Peugeot’s new 3008 hybrid crossover

Peugeot’s 3008 crossover will be the company’s first hybrid vehicle and it will be on sale in the UK at the end of 2009.

The 3008 was first seen as a concept – Prologue Hybrid 4 – at last year’s Paris Motorshow, and Peugeot claims this is a new segment of vehicle – a hybrid MPV with 4WD.

The vehicle features Hybrid 4 Technology which is the hybridisation of a traditional engine with an electric motor, in an original layout in engineering terms that also allows the possibility of four wheel drive.

While the traditional engine is located as usual under the bonnet and drives the front wheels, the electric motor is located under the load area floor adjacent to the rear suspension. This technology not only represents a real breakthrough in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (a reduction of around 35%), but also in terms of four wheel drive.

At the Paris Motor Show, the Prologue Hybrid 4 concept car was presented with a 2.0 litre HDi FAP engine with a power of 163 bhp and an electric motor with a maximum capacity of 37 bhp providing a maximum torque of 300 Nm at the front and 200 Nm at the rear. Despite this performance, its fuel consumption in the combined cycle is only 4.1 litres / 100 km, with CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km.

Another important benefit is that there are no mechanical connections between the front diesel engine and the rear electric motor, everything is controlled electronically “by-wire”. This avoids any architectural constraints affecting the interior space and style of the passenger compartment.

To reduce emissions and, therefore fuel consumption and running costs, the weight of the vehicle was kept to a minimum. To help reduce the vehicle’s weight, laser welding was used instead of normal spot welding, the front overhang was kept to a minimum by the introduction of an innovative new type of impact absorber, a number of lightweight materials were used and the thickness of the panoramic glass roof has also reduced to just 5 mm, while still retaining the same levels of safety as current roofs fitted to the 308 SW etc.

The “Outdoor” abilities of the 3008 are enhanced using an innovative traction control system, Grip Control. The system consists of an upgraded traction control system with five operation modes and special mud and snow tyres. The driver is able to optimise the traction of both front wheels, enabling the vehicle to have a genuine ability to overcome difficult situations where the wheels have little grip.

Six powertrain options will be available

• 2.0 litre HDi FAP: 150 bhp – six-speed manual gearbox
• 2.0 litre HDi FAP: 163 bhp – six-speed automatic gearbox
• 1.6 litre HDi FAP: 110 bhp – six-speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre HDi FAP: 110 bhp – six-speed electronically controlled manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre THP: 150 bhp – six-speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre VTi : 120 bhp – five-speed manual gearbox

The 3008 range will go on sale in the UK at the end of 2009 and more information concerning specification and prices will be announced nearer the launch date.

– – –

Read Green Car Guide’s review of the Peugeot 3008 Crossover with HYbrid4 technology – the first diesel ‘Full Hybrid’ production car in the world.