with aim being to sell in the region of 100 units per year, translating to about 8 units per month. Initial response is nevertheless encouraging, as the company already has 15 orders in its books as of launch time.
