We have been in Paris at the International Press Launch of the all new Peugeot 3008. As with the outgoing model which has found its foothold within the C- SUV segment, the new 3008 promises to further improve the position of Peugeot within the Irish car market. Aiming to assert itself as a major player in the category, the new 3008 SUV brings to market the second generation Peugeot i-Cockpit. Boasting an inspired design, efficient engines and high-tech equipment, the new Peugeot 3008 SUV will be the star of the Peugeot stand at the next Paris Motor Show in September, ahead of its worldwide commercial launch in October. The new Peugeot 3008 will be arriving in Ireland late this year on time for 2017 registrations. Whilst Peugeot have enjoyed relatively good sales both in Ireland and further afield with the smaller 2008 SUV, the task at hand will be slightly more difficult as they attempt to expand their presence within the C-SUV segment which is now busier than ever with every brand attempting to maximise their market share. Since 2010 Peugeot have sold approximately 5,500 units of the existing 3008 in Ireland.
At first glance at the exterior, the new Peugeot 3008 appears more rugged and better suited to the SUV title than the outgoing model. This new 3008 is slightly longer (4.45m / +8cm), the height is reduced to 1.62m (from 1.63m) whilst it retains its 1.84m width. The SUV styling is more pronounced with |a vertical front end; a long flat bonnet; a high waist line; wide protective bands with bumper skirts, wheel arches trims and along the bottom of doors; large wheels; 22cm raised ground clearance; shaped roof bars.
With the new 3008 SUV however the Peugeot designers have aspired to create a powerful, bold SUV that is sure to catch the eye. A wide chrome-trimmed grille houses the lion-badge in its centre nestled between standard halogen headlamps which can be upgraded to full LED headlamps as an optional extra. An optional gloss black roof, which stretches to the rear spoiler, is a key styling feature. At the rear, beneath the inclined rear window, a gloss black band incorporates the opalescent LED tail lamps, featuring the three claw-marks that make the Peugeot visual signature so clearly identifiable.
The interior of the new 3008 is where the biggest of the changes with this new model have occurred. Peugeot have classed this as an almost futuristic interior which features the 2nd generation Peugeot i-Cockpit®, which will be introduced on new 3008 SUV as standard and it is easy to see why. The steering wheel is even more compact than before and has been redesigned with two flats to make it easier to grip, also affording the driver maximum visibility and legroom. A large 8″ touch-screen installed in the centre of the dashboard is accompanied by six elegant piano-key toggle switches giving direct access to the main control functions: radio, climate control, navigation, vehicle parameters, telephone and mobile applications. The head-up instrument panel has morphed into a high-resolution 12.3″ screen. It can be completely configured and personalised from five different display modes controlled from the steering wheel allowing the driver instant access to navigation, driver aids, engine parameters, etc. This interior appears refined and should be commended for the quality of finish which Peugeot have achieved for a vehicle within the C-SUV segment.
At the push of a button, as in the Peugeot 308, the Driver Sport Pack is enabled to offer a firmer and more responsive power steering and accelerator pedal mapping with enhanced engine and gearbox response. The engine sound is amplified with a sporty note via a digital amplifier which enhances the sound in the cabin and the colour display on the various screens changes to red.
Inside, a 2/3-1/3 split-folding rear seat produces a flat load-floor, whilst the unique split floor in the boot, offered in the first generation Peugeot 3008, is retained. The fold-flat passenger seat gives a load-space up to 3m long. The rear seat centre armrest is fitted with a ski-flap. A hands-free tailgate can be added, where with a simple movement of the foot beneath the rear bumper, the motorised tailgate can be opened or closed. The boot capacity is markedly improved over the previous generation (+90l). As well as a capacity of 520l – 1580l with rear seats folded, it also has one of the lowest loading heights in its class.
The new Peugeot 3008 has genuine off-road capability, thanks to its Advanced Grip Control. This enhanced traction system utilises a combination of equipment: optimised traction control with five grip levels (Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand, ESP OFF) controlled from a knob on the centre console; 18” Mud & Snow tyres; Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC), a new descent assist function giving perfect and completely safe control over the vehicle and its path on steep slopes.
When it comes to the various power-plants which are available Peugeot will offer petrol engines which they claim are best in class in their power range, in terms of consumption and CO2. The 1.2 PureTech petrol 130bhp S&S 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic engine posts from 115g CO2 / km, whilst the 1.6L THP 165bhp S&S 6-speed automatic emits only 129 g/km of CO2. For Diesels, BlueHDi technology keeps emissions for the range between 100 and 121 g/km of CO2 and the range comprises a 1.6 BlueHDi 100bhp S&S engine, 1.6 BlueHDi 120bhp 6-speed S&S manual or 6-speed S&S automatic, a 2.0 BlueHDi 150bhp S&S 6-speed manual and a 2.0 BlueHDi 180bhp S&S 6-speed automatic. While there will not be a four wheel drive derivative of the 3008, it will be available with the clever Peugeot Advanced Grip Control which I recently had the opportunity to test out on the new 2008. This system provides optimum grip on varying surfaces such as mud, snow and sand. Hill Asist Descent Control will also assist in some of the trickier conditions that drivers may encounter along the way.
For those you are sick of sitting in traffic the closer they get to the office in the morning the new Peugeot 3008 will offer its customers a new personal mobility solution: an electrically assisted folding scooter (e-Kick) by MICRO and an electrically assisted folding bicycle (e-Bike) by Peugeot. Dock stations hold the e-Kick or e-Bike in place in the boot of the 3008 SUV to recharge the batteries whilst the vehicle is running.
The new Peugeot 3008 will be presented to the public for the first time at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and will go on sale worldwide from October. Prices and equipment will be announced for the Irish market closer to launch, at the end of 2016. We look forward to having the opportunity to fully test the new Peugeot 3008 later on this year.
