Peugeot 206 CC

As far as good plans go, this one would seem to be right up there with booking a holiday to Iraq or not keeping a proper eye on your chip pan. Yes, just as the clocks go back, the evenings vanish and autumn starts its wet and windy onslaught, we've taken delivery of a soft-top. Well, the last part of that statement isn't strictly true, because the Peugeot 206 Coup� Cabriolet features a folding hard-top rather than a conventional canvas arrangement.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Oliver Marriage

November 2002

As far as good plans go, this one would seem to be right up there with booking a holiday to Iraq or not keeping a proper eye on your chip pan. Yes, just as the clocks go back, the evenings vanish and autumn starts its wet and windy onslaught, we've taken delivery of a soft-top. Well, the last part of that statement isn't strictly true, because the Peugeot 206 Coupé Cabriolet features a folding hard-top rather than a conventional canvas arrangement.
And that's exactly what we hope will make it such a fine proposition over the winter months - with the hood up, it should be as refined as a coupé. So far, so good, then. And our 206 CC certainly has far less noise intrusion than any conventional cabriolet. This was ably demonstrated when I drove it straight after a Porsche Boxster. It was the Peugeot that was the better insulated machine, with superior soundproofing on motorways than the ΂£30,000-plus Porsche.
Another bonus point is that the Peugeot drop-top feels more cosy, secure and welcoming when the weather outside is wilder than Ken Dodd's hair. If only the 206 CC matched the engineering expertise of the Porsche in other areas, too... for our Coupé Cabrio is not without its problems. Just because it has a hard-top doesn't mean you won't get wet. True, the roof doesn't seem to leak, but if it's been raining you need to take care when getting out. Because there's no guttering on the roof, when you open the door water dribbles in. I think our Associate Editor Mike Askew (pictured above) has the right idea - keep an umbrella handy. And when those rare occasions do arise and you can lower the roof, take care to do it out of earshot - the roof may look elegant as it neatly deposits itself in the boot, but the whining motors are rather noisy.
In fact, it's not only the roof's electrics that are proving a cause for concern. I used to run a 307 XSi and was constantly frustrated by the confusing multiplex system. The 206 CC has a similar set-up which features automatic headlight operation - ie they come on in the dark and have a couple of other functions, such as staying on for half a minute after you lock the doors. That's all very well, but despite pressing the 'auto' button at the end of the column stalk, we can't find out how to turn the function off. Most frustratingly of all, the trip computer's range indicator stops telling you how much further you can travel once it drops under the 20 miles mark - just when you need it most.
At least I'm prepared for the space constraints that 206 CC ownership brings. The rear seats are unusable: it's physically impossible to get a full-grown adult in the back - believe me, I've tried. And although the boot is big with the roof up, the only time I've attempted to slot suitcases in was with it down. Suffice to say I think I'll have to invest in some soft, squashy bags that can be shoved through the narrow gap.
Things aren't much better in the front. The awkward driving position is no better than you'll find in any other 206 and the gearbox has an equally long throw. But as far as the driving experience goes, there are no complaints. With 138bhp this 2.0-litre model has a good turn of speed, and even sounds pretty fruity. It's just a pity that's not all you hear on the move - the rattles and squeaks as the body flexes are unnerving. Let's just hope they don't get any worse as we head into winter.