Driven: Peugeot hits re-set with new-gen 3008

THE new-generation 3008 mid-size SUV will spearhead a new product rollout – and the relaunch of the Peugeot brand – under the newly formed Peugeot Citroen Australia (PCA) banner when it hits local showrooms this month.

Peugeot’s redesigned high-rider marks a complete shift from the tall-boy hatch body style of the previous-generation 3008, and takes its place in the burgeoning mid-size SUV segment where the company says it will compete directly with the top-selling Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Koleos, Hyundai’s Tucson and even the slightly smaller Nissan Qashqai.

The 3008 is the first new model to go on sale since Subaru importer Inchcape Australasia took over as the local distributor for both Peugeot and Citroen from Sime Darby Motors Group in June.

Speaking with journalists at a media event for the 3008 last week, Inchcape Australasia chief executive Nick Senior highlighted how crucial the car will be in effectively relaunching the brand in the Australian market.

“The launch of the car itself is an extremely important one, not just for the 3008 but also for the Peugeot brand,” he said. “Of course, we are not just launching a vehicle, we are launching the ‘2017 European Car of the Year’. Let’s not forget that the 3008 was the first-ever SUV to win that prestigious title.

“Our main launch objectives for the 3008 are assisting with the brand relaunch as we will use the 3008 to create a halo effect over the entire brand. It’s also about building a brand, it’s about driving sales, it’s about elevating the customer experience, and it’s about delivering best-in-class value for money.”

Mr Senior detailed some of the marketing and communications activities that the company has employed to get the message out about the new model.

“We will have a strong presence on free-to-air TV, subscription TV, obviously digital and also outdoor as we drive two main objectives: awareness and consideration of the Peugeot brand, and awareness and consideration of this award-winning 3008,” he said.

“For the first time in a number of years, we will have a strong, sustained presence on TV, indeed a new TV schedule, which … starts Sunday night and goes right through until the last week of the year.”

As reported, the four-variant 3008 range will be offered with a choice of two powertrains kicking off with the Active from $36,990 plus on-road costs, followed by the Allure at $39,490, GT Line from $43,490 and topped by the GT at $49,490.

PCA has confirmed that it will not introduce the base Access variant that is offered in Europe as it pushes the Peugeot brand further upmarket, meaning there is no low-$30,000 range starter to compete against base versions of its rivals.

The company said the Active lines up with the spec and pricing of the Volkswagen Tiguan 2WD 110TSI Comfortline petrol that is priced from $36,990.

The Active, Allure and GT Line variants use a Euro 6-compliant 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pumping out 121kW of power at 6000rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1400rpm.

These petrol-powered variants can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 201km/h, while consuming 7.0 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle (equivalent to 156g/km of CO2).

Buyers wanting a diesel option only have one choice and that is the flagship GT that is powered by a Euro 6 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel delivering 133kW at 3750rpm and 400Nm at 2000rpm.

The GT offers 8.9s 0-100km/h acceleration, 207km/h top speed, 4.8L/100km economy and 124g/km of CO2 emissions.

All variants are two-wheel drive only and are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

However, GoAuto understands that PCA is considering offering the recently confirmed plug-in hybrid variant for sale in Australia down the track.

The PHEV version combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a pair of motors on the rear axle for all-wheel-drive traction and a total system output of about 220kW. It can reach 100km/h from standstill in about six seconds.

Standard equipment from Active up includes an 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen, the ‘i-Cockpit’ 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, front and rear parking sensors, a 180-degree reversing camera, electric park brake, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and cruise control with a speed limiter.

Other standard gear from the Active up includes Mirror Screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, 3D navigation, a smartphone induction charging plate, auto headlights/wipers, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to the Allure adds a 360-degree reversing camera with front cameras, the ‘city park automated parking system, keyless entry/start, electric folding door mirrors, tinted glass from the rear windows back, higher-grade dash and door panel fabric, two-tone fabric trim, a front bumper scuff plate, LED door puddle lights, a flat-folding front passenger seat for easier loading and 18-inch alloys.

Further up the range, the GT Line gains the ‘i-Cockpit amplify’ package which has a fragrance diffuser, a multi-point massage function in the driver’s seat, more advanced equaliser and sound settings and the ability to change the brightness of the lighting and choose colour themes for the screens.

It also features auto-dipping exterior mirrors when reversing, blue ambient lighting in the door panels and footwells, a full-grain perforated leather steering wheel, chrome trimmed brake and accelerator pedals, a special black roofliner, GT Line badging, full LED headlights and foglights, twin exhaust, a sports front bumper, a chequered grille design, ‘Black Diamond’ roof, a higher-grade two-tone trim and 18-inch two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Finally, the GT adds Alcantara quilted trim, door panel and dash finish, eight-way driver’s seat adjustment, heated front seats, driver’s seat memory function, wheelarch extensions, chrome exterior mirror shells and 19-inch two-tone diamond-cut alloys.

The 3008 from Active grade up comes standard with six airbags, distance alert, driver fatigue warning, speed-limit recognition, lane departure warning, Isofix child seat anchors and emergency brake assist.

Lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, ‘Active Safety Brake’ with pedestrian detection (autonomous emergency braking), blind-spot detection and the Peugeot smart beam assistance lighting system are part of the Advanced Safety Pack on the Allure and are standard on GT Line and GT. The pack is not available on Active.

GoAuto understands that PCA is hoping to offer AEB across more 3008 variants in the near future.

Options on all grades include a panoramic sunroof and metallic paint, and the French brand’s CoupeFranche two-tone paint is offered on GT and GT Line.

The 3008 is built on PSA Group’s ubiquitous EMP2 platform that forms the basis of the 308 and measures 4447mm long, 1906mm wide, 1624mm high and with a 2675mm wheelbase, making it 103mm shorter, 66mm wider, 51mm lower with a 25mm shorter wheelbase than the Mazda CX-5.

It can accommodate 591 litres of cargo with all seats in place, increasing to 1670L in the (fully flat) load area when the second row is stowed.

It uses an independent “pseudo” MacPherson strut front and semi-independent rear suspension set-up and even though it is a two-wheel-drive-only offering, is fitted with Peugeot’s Advanced Grip Control traction control system that has Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand and ESP Off modes and hill-descent control.

2017 Peugeot 3008 pricing*

Active (a)	$36,990
Allure (a)	$39,490
GT Line (a)	$43,490
GT (a)	$49,490

*Excludes on-road costs