Paris show: Peugeot unveils top-spec 3008 GT

PEUGEOT has revealed its flagship 133kW/400Nm 3008 GT warmed-up SUV and sporty-looking 3008 GT-Line variants ahead of their public debut at September’s Paris motor show.

Although both variants are yet to be confirmed as part of the next-generation 3008 line-up due in Australia in the first half of 2017, both borrow styling cues from Peugeot’s 308 GTi 270 hot hatch and its smaller 208 GTi 30th Anniversary sibling.

Peugeot Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz said the 3008 GT would be do well in the performance-hungry Australian market.

“The 3008 continues Peugeot’s product-led reinvention, underpinned by an overall desire to design, develop and engineer vehicles that are efficient, enjoyable to drive and great to look at,” he said.

“While we are still negotiating the final model and drivetrain line-up we believe the 3008 GT and GT-Line suit the Australian market and customer tastes, and we are hopeful of securing the model as part of the all-new model range for 2017.”

The 3008 GT can be optioned with the same Coupe-franche paint scheme, featuring a Perla Nera black rear end paired with either a Platinum Grey, Amazonite Grey or Metallic Copper duco.

GT versions also get a Black Diamond roof, accentuated by stainless steel roof rails and stainless steel highlights along the shoulder and roofline, along with a prominent roof-mounted rear spoiler.

To further differentiate the flagship 3008, Peugeot has installed a new front grille, highlighted by “sanded chrome” strips, a slightly tweaked front bumper, chrome exhaust tips and side mirrors, and GT badging on the rear tailgate.

Widened wheel arches house two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 235/50 tyres, which compliment a uniquely-tuned suspension designed to “leverage greater grip and handling,” according to Peugeot.

LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights (DRLs) adorn the GT, as well as LED puddle lights which project Peugeot’s Lion Rampant logo on the ground.

Inside, Peugeot has employed copper-coloured stitching on the dashboard trim, door panels, central armrest and steering wheel, while this design flourish can also be found on the standard Alcantara sports seats or optional Nappa Mistral leather chairs.

3008 GTs also gain “touches of satin steel chrome in the driver’s compartment, stainless steel pedal unit, footrest and front door sills, floor mats with copper stitching, black roof trim and window uprights,” according to Peugeot.

As an option, buyers can opt for a modern home-inspired Grey Oak dashboard and door panels.

Powering the Peugeot’s sportiest SUV will be a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit, producing 133kW of power and 400Nm of torque, which will be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and feature idle-stop technology.

Sitting just below the top-spec GT will be the new GT-Line variant, a sportier looking 3008 equipped with the GT’s front grille, Black Diamond roof, chrome exhaust tips and stainless steel accents, along with 18-inch alloy wheels and Perla Nera black door mirrors.

GT-Line occupants are treated to copper stitch highlights throughout.

All new 3008s will come standard with Peugeot’s new 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster called i-Cockpit.

Currently, the 3008 range is available in one variant, Active, with a choice of either a 1.6-litre petrol for $35,490 before on-roads or a 2.0-litre diesel engine which carries a $38,990 sticker price.

Pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed for the next-generation 3008 range, but overseas markets will have access to Active and Allure variants, as well as the GT and GT-Line.

Although Peugeot’s sporting aspirations are on show with the 3008 GT, its power output places it in line with standard diesel-powered small-size SUV variants including Audi’s 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre TDI Q3, BMW’s 140kW/400Nm xDrive20d X1 and the DS4 – which shares the same powertrain.

Sales of Peugeot’s ageing 3008 have stagnated this year, with the French car-maker selling only five small-size SUVs in May. 2016 sales have totalled just 51 units, a 1.9 per cent decrease over the same five-month period last year.