Peugeot 607 Reviews

... and this is the spin-off crossover that will follow. It looks like a wagon but it picks up the naming game from the existing SUVs to ensure the 2008 is roomier and more versatile than a straight wagon.  

It confirmed yesterday that the 5008 seven-seater was one treat on the way from France as Peugeot expands its model range.Expected here around June, the 5008 van will seat up to seven people and be flexible enough to work part-time as a tradesman's vehicle. The van has been in Europe since 2009 but never previously been on Peugeot's wish list. It has the same platform and drivetrain as the Citroen C4 Picasso and the Peugeot 308 and 3008.Peugeot Australia boss Bill Gillespie says the timing suits the 5008's entry into Australia. “We're not replacing the 4007,” he says of the Japanese-built SUV that is a clone of the current Mitsubishi Outlander. “So to have a seven seater in our line-up we will take the 5008.”Mitsubishi - which has agreements with Peugeot-Citroen owners PSA on cars including the i-MiEV electric car and the 4007-Outlander – next month replaces the Outlander with a new model. PSA has decided not to take that model but continues to share the 4008-ASX SUV Compact twins.Peugeot also has a seven-seat 3008 model but the bigger 5008 is seen as suiting an extended family or as a vehicle for a combination of leisure and working duties. Mr Gillespie says that the 5008 doesn't mimic the styling of the current crop of SUVs. He says it's aimed at the seven-seat market - but he doesn't term it a people mover.“It will compete mainly with the Honda Odyssey and Hyundai iMax,” he says. “It's not in the Tarago or (Kia) Carnival size - it's more compact than these.” He says it's too early to talk of prices and specifications, though he's hoping for a mix of petrol and diesel. Peugeot sells the 5008 in Europe with an 115kW/240Nm 1.6-litre petrol and two diesels including the 120kW/40Nm 2-litre version also in the Citroen C4. 

Peugeot has based the 4008 on the Mitsibishi ASX platform, with the aim of becoming a strong contender in the growing Australian SUV market.However, sales haven’t been great for the small SUV, with only 59 sales for the month of July. If you compare this to the market leaders in this segment - the Nissan Dualis with 1,183 sales, Hyundai ix35 with 942 sales, and the Subaru XV with 768 sales - something about the 4008 isn’t clicking with Aussie car buyers.VALUEThe vehicle starts from $28,990 for the base model and climbs up by nearly $10,000 to $38,490 for the Allure. We drove the Allure that comes with luxury extras like electronically operated front seats, height adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, chrome inserts on the door sills, and black lacquer highlights.While it’s essentially a Mitsubishi under the skin, the ASX is priced nearly $2,000 lower for the top spec Aspire from $36,990. The differences are found in the features list, as the 4008 gets 18 inch alloy wheels, (ASX gets 17 inch), leather seats, power door mirrors and power steering. But the ASX gets 5 years 130,000km roadside assist compared to the 4008’s 3 years 100,000km.DESIGNIt’s a relatively simple design, which will probably be the preference for those not looking for an overly styled family car. The silhouette of the 4008 has a traditional SUV body shape - a curved back, and wide noise - with a large chrome grille flanked by two slanting chrome headlights. The abundance of leather on the steering wheel, shift knob and seats is impressive. There are also black piano lacquer highlights on the door trims and centre console and for a bit of privacy there’s dark tinted glass.The standard features are laid out clearly on the dashboard; 12V auxiliary sockets, Bluetooth connectivity and a six speaker stereo that can be controlled via the controls on the leather steering wheel. The tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel is easy to manoeuvre to your preferred position. However, for some the interior may lack personality, as the only novel touch is the “see you” text that appears on the dashboard when you switch the car off.For those with a young family the interior space should be fine but it’s not for families with long-limbed teenagers as the backseats barely seat two adults comfortably. The boot also isn’t very big with a load capacity of 384 litres, but they can be dropped to 1193 litres.SAFETYSafety features include seven airbags, ABS with electronic brake assist, emergency brakes assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, side impact absorbing door padding, force limiting seatbelts, three-point seatbelts on all seats and three rear seat child restraint anchorage points.TECHNOLOGYUnder the skin the 4008 has the same two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the Mitsubishi's ASX. It comes with a six-speed constantly variable transmission with 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque. And the official combined fuel economy is 8.1-litre but on our tests we averaged 9.4-litres.You have the choice of 2WD or on-demand 4WD and there’s also “lock” mode which is made for soft surfaces. So you’ll only need to switch to this mode if you go off road or find yourself bogged.DRIVINGWith the 4008 it was hard to get past the fact that it’s the ASX under the boot and it didn’t quite live up to Peugeot’s usual standards. It’s definitely not for the avid driver, as the cabin is far from quiet, with plenty of road and engine noise.The suspension was a bit stiff due to the 18inch alloy wheels, so when we drove over uneven surfaces the car shuddered heavily. The six speed auto transmission struggled to find the right gear on hills, which resulted in a sluggish climb. In fact, we had to switch over to manual mode to get a bit of zest out of the Allure.But putting these negatives aside, for around town the 4008 does the job, manoeuvring well through traffic, holding steady in start stop traffic and providing good all round vision, through the wide rear and side mirrors.Actually, probably the best thing about the drive was the vision, especially at night. This is due to some top spec features, such as the Xenon headlights with auto height adjustments, which really provided clarity of vision. There are also double optic halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights and front fog lights.Overall, while the drive wasn’t impressive, it has all the features you need from an SUV, as well as a price tag that’s easy on the eyes.VERDICTSo if you’re looking for an affordable SUV that is suitable for the city and can go off road then the 4008 is worth a look.

The Peugeot 208 launches here this month, but its long-awaited arrival risks being upstaged Pippa Middleton style by its hotter sibling, the GTi, making a global entrance just behind it.Peugeot has released official images and confirmed details of the 208 GTi in the lead-up to its unveiling at the Paris motor show at the end of September. Looking close to the 208 GTi concept Peugeot rolled out at Geneva motor show a few months ago, the production GTi had a gloss black mesh grille with chrome accents.The accents are echoed at the rear with a black skirt and chrome trapezoid twin tips from a reworked exhaust system that Peugeot says will give an “appealing sound”. A chrome window sill strip and GTI logo tab on each C-pillar salutes the 205 GTi that started Peugeot’s hot hatch reputation – and which the French carmaker promises will be regenerated with the latest iteration.The cabin of the red example in the photos sports a matching theme with red saddle-stitching setting off the black leather and cloth upholstery, flat-bottomed steering wheel, gloss red door grabs and dash accents and red-lit instruments. Emphasising its performance intentions, it features sports seats, drilled aluminium pedals and aluminium gear knob.The production GTi sits on a wider track than the standard 208 – 10mm more at the front and 20mm more at the rear – with 17-in alloys wheels in the flared wheel arches sporting 302mm front and 249mm rear discs cooled by dynamic air intakes. The MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear suspension has also been tuned and gets tweaked steering and revised suspension with recalibrated shock absorbers, stiffer springs and upgraded cross members.As Carsguide reported in April, the Peugeot 208 GTi will be powered by the 147kW/275Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Peugeot RCZ sports coupe (and the PSA cousin Citroen DS3) mated to a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission driving the front wheels. With just 1160kg to flick around, Peugeot says the 208 GTi will hit 100km/h in less than 7.0 seconds, but has not yet confirmed a top speed. Peugeot hasn’t released a fuel economy figure either, but the official CO2 of 145g/km signals somewhere around 6L/100km, and you can guess that’s premium petrol.The Volkswagen Polo GTi is the first rival people will picture against the Peugeot, but it will also face off against the RenaultSport Clio RS200 and Ford Fiesta ST – all three of which it trumps on power and torque. As far as handling goes – and on Australian roads -- we’ll probably have to wait about 12 months until it gets here to find out. 

The 4008 is French carmaker, Peugeot’s, first entry into the booming compact SUV market.It is part of a joint venture between Peugeot and Mitsubishi and comes off the same Japanese factory as the Mitsubishi ASX. The ASX was launched here in July 2010 nearly two years ahead of the Peugeot.VALUEWith a price range of $28,990 to $38,490 the Peugeot 4008 offers excellent value for a European SUV, or more correctly a European-styled SUV. The value is increased when Peugeot’s new Assured Service Plan is factored in.The plan places a $330 capped price on all services during the first three years of its life and applies to all buyers, be they private, business, fleet and or government. It also transfers if the car is sold within that three-year period. Equipment levels are high and it offers excellent value for money. The Active gets 16-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera with rear vision mirror display, cruise control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, reversing camera with a rear-vision mirror display, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth telephone and audio, USB and auxiliary sockets, climate-control air conditioning, coloured multifunction monitor and a full-sized spare wheel/tyre.The higher-specced Allure adds xenon headlights, leather trim interior, 18-inch alloys, powered and heated front seats.TECHNOLOGYPeugeot 4008 comes in the Active (with 2WD and AWD, manual and CVT) and Allure (AWD and CVT only). Unusually, for a company that for many years bucked the petrol-only trend in Australia by selling diesel-powered passenger cars, the 4008 is only offered with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with power and torque peak at 110 km and 197 Nm (at 4200 rpm).Diesel engines are available for the 4008 however, in line with the European preference, only with manual transmission, a combination that Peugeot Australia believes would not attract sufficient sales in our auto-centric market to justify them being imported. By contrast, Mitsubishi, with no history of diesel passenger cars, has included a 1.8-litre manual-only diesel in the ASX range.DESIGNAlthough the two vehicles are almost identical under the skin the Peugeot 4008 and Mitsubishi ASX have their own distinctive styling. Except for the roof and doors, all external panels are different. Styling is a very personal thing but we’ve long been fans of the current Peugeot design theme especially the wide-mouthed grille that stands out as the 4008’s dominant feature.Inside is a soft texture fascia and lacquered piano-black centre console which adds a gentle ambience. The controls are large and well-placed with an instrument panel that’s back-lit day and night, unlike some others that, annoyingly, turn off when the car enters a tunnel.Interior space is about par for the course with reasonable rear headroom despite the dipping roofline. The rear seat is only really suitable for two adults or three pre-teen children with borderline rear legroom when the front seat is well back.Boot capacity is 416 litres with a relatively high loading lip partly the result of having a full-sized spare wheel under the floor. The rear seats fold to a storage space of 1193 litres, with the alternative of a ski hatch behind the folding armrest.SAFETYSafety features include seven airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program and front foglights.DRIVINGWe’ve just completed back-to-back tests on an automatic AWD Allure and a manual AWD Active on a mixture of suburban, motorway, rural (including gravel) roads. Although it’s among the lighter models in its class (between 1375 kg and 1470 kg) its performance, although capable enough in everyday conditions is certainly not exciting. The manual gearbox is a five-speed unit which revs a bit too high when cruising and could do with an extra gear. Otherwise it’s light and easy to use.The all-wheel drive system in the 4008 has three settings: 2WD for urban conditions and lower fuel consumption, 4WD with electronically controlled torque distribution between the front and rear axles, and 4WD Lock for conditions that require maximum grip.Around town the 4008 is an excellent commuter with the higher driving position that appeals to female drivers and also adds to safety. The car cruised smoothly and quietly on the freeway, offset only by the annoying CVT noise when under hard acceleration or the excess revs at motorway speeds.The suspension compromise tends more towards the firm than the soft which will attract the driving enthusiast but it’s not so harsh as to deter the average commuter. On our initial test when Peugeot launched the 4008 they did send us along on some relatively harsh roads where a number of potholes sent some body-rattling shudders through the car.The positive side to the firm suspension is that it provides safe and precise handling and steering. It’s more at home in an urban rather than a rural environment where the combination of relatively heavy weight and small engine means that it can struggle in hilly areas.VERDICTOverall the Peugeot 4008 is a neat, well-built and well-engineered compact SUV that combines the best from its two source continents.

Two decades ago Peugeot started to lose the plot. Its armchair-soft ride and sense of toughness - both in feel and in its chunky styling - drifted into mainstream and suddenly the French car was easy prey for the Asian car makers.Thanks to its 508, I think it's back to the old days. There is a return to that elegance yet strength of design, the comfortable chairs and a cockpit that appears simple yet is quietly comprehensive.This is Peugeot for the masses, unlike some previous models that appealed only to Europhiles. The 508's contemporary styling, sensible cabin and dash and a sweet drivetrain make it a very attractive buy for a broad range of motorists.VALUEVery good. The Allure HDi (turbo-diesel) isn't the top-line version yet has an excellent equipment list including leather, four-zone airconditioning, Bluetooth with audio streaming, keyless start and entry, front and rear park sensors, cruise control with brake function, panoramic glass roof and a “parking assistant” that calculates if the car will fit a chosen parking bay.Clearly, eyeballs are now redundant. It matches the endearing Volkswagen Passat wagon in price (but beats it on features) and is more expensive than the pragmatic Skoda and spacious Mondeo. These big-hitting rivals make it a close call. Peugeot's capped service plan (Ford also has one for six years but Volkswagen has none) helps it here.DESIGNYou'll miss this on the road and probably never find it again in a shopping centre carpark because it has few distinguishing features. Bland is a word that springs to mind yet it still has appeal for its clean lines and simplicity.The wagon shape is less boxy than most yet is remarkably spacious. But it's the cabin that gets more attention. It boasts a subtle blend of quality materials, upmarket design and comprehensive features.But personal storage space, especially in the tiny centre console, is poor. Clever ideas are the puddle lamps that shine at night beneath the mirrors, soft orange cabin lighting and backlit controls on the steering wheel. There's some discreet chrome edging trim to piano black highlights and quality carpets for the cabin and boot floor. The rear windows get sunshades to protect occupants, which is great for children.TECHNOLOGYThere's a lot of clever stuff hidden beneath that simple, aerodynamic exterior. The bonnet is aluminium, the 508 is 85 per cent recyclable and materials from sustainable sources make up 14 per cent of the car's 230kg of green polymers. These green materials are used in 30 car parts.The 120kW/340Nm turbo-diesel has a particulate filter (called FAP which reduces hydrocarbons) mated to a six-speed auto with paddle shifters. The 508 Allure gets MacPherson front suspension yet, oddly, the more expensive 508 GT has double wishbones.SAFETYThere are six airbags, a five-star crash rating, high pedestrian safety, automatic headlights and wipers and even a full-size spare on an alloy wheel. The Allure also gets cruise control with sensors to brake the car automatically.DRIVINGEverything points to a great drive but though the 508 wagon is very capable, there are a lot of soft corners. The engine is strong and well mated to the six-speed auto. This box tickles the engine's capabilities best by using the paddle shifters and the only downer is the typical turbo-lag at low revs and a gearshift pattern that changes up too quickly.It is a quiet, long-distance machine well suited to highways but isn't a sharp handler when pushed. The electric-assist steering is too vague to relay much information to the driver and though the car grips well through the bends, becomes a bit uncomfortable as the compliant suspension leads to bodyroll. Peugeot's switchgear has come a long way in the past few decades and now equates to the Asians in terms of ease of use and simplicity. The driver's seat could do with more padding or support.VERDICTPut this on your shopping list.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe have been so slow, Mitsubishi has temporarily halted production of two electric cars based on its i-MiEV. After sales of less than 1000 each, Mitsubishi has now temporarily stopped producing the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn which are rebadged versions of its i-MiEV. The slow global take-up of EVs has been mirrored in Australia with only 18 sold privately so far this year and 45 sold to government and business. In Australia, Mitsubishi has sold only 12 i-MiEVs this year and none last month. The disappointing global sales have also hit the Nissan Leaf -- which sold 51 here this year -- and the Chevrolet Volt which goes on sales next month with a Holden badge. However, the Australian market is also due for more EVs this year from Audi, Renault and Tesla. While many blame the slow take-up of EVs on high prices - Mitsubishi iMiEV ($48,800), Nissan Leaf ($51,500) and Holden Volt ($59,990) - Australian industry figures point to a lack of government subsidies. Audi Australia product planning manager John Roberts said electric vehicles would not gain a foothold in the market without government incentives. "The manufacturers are more likely to drive volume with pricing and product than by government policy," he said. Fuel economy campaigner and former Australian Rally champion Ed Ordynski said the issue of subsidies for electric vehicles was "way too bogged down in politics". "I don't think we'll see changes until there is a shake-out of local manufacturers," he said, pointing out that local manufacturers had no plans to produce electric vehicles, although several Australian companies are converting conventional cars such as the Holden Commodore to electric power. "I don't think the government will offer incentives to produce locally so subsidies for electric vehicles would only be for full imports and that isn't going to happen." BMW Group Australia boss Phil Horton said government incentives would be a "relatively easy thing to do" and not necessarily expensive. He suggested incentives such as cheap or free tolls, use of transit lanes, designated or cheaper parking spaces and discounts on licensing, registration and stamp duties. "At the moment, instead of any incentives there is the disincentive of the luxury car tax," he said. "Unless they take some steps to encourage electric vehicles, people won't buy them. "Emissions and economy don't appear to be high on the list of the great majority of Australians and experience in other countries shows the only way to change that behaviour is with a carrot-and-stick approach. "It's my belief that Australia is the only market in the world that has electric vehicles available but no government subsidies," he said. BMW is about to release its ActiveHybrid 5 Series, followed by a 3 Series model later this year, a 7 Series early next year, with a full electric car, the i3, in 2014, a plug-in hybrid i8 after that and possibly a range of electric scooters. "But there doesn't seem any willingness or interest from the government to do anything to encourage their take-up," he said. A Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries spokesman says they have been discussing with the Government ways to increase consumer take-up of new fuel efficient technologies, including electric cars, within the context of reducing CO2 emissions. "We think it unlikely that Australia is the only country without incentives for EVs," the spokesman said.  

Renault Koleos Dynamique and Peugeot 4008 Allure go head-to-head in this comparative review.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?This is Peugeot's penultimate new 4008 all wheel drive small SUV - a Pug version of the Mitsubishi ASX with better styling and different spec'.How much?Retails for $30,990What are competitors?Numerous; ASX, Nissan Dualis, Hyundai iX35, Skoda Yeti, Ssangyong Korando, Sooby XV, VW Tiguan perhaps.What's under the bonnet?Power comes from a 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder lifted from the Mitsubishi Lancer small car- and ASX. It's good for 110kW/197Nm output and features variable valve timing but not direct fuel injection.The manual is a five-speeder while the CVT auto has six 'steps.'How does it go?Acceptable performance is available from the manual but it needs another cog to make highway cruising easier and also give better fuel economy and acceleration through the gears.Is it economical?We got into the low 8.0s without really trying so the claim of 7.9 litres/100km seems right.Is it green?Greenish with a Euro 4 rating - needs to get better in a hurry to keep up with other makes.Is it safe?Five stars.Is it comfortable?Very. The suspension is softish, the seats are a good shape, there's adequate sound deadening and it runs smoothly and quietly. The Active scores plenty of kit despite playing second fiddle to the high spec' Allure.What's it like to drive?A good all round hack for commuting, general driving, even venturing off road (dirt roads, sand and snow) thanks to the selectable all wheel drive system with lock-up.Is it value for money?Pretty good compared with similar sized and styled cars from other European makers - thousands less actually. But it needs a diesel and a proper auto.Would we buy one?Possibly. Like the styling, the size, the features and the price is competitive but the petrol engine struggles a bit and when you work it, uses much more fuel. Perhaps a 1.6 turbo petrol is the answer.