First Drive: Six-speed adds lustre to 307 HDi

TO answer VW’s success with its Golf 1.9 and 2.0-litre TDI six-speed DSG, Peugeot has added a six-speed tiptronic-style auto to its 307 HDi lineup.

The 307 XSE HDi hatch and Touring went on sale last week, priced at $34,790 for the hatch and $36,490 for the Touring.

The 307 HDi supplements the 407 HDi sedan, Touring and coupe, and from early next year the 207 HDi.

In automatic form, it shares the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines as its five-speed manual counterparts, developing 100kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm from 2000rpm.

Previously the 307 HDi was only offered with a manual gearbox and Peugeot Automobile Australia is expecting a strong takeup of the six-speed tiptronic auto.

The 307 HDi runs the same specifications and equipment levels as the XSE petrol model but gains ESP and traction control as standard.

These two proven safety devices that are expected to roll out in the petrol-engined 307s soon.

The AM6 automatic transmission was developed by Aisin AW to Peugeot’s own specifications.

The gearbox uses the combinations of two epicycloid trains, one single and the other double, controlled by just five friction elements (clutches or brakes).

This allows for a compact size and reduced weight in comparison with automatic four-speed transmissions.

The automatic’s ratios are also optimised for the HDi engine.



Peugeot claims they ensure better use of the engine with small speed drops on each shift, which supports the silky quality of gear changes.

First provides a lively pull-away from rest while the long-legged sixth gear is an overdrive to help lower fuel consumption and reduce sound levels at highway speeds.

Like its rivals, the 307 HDi offers two driving mode: one automatic, auto-adaptive for relaxing driving that "reads" the driver's driving style, and the other a sequential shift function for press-on motoring.

For greater safety the transmission has a shift-lock function which, while the engine is running, prevents shifting out of park unless the brake pedal is pressed at the same time.

Also a buzzer is activated when the driver opens his door with the engine off, without having returned the selector lever to park.

The 307 HDi auto has a combined fuel economy figure of 6.7L/100km, meaning the car will do more than 1000km between refills.

Inside the HDi cabin is spacious and well equipped and equipment levels are the same as the XSE petrol.

Equipment includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, 16-inch alloys, full-size spare, cruise control, height and reach adjustable steering, climate control air conditioning, six-speaker CD stereo, trip computer, and front and rear foglights.