2006 Peugeot 307 Reviews

The very French Peugeot 307 is stylish machine, though it retains a fair touch of conservatism in its shape to try and make it a timeless design. That has succeeded, the 307 reached us downunder way back in December 2001 and still looks fashionable enough today. The Europeans frequently use Peugeot 307s as family

Get past the long line of acronyms and the dirty diesel bowsers, and you will find refined oil.Diesel bowsers are still in the dark ages. Icky and slippery, froth at your feet, the smell of au-de-diesel lingering on the fingers for days, but the diesel drivetrain just gets better and better. The servos better catch up.Of the car companies pushing diesel engines onto a still-sceptical Australian market, Peugeot is one of the frontrunners. With the introduction of its long-awaited 206 replacement early next year, every Pug model, bar the big 607 saloon, will offer a diesel variant.Until the 207 in 2007, the most affordable diesel in the range is still the 307 HDi. Take-up of the diesel drivetrain has accounted for 48 per cent of all 307 sales, despite the absence of an automatic transmission.The new six-speed automatic gearbox, complete with sport function and manual sequential shifter, never felt more at home in a Peugeot.The 307 XSE HDi automatic features the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from the 407 ST HDi, pumping out 100kW and 320Nm and containing a trick particulate filter to make the trees by the side of the road smile (and meet emissions regulations).It is one of the more refined small-capacity diesels on the market, and matched to a sweet six-speed auto, memories of antiquated smoky oilers with shifters like tractors are well and truly gone.Although the sound of the motor is definitely diesel on start up, and the engine rock is familiar, it is difficult to hear the grumble when you get going, thanks to the cabin's sound proofing.Surprisingly, the soundproofing has not been altered from the petrol powerplant (unlike the 407, which received laminated glass to block out the diesel growl).On the road, the six-speed is perfectly matched to the low-revving engine, with smooth, instant downshifts and no trace of shift-shock.The auto is eager and willing, speeding up its response in Sport mode to pull the oiler out of its cruisy lull for effortless ascents and acceleration, often dropping two gears without complaint.Manual shifting is a little for the dummies, with first gear changing up at 3500rpm automatically while the rest of the gears refuse to hold after about 4500rpm. But at least you have the choice of manual selection, which further speeds up the shifts when needed.It is a shame the steering rack is not up to speed with the shifter. Turn in is slow, and hampered by bumps that unsettle the steering.The suspension itself copes well with road-surface changes, but turns into a bit of a boat on the bends.Granted, this is not a sports car, but it misses out a little when compared to the involving dynamics of some of its contemporary diesel competitors.But when compared to a petrol of similar capacity, the diesel offers a welcome reprieve from high-revving anxiety on the wrong side of the broken white line - overtaking is never a problem.Neither is the fuel use, at a tardy 6.7L/100km claimed, and 7.6L/100km on test from the trip computer after a spirited two-hour drive.This is significantly higher than the manual, which claims 5.4L/100km, but makes up for it with an effortless drive.The auto carries a $2,200 premium over the manual at $34,790, with a touring wagon priced at $36,490.Peugeot is releasing yet another diesel next month, an “affordable” base 407SR HDi. This release corresponds with the Australian International Motor Show, where Pug will also feature its 307 CC Hybride concept car.A 1.6-litre diesel-electric hybrid with a claimed fuel use of 3.4L/100km, the concept is planned for production in 2010, once the price is worked down to a feasible level.But it may prove to be too little too late. Considering the rapid rate of refinement from small-capacity diesels, the fuel use from a regular diesel engine will probably be almost as low by then. Samantha Stevens is a roadtester on the CARSguide team. Her work appears here and in the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews will appear in the Sunday Telegraph.

Now the French firm has added a bigger, more powerful diesel to its 307.Joining the 1.6-litre diesel in the five-model 307 range is the direct-injection turbo, 16-valve 2-litre XSE HDi.Power is up 20kW to 100kW, but more important to the driveability and carrying capacity of the vehicle is the massive 80Nm increase in torque to 320Nm which is comparable with most large family sedans.At 9.8 seconds, it is two seconds faster to 100km/h than the 1600cc diesel.Despite the power and torque boost, fuel economy is not greatly affected. Around-town driving in the sedan increases fuel consumption from 6.1l/100km to 7.1 but highway driving is barely affected. The company claims just a .2l/100km increase.And for the greenies, Peugeot also claims its HDi diesel technology reduces CO2 emissions by 20 per cent compared with a conventional diesel.I recently had the Touring (wagon) model, which has ever-so-slightly higher fuel consumption figures.But compared with my last drive in a 307 diesel wagon, this is almost a race car.The engine has plenty of life, revving just a little higher than most other diesels.Off the starting line, there is a strong pull with a slight turbo surge around 2000-2500rpm.Yet neither the initial grunt nor the surge provoked more than a frail torque steer tug on the wheel, something other front-wheel-drive turbo-diesel manufacturers could learn from.Fuel economy is aided by a tall sixth gear in the six-speed manual-only model which purrs along at a gentle 1800rpm at 100km/h. (An auto arrives later this year.)You will, however, need to drop two gears if you want to overtake.At idle there is the familiar diesel clatter which only BMW has been able to effectively dampen in the 530d. It's not calamitous in the cabin, but it will turn heads as people walking by think your engine is about to explode.Once you feed it some revs, like all diesels, the noise disappears. The 307 is very quiet on the open road with minimal road, tyre or wind noise.The streamlining also provides a huge panoramic windscreen. The only problem with that is that it cramps the engine bay.Ride is on the plush side with a small amount of accompanying body roll, but little pitch and few unnerving cornering characteristics, although steering is a little soft and vague.French cars are typically built for comfort and long legs. They are ideal for touring and this is no exception.For a smallish car, the 307 Touring is quite big inside, especially the headroom, and could easily accommodate a family of five (or four adults) on long trips.There remains some typically French quirkiness about the vehicle.For example, the audio system is totally incomprehensible. There is nothing intuitive about it.I'm sure with the correct instructions it would become easier, but the manual wasn't in the test car, so attempts to change radio stations, etc met with frustration and static.The control and cruise control stalks are also fiddly with the up-volume control simply being faulty. The speedo shows 50, 70, 90 and 110km/h but not the major speed zones we have (60, 80, 100).The auto wipers were also a nuisance, coming on in broad daylight on a fine day. I couldn't find the rear wiper although I stumbled on it accidentally then couldn't find it again later.On the plus side, there is that panoramic windscreen, frugal economy, strong power, auto headlights, a chilled glovebox, auto up and down windows, a huge and flat-floored cargo area, and a full-size spare alloy wheel under the cargo floor, although it does live under the car and has to be laboriously wound down.At $33,990, the Pug wagon makes an attractive alternative for anyone economising from a mid-sized car or SUV who still wants cargo-hauling touring ability. The hatchback is $32,290.

Well, not really but when we go to the "servo" once a fortnight and put in our obligatory 40 bucks worth of diesel, people who own petrol 4WDs or big sedans don't like it at all.They put about $100 worth in a week. That could be going on lifestyle: the wine cellar, Fox TV, a night out.That's what we spend it on.We can't help it if they made the wrong life decision and went the gas guzzling route rather than the fuel sipping diesel Pug route.And then there is the car itself.It's all good, well nearly all good, an automatic would be even better but that's on the way according to Peugeot.Engine performance is strong and there's plenty of standard equipment. It's easy to park, comfortable for four adults and looks good.The 307 Hdi we've had in the garage for a few months is a car for the times. And even though it's a 1.6, there is no cringe factor associated with performance. It has at least as much roll-on acceleration as a 2.0-litre petrol car and is no slouch out of the blocks. Practically the only downside from the engine is a diesel sound at idle but that is muted and fades once underway. The gearbox is easy to use as is the clutch.Standard equipment includes climate control, aircon, ABS and quality audio along with all electric ancillaries. The remote operated windows-up function is excellent.We use the car often as a wagon even though it's a hatch. The rear seats fold opening a space big enough to fit two mountain bikes on their side and other stuff.It's comfortable offering generous size seats and adequate rear seat legroom. The boot is large.At a tick under $30,000, the Peugeot 307 Hdi 1.6 certainly deserves a look, especially if you hate spending squillions on fuel and don't want to suffer an underperforming, space challenged light car.Peugeot has just launched an updated version of the 307 with improved looks, more equipment and a lower price.That's what we like to hear.