Peugeot 308 CC Gets Five Stars

HOMEBUSH BAY, AUSTRALIA – July 13, 2009: The 308 CC has received the top rating of five stars from EuroNcap in the “adult occupancy test” with a total of 36 points (out of a possible maximum 37).

There is a range of both innovative and tried and tested safety features on the new 308 CC that all contribute to the achievement of such a rating.

They include a world first side head airbag and a chest/pelvis side airbag, both built into the front seats, helping to effectively protect all vital parts of the body regardless of the seat’s position at the time of impact.

In the event of roll-over, the 308 CC is equipped with active extendable aluminium roll-over protection bars entirely concealed in the rear head restraints.

They are triggered the moment a risk situation is detected, taking into account vehicle speed and an angular deployment determined by an algorithm.

As soon as the instruction to deploy is received, the roll-over protection bars are extended in less than 20 milliseconds (in less than the blink of an eye), helping to create a passenger survival cell in concert with the strengthened windscreen pillars.

While the structure of the 308 CC is derived from its sibling, the 308 hatchback, further work has been carried out – in addition to this model’s specific safety features – to ensure an excellent level of passive safety.

The structure shares the same design of the engine compartment as the hatchback, with three impact absorption structures, but significant adaptations have been made to the upper structure which is connected to the specially reinforced “A” post.

The adapted sills are capable of resisting a force of 12 tonnes, while the larger doors follow the example of the three-door 308 in terms of impact strength and offer a resistance of 6.5 tonnes.

Fitted above the “A” post, the front windscreen pillar is constructed from two layers of material of different thickness to contribute both to the car’s strength and its protection in the event of a rollover.

These developments are the result of findings in “loss of control” vehicle tests used to simulate a severe rollover situation.

The 308 CC is equipped with front airbags with a capacity of 60 litres for the driver and 90 litres for the passenger, while chest/pelvis side airbags have a capacity of 12 litres and the side head airbag is 9 litres.

The directional Xenon headlamps available on the 308 CC S model are a practical active safety feature, allowing the driver to “see around corners” in dark conditions.

The ventilated front disc brakes measure 302x26mm and the rear disc brakes are 249x9mm, and the brakes are coupled with an emergency brake assist system.

A Bosch 8.1 ESP system is standard on all 308 CC models and includes ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and stability control.