The Peugeot 306 is a family sized car which comes in a range of sizes including

The 306 XT HDi, the latest Peugeot to benefit from the company's industry-leading, "common rail" diesel technology, has been unveiled at this year's Melbourne International Motor Show. On sale from April 1, 2000, the new Peugeot diesel sedan delivers sensational fuel economy, spirited performance, low noise levels and extremely low exhaust emissions.

The 306 XT HDi's (High-pressure Direct injection) arrival is timely, with tighter international oil supply likely to drive local unleaded fuel prices past $1.00 per litre this year.

1200 Km On A 60-Litre Tank

Able to cover more than 1200 open road kilometres on a single, 60-litre tank of diesel, the high-tech 306 features "Common Rail" engine technology, as found in the 406 ST HDi, which made its Australian debut last year.

Operating noise levels very close to those of an equivalent petrol model and superb

drivability, combined with the Peugeot 306's traditional blend of superior dynamics and exceptional ride adds a new dimension to diesel motoring with the XT HDi. According to James Cleary, Marketing & Communications Manager for Peugeot Concessionaires Australia, "Peugeot's HDi technology dispels the conventional wisdom which says the diesel customer is buying a compromise."

He adds, "On the road the HDi delivers strong pulling power at very low engine revs,

excellent throttle response, even greater reliability and stunning fuel economy."

"There's no pre-heating at start up, the car is amazingly smooth and quiet and its environmental credentials are outstanding."

The good news is the new technology is delivered at no extra cost, the 306 XT HDi

retaining its diesel predecessor's $29,900 price tag - the same price as the petrol-powered 306 XT.

And the 306 XT HDi's mechanical specification is upgraded, featuring larger ventilated front disc brakes and solid discs replacing drums on the rear of the previous model.

The XT HDi, available as a four door sedan only, retains the high standard equipment levels of its petrol-powered counterparts.

Included in the XT HDi's specification are: climate-control air-conditioning, driver and

passenger airbag, electric windows, CD stereo, remote central locking, auto rain-sensing windscreen wiper system, velour trim, passive electronic engine immobiliser, height and lumbar adjust on the driver's seat, electrically adjustable rear view mirrors, as well as front and rear fog lights.

The XT HDi sedan boasts a huge 463-litre boot (125 litres more than the 306 hatch with rear seats upright), a rear sun blind and three-point (lap-sash) seatbelts for all rear seat occupants.

And the Peugeot HDi family offers a range of options with 306 XT HDi under $30,000, and the 406 ST HDi, in sedan and seven-seat wagon versions, in the mid-$40,000 bracket.

Unrivalled in the diesel domain, Peugeot equipped more than eight million vehicles with its XUD engines over the last 20 years of the 20th Century.

A combination of high fuel feed pressure (1350 bar), very small fuel-injector holes (less than 200 Microns) and computer management of each system component adds up to extremely accurate and efficient engine operation.

The HDI Common Rail engine's combustion chamber has been developed using CAD three-dimensional simulation of the combustion/injection process as well as aerodynamic modelling.

The overall result is precise fuel injection and timing, more complete combustion, greater efficiency, reduced fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.

The HDI engine is also highly effective in terms of smoke emissions, releasing virtually no smoke over 95 percent of its operating range. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by close to 20 percent compared with the previous engine.