News, SUV, Motorshow

New Peugeot 3008 unveiled

Peugeot has revealed its new 3008 SUV.

Set to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the new 3008 is one of the more compact models the popular C-segment SUV market, at 4450mm in length. However, a longer wheelbase and an overall length means the 3008 offers greater passenger and luggage space over the outgoing model. Interior space has ‘greatly improved’, most notably for rear occupants who now have an additional 24mm legroom, 4mm elbow room and 36mm headroom.

Luggage space has also improved, with capacity of 520L (under the luggage cover), almost 90L bigger than the previous generation. Like the previous version, owners can remove the luggage cover and fold the second row of seats flat; this results in a total luggage capacity of 1580 litres.

The new model is, on average, 100kg lighter than the previous generation versions. This has been achieved though ‘intelligent design and use of materials’ to provide improved efficiency, better fuel economy and increased performance. Very High Strength Steel (VHSS) and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) have been used in the vehicles construction, with a thermoplastic boot floor and tailgate and aluminium wings, front suspension arms and rear seat frames. More refined engines also allow for a reduction in sound-deadening materials.

The new model comes with the latest generation Peugeot i-Cockpit which includes advanced sensory engagement for both driver and passengers. By simply pressing a dedicated key - next to the toggle buttons - there is the opportunity to enhance the driving experience with i-Cockpit Amplify. Once selected ‘all the senses are immediately aroused’ says Peugeot; Sight – by varying the intensity of ambient lighting and the colour screens, Hearing – via the musical ambiance settings, Touch – via the multi-point massage embedded in the seats (with up to five programmes) and Smell – via the aroma from the fragrance diffuser.

The folding bench seat has a 2/3 - 1/3 ‘Magic Flat’ capability to optimise loading with a flat floor. The adaptable moving boot floor has evolved to two positions to allow the optimisation of boot space and with removable side-panels that can be affixed to the side boot trim. For the carrying of long objects, the front passenger seat can be folded to allow a smaller width item of 3 metres to be carried on all versions. This clever functionality can be further completed with a hands-free opening tailgate, allowing a simple gesture of the foot under the rear bumper to open or to close the motorised tailgate.

Available on the new 3008 is Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert, a distance alert function (risk of collision warning) with automatic emergency braking (to avoid a collision or to limit the severity by reducing vehicle speed) and Active Involuntary Crossing Line, a lane departure alert for safer driving with visual and audible warnings and active vehicle control.

The new model also has the Driver Alert Warning function; with constant analysis of vehicle trajectory against road markings, it can then trigger several levels of audible and visual alerts and remind drivers to take a break after two hours of continuous driving and at a speed greater than 40mph.

Additional to these, are safety features such as Automatic High Beam Assistance, to automatically switch between high beam and low beam depending on the lighting conditions and oncoming traffic, Speed Sign Detection and Recommendation, standard on all trim levels, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop function, Active Blind Spot Monitoring System and Park Assist, which allows the vehicle to park itself with minimum input from the driver. Finally, Visiopark 1 & 2, with Visiopark 1 including a 180° view camera on the tailgate and Visiopark 2 adding the same camera to the front bumper for a complete 360° exterior vehicle view on the interior touch screen.

The new 3008’s aerodynamic design has been optimised to deliver ‘class leading’ efficiency and with ultra Low Rolling Resistance (ULRR) tyres fitted as standard to all 3008s with 17” and 18” or the larger 19’’ (205 55 R19) wheels, further enhancing the SUV's efficiency.

Power comes from a range of fuel efficient Euro6.1 petrol and diesel engines - from a 1.2L PureTech 130 Stop&Start (S&S) with CO2 emission of 115g/km to the 1.6L THP 165 S&S 6-speed Automatic (EAT6). A choice of five diesel engines are also available - from the 1.6L BlueHDi 100 S&S 5-speed Manual (BVM5) to the 2.0L BlueHDi 180 S&S 6-speed Automatic (EAT6).

Available to order in the UK from November with first deliveries due in January 2017, pricing and specifications will be announced in Paris.