What's the news?
Say hello to the all-new Peugeot 3008. The name might sound familiar, but the 3008 has changed significantly and Peugeot hopes to take a big bite out of the C-SUV segment. It's a busy market though, with new and impressive additions including the Ford Edge, Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan. By completely redesigning the 3008 Peugeot hopes to steal buyers away from some of those, helped not only by the 3008's stylish looks, but also by high levels of standard equipment.
Exterior
Given just how much of a departure this new Peugeot 3008 is from the outgoing model that bore the same name there's less relevance in examining the differences. Nonetheless, it is 8cm longer, but remains the same width as before at 1.84m, while overall height has been reduced to 1.62m (from 1.63m). The ground clearance remains at 22cm.
A vertical front-end and large bonnet area help to give the 3008 greater presence. This is carried along the flanks where a high waist line combined with protective cladding that runs from the bumpers, around the wheel arches and along the base of the doors add to a beefier look. Alloy wheels measuring 18 inches in diameter ensure those arches don't appear too empty either. A painted C-pillar adds to the look of a floating roofline.
Styling clues such as the 'three claw' tail lights are familiar to other models in the current range such as the Peugeot 208 and the recently updated 2008 crossover. The lion badge takes pride of place in the centre of the grille, which is flanked by sleek halogen headlamps. Buyers will be able to specify a gloss black roof as well as full LED headlights.
Interior
We had already been given a preview of how the interior of the new 3008 looks and seeing it in the finished car confirms just how well it works. The immediate reaction is to just how much more upmarket the interior both looks and feels. All 3008 models, regardless of specification grade, will come with the high-resolution 12.3-inch digital dashboard display. Capable of five different display modes, it also uses some very impressive, if at times quite abstract, graphics to relay all the relevant information to the driver.
In addition to this there will be an eight-inch colour touch screen that will host all of the infotainment systems and other features such as satnav and climate control. In an evolution from a similar system already employed in some of the PSA Group cars, this will now utilise six shortcut buttons at its base.
The back seats provide comfortable seating for three and can be folded flat to increase boot capacity from the standard 520 litres (up 90 litres over the previous 3008) to 1,580 litres. Peugeot also claims that the boot loading level is one of the lowest in the segment.
Mechanicals
Peugeot will offer some familiar engines in the 3008's line-up including a 130hp version of its 1.2-litre PureTech petrol unit. This will come with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. A more powerful 1.6-litre THP petrol engine, with 165hp, will also be offered, although this will only be available with a six-speed automatic and will see emissions rated at 129g/km, which will mean an annual motor tax cost of €270.
Likely to be of more interest to Irish buyers will be the diesel engine range. This will start off with two versions of the company's 1.6-litre BlueHDi unit, producing 100- or 120hp with emissions remaining at a tax-friendly 100- and 121g/km respectively. Two punchier 2.0-litre diesel engines are also going to be available with 150- and 180hp.
Despite the SUV appearance, the 3008 will remain solely a front-wheel drive car. Peugeot will offer its Advanced Grip Control system, which is an enhanced form of traction control. This system will also provide a Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC) function that enables the 3008 to automatically control its pace when driving down steep slopes, leaving the driver to only focus on steering.
Anything else?
The Peugeot 3008 will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. Irish order books are due to open later in the year with the first customer deliveries being readied in time for the 171-registration period starting in January 2017.