Peugeot 3008 News

The company has only one off-roader in its lineup, the 4007, but has now added another option for buyers "wanting a more sophisticated alternative''.  The chunky 3008 looks like an off-roader but is in fact front wheel drive that is more a crossover than outback warrior.  It is available in two trim levels, the XSE and XTE with both petrol and turbo-diesel engines. The car's party trick is a clever system called "grip control'', which consists of an advanced traction control sytem coupled with special mud and snow tyres.  The system is $300 on the XSE but free of charge on the XTE. It is designed to optimise the traction of both front wheels to cope with some modest slippery driving conditions.  The driver controls the system by means of a knob with five settings - standard, snow, off-road (mud/dirt/wet grass), sand and ESP off. In size the 3008 fits in between the 308 hatch and wagon.  However, the wider and higher body gives the 3008 more cabin room for passengers. The car sits on a wheelbase of 2613mm, 95mm shorter than the 308 wagon.  The wagon also still has more luggage room - 674 litres versus 514 litres with the rear seats up and 2149 litres with the rear seats removed versus 1604 litres with the 3008's rear seats folded.  Apart from "grip control' the car's other nifty idea is a luggage area that can be compartmentalised because the floor has three-way height adjustment. Both the XSE and XTE buyers have a choice of Euro 5 compliant 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6 or 2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel engines.  The 1.6-litre engines will be familiar with Mini enthusiasts. In the 3008, the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol develops 115kW/240Nm and delivers 7.8 litres/100km and gets a six-speed automatic. The 1.6-litre HDi develops 80kW/240Nm and is available with both six-speed manual and six-speed semi-automatic gearboxes. It has a combined fuel economy figure of 5.1 litres/100km.  The 2.0-litre diesel is a development of the previous 2.0-litre engine but power and torque have risen.  It now develops 120kW/340Nm and comes with a sequential six-speed automatic. The 2.0 HDi has a combined fuel figure is 6.7 litres/100km. Apart from the petrol and diesels, Peugeot also has plans for a hybrid version to be launched in Europe in 2011.  Like the 308 hatch and wagon, the 3008 has a full complement of safety gear. It gets a strong body that contributes to a five-star crash safety rating, six airbags, dynamic roll control and electronic stability control.  Prices open at $35,990 for the 1.6 XSE petrol, rising to $42,990 for the 2.0 HDi XTE. Equipment levels are comparable to the 308, but the larger interior packaging will appeal to families.  Like the Mitsubishi Outlander, the 3008 has a split rear tailgate.  Stay tuned for Carsguide's driving impressions in coming days. Peugeot 3008 XSE 1.6 turbo automatic $35,990XSE 1.6 HDi EGC $36,490XSE 2.0 HDi automatic $39,490XTE 1.6 turbo automatic $39,490XTE 1.6 HDi EGC $39,990XTE 2.0 HDi automatic $42,990

The RCZ is already being touted as Peugeot's TT and the 3008 finally gives it a well-priced compact SUV.

It's the diesel hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain underneath, which will be available globally from 2011, including Australia.Peugeot Automobiles Australia spokesman, Mathew McAuley says the diesel hybrid is on the company's wishlist."It would have pretty strong appeal I think," he says."Peugeot is keen to be first to market with the diesel hybrid."The 3008 hybrid will have a conventional HDI engine up front driving the front wheels with an electric motor under the rear luggage floor next to the rear suspension to drive the rear wheels.The production hybrid will be heavily based on the 2.0-litre HDI Prologue concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show last year.That car delivers a combined fuel figure of 4.1 litres/100km and C02 emissions of just 109g/km.In Europe, the conventional petrol and HDI versions of the newest Pug wagon go on sale within months.It will line up with the Mitsubishi Outlander-based 4007.McAuley says both the 3008 and 4007 should have strong appeal locally."We are still on the product plan for the 4007 but it's timing is unknown," he says."And the 3008 goes on sale in the UK (a right-hand drive market) at the end of 2009."Both cars could arrive in local showrooms early next year.Based on the 308 hatch, the 3008 adds a high-riding SUV-style body and a host of technology Peugeot hopes will put it at the forefront of the competitive compact off-roader segment.It uses several new technologies, including dynamic roll control and grip control.There is also a heads-up display, distance alert, automatic parking brake, hill assist and a raft of telematic systems for navigation and on-board entertainment.Roll control is a passive hydraulic system built into the rear suspension cross-member that connects the two rear shock absorbers.It acts like a third shock absorber to flatten body roll in corners and eliminate pitching.Grip control is an advance traction control system with special 16-inch mud and snow tyres.It has five settings standard, snow, off-road, sand and ESP off controlled by a rotary knob on the centre console.Visually the car borrows 308 cues, such as the forward-positioned windscreen.Like the Outlander/4007, the 3008 has a split tailgate and raised driving position.Inside, there is a `multi-flex’ interior with a three-position floor and folding rear seats.With the rear and front passenger's seat folded, the 3008 has a flat floor from the tailgate to the dashboard.Luggage space is 512 litres with the rear seats and 1604 with the rear seats folded.The 3008 borrows its underpinnings from the 308, including front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension, as well as a normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol, turbo 1.6-petrol and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre HDi engines.