The Peugeot 306 Cabriolet made its public debut at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, presenting a body penned by Pininfarina that set it apart from every hatchback and saloon in the 306 range. Norev has reproduced this Phase 1 launch-year specification as a 1:18 die-cast model in red — the same catalogue colour offered to buyers when the car first reached showrooms. It is a concise record of an era when mainstream European cabrios still wore coachbuilt-style proportions from Turin.
A Compact Cabriolet with a Turin Signature
Built on the N-series (7D) platform shared across the 306 range, the Cabriolet was distinguished above all by its Pininfarina-designed body — a collaboration that gave the car cleaner flanks and a more resolved roofline than most of its front-wheel-drive rivals. The power-operated soft-top folded away neatly, and the structure carried the same underpinnings as the coupé. Phase 1 production ran from 1994 to 1997, when the facelift arrived to update the exterior and interior.
Geneva 1994: Pininfarina in the Mainstream
When the 306 Cabriolet reached the market in 1994, it entered a defined segment. Red was a standard catalogue colour for the 306 range that year, consistent with Peugeot's period palette. The Cabriolet was positioned as the premium open-top variant within the 306 family, making it a relative rarity that mirrors its current standing among collectors of 1990s French road cars.
Norev's 1:18 Die-Cast Interpretation
Norev — a French manufacturer with a long-standing focus on French marques — produced this model in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale. The 1:18 Peugeot range sits at the core of Norev's collector catalogue, and replicating the 306 Cabriolet in its 1994 Phase 1 form makes it a logical centrepiece for any serious French-car collection. The choice of red aligns directly with the factory colour options available to original buyers in the launch year.
In the Display Cabinet
For anyone building a thematic grouping around 1990s French road cars or Pininfarina's work outside Italy, the 306 Cabriolet in Phase 1 red provides a well-documented, die-cast reference point that stands out on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Peugeot 306 Cabriolet first appear?
It debuted at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. Phase 1 production ran from 1994 to 1997, when a facelift introduced the Phase 2 version.
Who designed the 306 Cabriolet body?
Pininfarina. The Italian studio styled the cabriolet body, differentiating it from the standard 306 hatchback and saloon siblings.
What material is the Norev model made from?
Die-cast metal, at 1:18 scale. Norev is a French manufacturer with a dedicated 1:18 Peugeot collector range.
Was red a factory colour for the 1994 306 Cabriolet?
Yes. Red was a standard catalogue colour across the 306 range in 1994, in line with Peugeot's period colour palette.
