Peugeot locks in 3008

PEUGEOT has confirmed that its new-generation 3008 crossover will hit Australian shores in the first quarter of next year to replace the quirky MPV that currently carries the moniker.

The Australian 3008 line-up will feature Euro 6 powertrains including the 123kW 1.6-litre petrol unit and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel BlueHDi unit.

While it is yet to be confirmed, a flagship GT variant is still being considered for Australia and is powered by a 133kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Both powertrains will use a six-speed automatic transmission co-developed with Aisin, meaning a manual gearbox option is unlikely and the 3008 looks set to be a two-wheel drive-only proposition when it eventually lobs.

The 3008 is underpinned by PSA Group’s EMP2 platform that forms the basis of the 308 small car, as well as sister brand Citroen’s C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso.

Inside, the new 3008 benefits from the second-generation version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, which according to the French car-maker, “puts within reach everything drivers need to access, all of it contained within a high-tech, high-quality niche”.

The second-generation 3008 shares nothing but a name with its quirky MPV-style predecessor that was a sales success in Europe but failed to fire in Australia.

Offering a more traditional compact SUV will likely give Peugeot a boost in the booming segment that is up 6.3 per cent year on year.

Currently Peugeot offers three models in the sub-$40,000 small-SUV segment, including the 208 hatch-based 2008 sub-compact SUV, the outgoing 3008 and the ageing Mitsubishi ASX-based 4008.

Despite the similar dimensions of the 4008 and the new-gen 3008, Peugeot Australia PR and communications manager Tyson Bowen denied there would be confusion in the showroom over the two models.

“When you look at them, they will both be a very different proposition,” he told GoAuto. “In making the 3008 more SUV-like, on paper you could look at them and think they could be similar but once you see it (3008) in the flesh and you go over the specifications, they are very different.”

Mr Bowen also said it was unlikely that the new 3008 would eat into 308 Touring wagon sales as they appeal to different consumers.

“No, they are very different buyer sets. Even now with 3008 and 4008, people that come in looking for a (308) Touring, on a lot of occasions they haven’t even contemplated an SUV.”

Mr Bowen said the opposite was true of buyers who come in to look at the 4008 or 3008 and are drawn to the 308 Touring because it has more cargo space than the small SUVs. During the early part of the 308’s launch in 2015 the wagon variant made up one third of all 308 sales in Australia.

While the 308 remains Peugeot’s top seller in Australia with 890 units shifted to the end of July, Mr Bowen admitted that the new 3008 could be a big seller too given it is entering “one of the most robust and healthy segments in the marketplace”.

“Absolutely there is a lot of potential there and obviously it will come down to where final pricing and specification ends up and that will have an impact on it. But also what goes on in that segment, it is very healthy and competitive. But yes it certainly has a lot of potential.”

Peugeot Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz said that 2017 would be a busy year for the French brand as it ramps up its new-model rollout.

“The launch of 3008 will coincide with a significant refocus and refresh of the brand and model line-up in Australia,” he said.

“The remainder of 2016 will be dedicated to preparing our business for the launch of two all-new models and a refresh to a further two model lines in 2017.

“With its all-new platform and drivetrains, combined with its French design and engineering, we are extremely excited about the all-new 3008 and believe that this is the Peugeot SUV Australians have been waiting for.”

While the model refreshes he refers to are likely to mean the facelifted 2008 crossover, revealed earlier this year, and the as-yet unseen mid-life update for the top-selling 308.

Apart from the 3008, the second all-new model is unclear but could be a commercial or passenger van, such as the Expert or Traveller.