Peugeot celebrates 75 years of coupe-cabriolets
June 24, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Peugeot will next month celebrate the 75th anniversary of its invention of the retractable steel roof when it releases the all-new 308 CC.
Peugeot was the first car manufacturer to feature an electrically retractable steel roof on its 401 Eclipse, a car built in collaboration with the designer Paulin, Peugeot concessionaire Darl’Mat, and coach-builder Pourtout.
Only 79 examples of the 401 Eclipse (pictured below) were ever built and it remains one of the most iconic vehicles of its time. In the years to follow the same technology was applied to 301, 402 and 601 models.
For modern CC fans, the all-new 308 CC will feature Peugeot’s award-winning 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and will also boast a five-star EuroNCap rating.
“The technology has come a long way in 75 years; to the point where this version opens or closes in 20 seconds,” said Peugeot Automobiles Australia’s General Manger/ Director, Ken Thomas. “While the Eclipse’s distinctly art deco appearance marks it as a classic design of its time, the sculpted lines of the 308 CC mark it as a masterpiece of today. The innovation behind Peugeot introducing an electric retractable steel roof in 1934 can be traced through to Peugeot introducing the world’s first side head airbag in the 308 CC in 2009. Over 10 per cent of Peugeot sales in Australia are coupé cabriolets – proving that the concept invented by Peugeot 75 years ago continues to grow in popularity today.”
The 308 CC will begin arriving in Peugeot dealerships in July.
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& here I was thinking all this time that Mercedes invented this genre with the 1st generation SLK…. I stand corrected!
Let Peugeot bask in the glory of celebrating the invention of this expensive, heavy, complicated, trouble-prone, manhood-depleting, unwanted attention-attracting, ugly piece of motoring irrelevance for a few minutes, then let’s move on.
Okay, I’m keeping my options open. I’ll test drive this 308 CC once released and compare if it can really level up with SLK. Anyway, it’s nice to know they’re in the business for 75 years already.
And note, they’ve been in business since the late 1800’s.
Captain Mainwaring, question for you.
What do you have against the 308CC specifically? Have you not taken note that Peugeot has been around for quite a bit of time. Dating back to 1810 actually when the brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frederic Peugeot converted a mill into a steel foundry and plant for making saw blades. Yes it started with saw blades!
Either way they were still the first to make the electronic retractable roof, actually the first for a lot of things. First rubber tyres fitted to a petrol engined 4 wheel car, DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder, independant front suspension, automatic cooling fan, electric sliding doors, and the 3 Guinness World Records broken!
So seriously, before we “move on” consider that we will be moving on to bigger and better things with a whole lot more “First’s” to come by the French car maker.
This new vehicle is relevant enough for us, being the first convertible with side head airbag.
Lets hope more car makers out there follow this quality and innovative brand.
i really like the look of the 308 cc. it doesnt look as frogish as the hatch and the shape is just superb.
Mark-E, what have my comments got to do with Peugeot making saw blades and rubber tyres? And I didn’t say anything about the 308CC, but since you’ve reminded me I will now. It’s an ugly little car of indeterminate gender.
I just happen to think that folding metal roofs are a colossal waste of time, money and engineering resource. If Peugeot wants to make a big thing of inventing this idea, good on them.
I’d rather hold Peugeot in awe for staying in business so long, making the 404 which kept Africa in transport for so long, and making the awesome diesel which just won Le Mans.