subject: Peugeot 306 Xt Hd (2001) [print this page] Peugeot's 306 diesel offers an alternative to the high petrol prices of today - and if you're like us then perhaps you hadn't considered it, either
Well, now we have. We've just spent a week driving the small Peugeot sedan with the diesel engine, and we're impressed.
Honda's Hybrid offers one way to beat the rising petrol prices, though with a bucket load of impracticalities and ergonomic compromises. Not to mention a sky-high $50k price tag - for something with only two seats and a pokey little boot.
And while diesel engines can't hope to match the frugality of the Insight, they're still a more economical alternative to petrol powered cars. Peugeot's 306 diesel offers a smarter, more practical way to beat the system - and it's ready now.
The 306 HDi is powered by a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, complete with intercooler. Its 67 kiloWatts of power aren't going to blow you away on paper, but suffice to keep you moving, thanks in part to the car's relatively light kerb weight of just 1165kg.
Rather, it's that friend of all diesel engines - the torque - that makes this a vehicle with urge. Exactly 211 Newton metres - on par with a Honda Accord - pushes you relentlessly onwards, dispelling any remaining myths about diesels being slow and lethergic drives.
And what about noise? Forget the memories of dad's diesel Pug, or the neighbours' black smoke belching LandCruiser, this diesel is refined. In fact you'd never know it's a diesel to drive. It's quiet, it's responsive, and it's got power.
The 306 sedan comes with tilt adjustable power steering and air conditioning as standard, along with an engine immobiliser and electric windows and mirrors. Overall it puts up a damn good argument for taking a second look at a diesel powered car - until you discover it has that one trademark Peugeot flaw.
I haven't driven a Peugeot yet that the pedals didn't 'catch' or stick in their travel - and the 306 diesel is no different. Smooth operation of the clutch when in gridlocked traffic, or trying to ease away from the lights in the wet is much harder than it should be simply because Peugeot can't make a pedal with a decent action.
It seems like such a minor complaint - but the pedals are, along with the steering wheel, the drivers main interface with the car. Would you tolerate working at a flickering computer screen?
