Peugeot 306

Peugeot designed the 306 as a C-segment or small family car, following the footsteps of its predecessor, Peugeot 309. It went into production from 1993 through 2002, rolling off 2.846 million units from the French automaker’s assembly plants in France, Great Britain, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.

It came in four body styles, including 3-or-5-door hatchbacks, 4-door saloons, 5-door estates, and 2-door cabriolets or convertibles.

Phase 1 (1993-1997)

In March 1993, Peugeot rolled out Phase 1, which included the hatchback, saloon, and cabriolet styles. A whole array of options in terms of design and performance was available. In Australia, the body styles included the following:
•2-door, 4-seat convertible
•3-or-5-door, 5-seat hatchback
•4-door, 5-seat sedan

The powertrain choices included one turbocharged diesel and two petrol engines with the following specs:
•1.8L petrol, 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual transmission – 77-78 kW, 160 Nm
•2.0L petrol, 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual transmission – 100 kW, 187 Nm
•2.0L petrol, 6-speed manual transmission (available for the GTi6 3-door hatch) – 124 kW, 196 Nm
•1.9L turbocharged diesel, 5-sp manual (available for the XTdt 5-door hatch) – 69 kW, 205 Nm  

The 306 was available in other markets in various powertrain options including 8V petrol (1.1L 44 kW, 1.4L 55 kW, 1.6L 66 kW, 1.8L 76 kW, and 2.0L 90 kW), 8V naturally-aspirated diesel (1.9L 52 kW and 1.9L 66 kW), 8V turbo-diesel (1.9L 68 kW), and 16V petrol engines (2.0L 115 kW and 123 kW).

Phase 2 (1997-1999)

The second phase of the 306 witnessed minimal improvements, maintaining the two petrol engine variants that were upgraded from 8V to 16V. There was no significant exterior upgrade to redefine its style.

Phase 3 (2000-2002)

The third phase came out in 1999 in the same body styles initially offered. The powertrain choices remained the same except for a 2.0L common-rail HDi paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox (67 kW, 211 Nm) replacing the previous 1.9L turbocharged variant. In Australia, this engine was only available for the XT HDi sedan model.  

Australia welcomed the 306 Rallye in 2001, which was inspired by the N5 XT variant. It had an engine capable of producing 99 kW of power but used a suspension that was not as sporty as the other XT versions. This one came with an automatic transmission as well.
PSA ceased producing 306 hatchbacks in 2001, cabriolet and estate in 2002, and saloon in 1999. The hatchback model was succeeded by the Peugeot 307.

History: Predecessors of the 306

Peugeot 306 traces its history back to the early 20th century when PSA released the Type 57, a vehicle capable of carrying two people with a 652 cc engine (4 kW).

From the early models, Peugeot moved to the 201 in 1929, and after a few subsequent models in the 200 range, it launched the Peugeot 304 in 1969. Model 305 followed in 1977 and remained in production until 1989, while the Peugeot 309 (also a predecessor to the 306) also joined the market in 1985 remaining there until 1994. Towards the conclusion of the 309, the 306 entered production in 1993.  

Peugeot 304 (1969-1980)

Peugeot 304 debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1969, targeting the market for mid-sized passenger vehicles. PSA produced around 1.18 million units of the 304 till 1980.

The 304 came in five distinct variations, including a 4-door saloon, a 5-door estate, a 2-door cabriolet, a 3-door hatch coupe, and a 3-door fourgonnette. These vehicles came with engine displacements between 1288 cc to 1290 cc for the petrol variants, and 1357 cc to 1548 cc range for the diesel variants.

A defining characteristic of the Peugeot 304 was its modernistic and advanced appeal. The car came with a fully independent suspension, and a gearbox placed under the engine providing 4-speed options that were also capable of sharing the engine's oil.

The 304's spacious and luxurious interior was inspired by the 204 and the 504. There were no significant changes to the design of the 304 for over ten years.

Peugeot 305 (1977-1989)

The Peugeot 305 succeeded the 304, sharing the style of its immediate predecessor as well as those embodied by the earlier released 204. It came in 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, and 3-door panel van variants. It entered production towards the end of 1977, introducing the 4-door model first with a choice between two petrol engines having either a displacement capacity of 1290 cc (48 kW) and 1472 cc (54 kW).

After four months, the company also released a diesel variant of the 305 called GRD, which had a 1548 cc engine capable of producing 37 kW. This engine was made of aluminium and had an injector pump from Bosch. In 1980, a sports variant called the 305 S with a maximum power output of 65 kW rolled out of production. In 1982, this became the GTX with an even advanced engine capable of producing 77 kW.

The 305 became a special car for Peugeot as it led to an entirely new series called the 05, with subsequent cars called 405, 505, & 605. The series ceased production in 1999. After the 305, the 300 series was carried forward to the 309.  

Peugeot 309 (1985-1994)

The 309 was originally slated for launch under another PSA brand called Talbot, but since Talbot was shut down in 1985, PSA decided to call the new vehicle the Peugeot 309. The 309 took inspiration from the Peugeot 205 for its design, including its door shells and floorpan. Production began in 1985 and started selling in 1986.

Peugeot offered the 309 in many trim levels. The XE (3-doors) and GE (5-doors) versions came with engine displacements of 1118 cc and 1294 cc. An XL version came packed with more advanced features. A five-door GLX version also came with three engine choices, including 1294 cc, 1360 cc, and 1580 cc. The 309 underwent a facelift in 1989, and new variants entered the market, including an XU5 petrol engine with 85 kW and GRi diesel engine with 66 kW.

New SR, SRD, and SR Injection models also entered the market as top variants for the 309. The SR model used a 59 kW engine, the Injection used an 85 kW engine, and the SRD had a 48 kW engine. The rest of the equipment installed within these variants was the standard used in other 309 versions as well. Additional sports versions also entered the market later on, including the three-door XS and five-door SX, both boasting 86 kW of power.

Perhaps the most powerful 309 to have entered the market was the GTI version, launched in both three- and five-door variants, initially equipped with a 96kW engine but later downrated to 90 kW for regulatory reasons.