Roof gets the boot

Open top motoring at the touch of a button. Who wouldn't fancy that? At last there's a range of cars on offer for those who want the solid feel of a saloon, yet the chance to experience real open-air motoring, and not just through an over-sized sunroof.

Then there's the security that comes with foldaway metal roofs, perfect for those who fear some yob with a Stanley knife shredding their soft-top.

Despite our inclement weather, convertibles are showing rapid growth in the Irish market as we demand more style, variety and individuality. The new 307CC follows the enormous success of its smaller sibling, the 206 CC. Thanks in part to this, the convertible market here was 3,425 last year, up from 1,783 in 1997.

When it comes to styling of course, the French do try to play their part. Ironically, while owners turn to these cars for some form of individuality, both French entrants - the new Megane coupé cabriolet and the 307CC - are virtually identical. However, the resemblance was diplomatically avoided by Peugeot marketing staff, who neglected to list the Renault among the 307's competitors. In any event, there's probably enough room for both models in a market that's rapidly expanding both here and on the Continent.

So to the 307CC. While Peugeot were at pains to point out it's not meant as a sports car, with performance figures relative to the regular 307 hatchback, there is a more potent option on offer - powered by a 180 bhp two-litre, the same engine that's in the new 206 Gti.

Due here by mid-December, just in time for the New Year sales, four versions of the 307CC will be available: a 1.6-litre petrol at €31,895 ex-works, two-litre petrol (138 bhp) at €36,095; two-litre auto €37,695 and the 180 bhp two-litre at €41,395. Given our penal tax system, the 1.6-litre will be the best seller here.

After two long excursions behind the wheel in both the 100 bhp and 130 bhp versions, we got the impression that styling took precedence over driver enjoyment when the car was being conceived. We didn't notice any great difference in performance between the two, and averaged about 35 mpg.

But it's the design that won us over, and we expect it will prove popular even among current coupé owners. From its raked windscreen to its fancy LED lamp clusters at the rear, the car could capture the hearts of those previously won over by the ageing 406 Coupé, though perhaps not in terms of performance. As for the roof, it disappears into the boot in 20 seconds at the touch of a button.

There is a price to pay for folding all that hard metal into the boot, however. Space is at a premium, and while the boot retains decent storage space with the roof down, we have always found the back seats in these cars to be more about the principle of having them than any practicality.

The 307CC's rear seats can take two adults and in that regard it is a "full four-seater", but head room is restricted by the sloping roof and leg room would be cramped over any sort of long journey, and space is confined if the person in the front seat is over 6 foot. Up front and the Peugeot is comfortable to drive, but on the open French motorways there is some wind noise from the rear pillars with the roof up.

Peugeot is predicting sales of 160 here, but suggest there would be a larger market if they could secure more deliveries from France. While that's bad news for those who might find themselves on a waiting list, it should be good news for the 307CC's resale value.

While we put up serious mileage in the 307, we also fitted in a few hundred miles behind the wheel of Peugeot's flagship 607, now replete with a new six-speed gearbox. Not due here until next spring, it was mated with the 2.2-litre HDi and offered lower revs for motorway runs, something that would have been appreciated on the 307CC.

Peugeot seems to be gearing up for a busy future, with the long-awaited arrival of the 407, replacement to the current 406. This is due for launch in saloon format in March, quickly followed by the roomier SW version. Then there'll be a new 107 by 2005, and a 307 saloon, currently built in China, but not due here until 2006. The new look of the 407 will herald a design change across the Peugeot range in the coming years. As the 307CC shows, the reign of the boxy saloons may be coming to an end.