- Flexible 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines
- Manual transmission has light clutch pedal and accurate gearshifts
- Competent ride/handling balance
- Well-weighted steering provides good feel
- Body shudders over bumps
- Below average build quality
Review: Peugeot N5.I 306 Cabriolet (1997-99)
Overview
Released in July 1997, the Peugeot N5 Phase I (N5.I) 306 Cabriolet was a four-seat convertible with a power-operated soft-top roof. Designed by Pininfarina and manufactured in Poissy, France, the front-wheel drive 306 Cabriolet was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Compared to the N3 306 Cabriolet , the N5 306 Cabriolet was 35 mm longer (at 4179 mm) and 9 mm narrower (1680 mm), though height (1356 mm) and wheelbase length (2540 mm) were unchanged. Furthermore, the 306 Cabriolet had independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, lower control arms and an anti-roll bar; the independent rear suspension had trailing arms, transverse torsion bars and an anti-roll bar.
The 306 Cabriolet’s soft-top roof was opened by twisting a pair of release handles on the leading edge of the roof and then pressing a button on the console; the electro-hydraulically operated roof would then fold away under its cover in less than twenty seconds.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 306 Cabriolet | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
100 kW at 5500 rpm | 187 Nm at 4200 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the N5 306 Cabriolet included a driver’s airbag, ABS, front seatbelt pretensioners.
Features
Standard features for the N5 306 Cabriolet included 15-inch ‘Cyclone’ alloy wheels with Pirelli P6000 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows and an immobiliser. In October 1998, standard features were extended to include a CD player.
1998 306 Cabriolet Special
In October 1998, a limited number of special 306 Cabriolets were released that were fitted with a CD player and colour-matched roofs.
Review: Peugeot N5.II 306 Cabriolet (1999-02)
Overview
Released in August 1999, the N5 Phase II (N5.II) 306 Cabriolet could be identified by its double parabola headlights with glass lenses, ‘crystal’ lens side indicators and high relief Peugeot Lion badge on the boot lid. Inside, there were new instrument graphics with white needles and brushed metallic finishes for the gear knob, parking brake release button, ventilation controls and automatic gearbox control fascia.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 306 Cabriolet | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
100 kW at 5500 rpm | 187 Nm at 4200 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its N5.I predecessor, standard safety equipment was extended to include a front passenger airbag and front seat-mounted side (thorax) airbags.
Features
Standard features were extended to include a CD player and rain-sensing wipers. From October 2000, leather trim was fitted as standard.
Limited Edition
In October 2001, a Limited Edition 306 Cabriolet was released which featured a six-disc CD changer and could be identified by its ‘Moonstone’ metallic paint finish. Australian deliveries of the 306 Cabriolet Limited Edition were limited to 50 vehicles.
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