Along with its smaller stablemate, the 206 CC coupe cabriolet, the distinctive looking two-door Peugeot is providing affordable convertible motoring with a real luxury touch.

Icing on the 307 CC cake is a fully electrically operated retractable metal hardtop that allows the car to offer the best of both worlds.

With the roof erected, the 307 is a cosy sporting coupe, yet at the touch of a button the Peugeot is transformed into a stylish open car in less than 25 seconds.

In the unlikely event of a roll-over accident, twin roll hoops pop up behind the rear headrests to protect occupants.

This automatic deployment of telescopic roll-over bars located in a reinforced rear bulkhead is in addition to a more rigid body structure and special design features unique to the car.

Compared to other 307 models, the CC has an increased rake for the redesigned windscreen pillars that are made from high-strength steel. These are designed to limit deformation in an accident.

The complete roof cycle includes lowering of the side windows and optional raising of the windows when the roof is being erected. Just in case you happen to get caught in the rain, the procedure can be activated on the move at speeds up to 10 km/h.

A new sporting frontal design influenced by the award-winning Peugeot 407 stamps a real point of difference on the new 307 CC.

There are larger elliptical headlamps with 20 percent greater luminosity, an aluminium bonnet, a prominent grille and integrated bumper with spotlights.

Despite the new styling and many improvements, the latest 307 CC Dynamic carries the same $53,990 recommended retail price as the previous model.

Packed with safety features, the CC is the only version in the five model 307 range sold in New Zealand to have the Bosch 5.7 electronic stability programme (ESP) as standard.

The specification also includes ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution (EBFD), emergency brake assist (EBA) and side impact absorbent front door padding. An excellent four-star Euro NCAP safety crash testing rating has been awarded to the 307 CC.

Until recently, an electric folding metal roof has been the preserve of highly expensive luxury models out of the financial reach of most buyers.

But Peugeot, firstly with the popular 206 CC that launched in 2001, and now with the 307 CC, have bought the world of convenient open air motoring to a much wider audience.

Unlike a conventional convertible or sports car with a soft folding top, the 307 CC offers greater safety, better anti-theft vehicle security and improved weather protection.

"Peugeot has taken a costly concept and made it more affordable," said Rod Cunningham, Marketing Manager for Sime Darby Automobiles Ltd, the New Zealand distributor for Peugeot. "The 307 CC is based on one of the best selling Peugeot model internationally which helps give the car wide appeal.The new 307 CC epitomises the style and values of the Peugeot brand and is perfect for fun loving kiwi’s this summer."

Peugeot was a pioneer in making motor vehicles with an electric roof. In 1934 it became the first motor company in the world to launch a car with an electrical metal folding roof.

This was the 401 Eclipse model and now, seven decades later, Peugeot is a leader in the European medium size folding metal roof convertible market segment.

Lower seating provides a more sporting feel, and the car is a full four-seater with a high level of standard equipment.

The sedan-like boot offers an impressive capacity of 350 litres when the roof is in its raised position, this diminishes to 204 litres as the roof and long, curved rear windscreen retract into the boot.

To further improve occupant comfort, wind buffeting is kept to a minimum when the side windows are up.

For the New Zealand market, the 307 CC Dynamic has a 2-litre, double overhead camshaft engine producing 103kW of power, and driving through a four-stage automatic transmission. A five-speed manual transmission version is available to special order.

At 4,357mm, the 307 CC is just 146mm longer than the 307 five-door hatchback, and while it has the same wheelbase and width, it is 90mm lower at 1,440mm.

Because of extra strengthening and modifications, the coupe cabriolet's kerb weight of 1,573 kg is about 250 kg more than the 307 hatchback.

The new 307 CC fits into the leisure vehicle class in Europe that has expanded year on year since 1995. Recently the shift in this segment has been towards coupe cabriolet models.