Peugeot debuts 3008 Down Under

PEUGEOT will preview its second compact crossover model in Australia this week, just seven months after launching its first SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander-based 4007 that hit this market last October.

The new 308 Touring-based compact 3008 SUV, which officially goes on sale in May, makes its first public appearance at this week’s Handa Women’s Australian Open golf championship at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Golf Club, to be held over March 11-14.

Released to widespread acclaim late last year in Europe, where it was awarded a maximum five-star NCAP safety rating, the 3008 was to have gone on sale here in diesel guise this month, but will now be released simultaneously with diesel and petrol engines in two months.

Peugeot says the diesel-powered 3008 2.0 HDi manual returns combined average fuel consumption of just 5.6 litres per 100km, and CO2 emissions of 146 grams per kilometre.

The 3008 will also feature an array of high-tech equipment, including Grip Control, Dynamic Roll Control, Distance Alert, Hill Assist, Head-Up Display and an automatic electric parking brake.

Setting the off-road-look 3008 wagon’s cargo space from its rivals is a patented rear compartment system incorporating a moveable floor with three height positions. Load space extends from 512 litres under the parcel shelf to 1604 litres with the rear seats folded.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia national marketing manager Richard Grant said an international golf championship is the ideal venue to debut the new 3008.

“The 3008 just happens to be a perfect car for golfers,” he said. “It has a huge rear load area that is extremely versatile thanks to its adjustable floor.

“Combined with the extra ride height and commanding driving position it offers an ideal proposition for almost any leisure activity.

“Peugeot and Golf Australia have had a close relationship over the last four years, so we are delighted to be able to unveil the car at one of their premier events.” While the five-seat version of Peugeot’s new 2.2-litre diesel-only 4007 opens the range at $44,490, local pricing for the five-seat-only 3008 will not be announced until to closer to its May launch.

As we’ve reported, the 3008 will form the basis of Peugeot’s first hybrid model in 2011, as well as the French maker’s first plug-in hybrid in 2012.

While the 3008, which features a unique cockpit-style interior and a neat horizontally split tailgate, will be front-wheel drive like the small 308 sedan/wagon on which it is based, the 3008 ‘Hybrid4’ and its plug-in stablemate will be all-wheel drive.

Due to emerge in Europe in late 2010 before arriving here in 2011, the 3008 Hybrid4 adds a rear-mounted electric motor to drive the rear wheels.

Total system outputs are 147kW and 300Nm and Peugeot says it will be one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles on the road with average fuel consumption of less than 4.0L/100km and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

Apart from the 3008 and Euro 5 emissions-compliant versions of the 308’s petrol and diesel engines, Peugeot will this year also launch its ground-breaking new RCZ coupe in Australia. The striking Audi TT rival is due here in July.