Peugeot 3008As Peugeot have widened their digital horizons when it comes to christening their vehicles, so the ease with which we can say the names diminishes. We’re OK with the 207 and so on (two-oh-seven), but the 1007 (now departed), the 4007 and now the 3008 give us more of a problem. Is it three-oh-oh-eight, three-double-oh-eight, three-zero-zero-eight, three-thousand-and-eight, or what? Well, a Peugeot spokesman put me right, and it is indeed the last of these.That’s the name, now what’s the car? Peugeot describe it as a ‘crossover’ – a name that many manufacturers are now employing to describe a cross between MPV, SUV and hatchback, with what they claim to be the practicalities of the first two and the driving enjoyment of the third. To be frank it’s the sort of claim that a manufacturer would make, and one that could easily be so much hot exhaust. But a drive of the car around Warwickshire roads did confirm that it feels much smaller than it actually is, thanks to the immediacy of steering response and suspension that’s firmer than your average MPV. Built on the 308 platform, it’s sized between the 308 hatch and SW.There’s a wide choice of engines, though the highest powered (163bhp from the 2-litre diesel) is limited to the auto transmission model. Petrol engines – jointly developed with BMW – are both of 1.6 capacity, and diesels 1.6 or 2-litres.Peugeot are confident that the adaptability of the 3008’s interior will appeal to those who need a mix of useful storage spaces and comfortable seating arrangements. All models have a 3-position load area floor which can form both a base for ones luggage as well as a cover for things you’d rather keep well out of sight, though the luggage cover obviously does a pretty good job of that anyway. At its lowest position the moveable floor (which can be removed entirely) leaves a total 1604 litres (57 cu.ft.) of space with the rear seat backs folded. At its second position the floor is level with the open lowered tailgate, which itself has the added benefit of offering a seat for picnics or changing into boots for walking and so on. In position three the floor is actually level with the top of the closed lower tailgate, so luggage that you’re not going to need before getting to the campsite can be stored out of the way beneath this, and the upper section of tailgate used as the boot lid in the meantime. It’s all very well designed and sturdily made; even plonking two substantial adults on the lower tailgate gave no cause for concern.All the usual seat adjustments are in place for the driver, so getting comfortable should be no problem, and of course you get the high vantage point so beloved of MPV/4WD/SUV buyers. Talking of 4WD, you’d probably expect the 3008 to be so equipped, but in fact it’s simply front-wheel driven. Peugeot looked at the costs and complications and reckoned that buyers would be just as happy saving on running costs and list price. So does that mean that off-road the 3008 is the proverbial fish out of water? Far from it, for like most cars it will cope amazingly well even on severely slippery surfaces such as wet grass. They demonstrated just how well by using the 1.6 petrol turbo model to launch a glider. Now many years ago I used to glide courtesy of an aged Humber Hawk that would tow us along until either speed was sufficient for lift-off, or the pilot could stand no more of the oil smoke issuing from the Humber’s exhaust. To achieve the same (minus the oil smoke) with the 3008 was actually very impressive, especially as it was being driven on grass that was not entirely dry. This particular model, car not glider, was fitted with Peugeot’s new Grip Control – with Mud & Snow tyres a £450 option available on upper models of the range. It features a 5-step adjustable traction control system – snow, sand, all-terrain and so on.As mentioned already the ride is firmish, though to ameliorate it somewhat, cars with the two highest performing engines are equipped with what Peugeot calls Dynamic Roll Control. It’s a neat idea that effectively links the two rear shock absorbers with an extra middle one, so on bends the outer one is automatically stiffened, thus obviating the need for the usual anti-roll bar and allowing softer settings in the straight-ahead position.Interior of the 3008 is comfortable and well appointed with quality materials; just the large centre console, with its gigantic oddments box, takes some getting used to, and can seem hard on the knees if you’re not careful. That aside, the 3008 is convincing in its automotive multi-tasking.Size: 4.37m x 1.84mEngines: Petrol: 1.6 litres – 120 & 150bhpDiesel: 1.6 litres – 110bhp 2.0 litres – 150 & 163bhpGearbox: 5/6-speed manual or 6-speed auto FWDBest consumption: 1.6 diesel EGC – 57.6mpg (with Electronic Gearbox Control and Michelin 16 or 17” tyres)Price at Oct ’09: £15,995 to £21,895Full details of the 3008 available on the manufacturer’s website: www.peugeot.co.ukPeter Cracknell - Oct 2009
Peugeot 3008
As Peugeot have widened their digital horizons when
it comes to christening their vehicles, so the ease with
which we can say the names diminishes. We’re OK
with the 207 and so on (two-oh-seven), but the 1007
(now departed), the 4007 and now the 3008 give us
more of a problem. Is it three-oh-oh-eight, three-
double-oh-eight, three-zero-zero-eight, three-
thousand-and-eight, or what? Well, a Peugeot
spokesman put me
right, and it is indeed
the last of these.
That’s the name, now
what’s the car?
Peugeot describe it as
a ‘crossover’ – a name
that many
manufacturers are now
employing to describe
a cross between MPV,
SUV and hatchback,
with what they claim to
be the practicalities of
the first two and the
driving enjoyment of
the third. To be frank
it’s the sort of claim
that a manufacturer
would make, and one that could easily be so much hot
exhaust. But a drive of the car around Warwickshire
roads did confirm that it feels much smaller than it
actually is, thanks to the immediacy of steering
response and suspension that’s firmer than your
average MPV. Built on the 308 platform, it’s sized
between the 308 hatch and SW.
There’s a wide choice of engines, though the highest
powered (163bhp from the 2-litre diesel) is limited to
the auto transmission model. Petrol engines – jointly
developed with BMW – are both of 1.6 capacity, and
diesels 1.6 or 2-litres.
Peugeot are confident that the adaptability of the
3008’s interior will appeal to those who need a mix of
useful storage spaces and comfortable seating
arrangements. All models have a 3-position load area
floor which can form both a base for ones luggage as
well as a cover for things you’d rather keep well out of
sight, though the luggage cover obviously does a
pretty good job of that anyway. At its lowest position
the moveable floor (which can be removed entirely)
leaves a total 1604 litres (57 cu.ft.) of space with the
rear seat backs folded. At its second position the floor
is level with the open lowered tailgate, which itself has
the added benefit of offering a seat for picnics or
changing into boots for walking and so on. In position
three the floor is actually level with the top of the
closed lower tailgate, so luggage that you’re not going
to need before getting to the campsite can be stored
out of the way beneath this, and the upper section of
tailgate used as the boot lid in the meantime. It’s all
very well designed and sturdily made; even plonking
two substantial adults on the lower tailgate gave no
cause for concern.
All the usual seat adjustments are in place for the
driver, so getting comfortable should be no problem,
and of course you get the high vantage point so
beloved of MPV/4WD/SUV buyers. Talking of 4WD,
you’d probably expect the 3008 to be so equipped, but
in fact it’s simply front-wheel driven. Peugeot looked
at the costs and complications and reckoned that
buyers would be just as happy saving on running costs
and list price. So does that mean that off-road the 3008
is the proverbial fish out of water? Far from it, for like
most cars it will cope amazingly well even on severely
slippery surfaces such as wet grass. They
demonstrated just how well by using the 1.6 petrol turbo
model to launch a glider. Now many years ago I used to
glide courtesy of an aged
Humber Hawk that would
tow us along until either
speed was sufficient for
lift-off, or the pilot could
stand no more of the oil
smoke issuing from the
Humber’s exhaust. To
achieve the same (minus
the oil smoke) with the
3008 was actually very
impressive, especially as it
was being driven on grass
that was not entirely dry.
This particular model, car
not glider, was fitted with
Peugeot’s new Grip
Control – with Mud & Snow
tyres a £450 option
available on upper models of the range. It features a 5-
step adjustable traction control system – snow, sand,
all-terrain and so on.
As mentioned already the ride is firmish, though to
ameliorate it somewhat, cars with the two highest
performing engines are equipped with what Peugeot
calls Dynamic Roll Control. It’s a neat idea that
effectively links the two rear shock absorbers with an
extra middle one, so on bends the outer one is
automatically stiffened, thus obviating the need for the
usual anti-roll bar and allowing softer settings in the
straight-ahead position.
Interior of the 3008 is comfortable and well appointed
with quality materials; just the large centre console, with
its gigantic oddments box, takes some getting used to,
and can seem hard on the knees if you’re not careful.
That aside, the 3008 is convincing in its automotive
multi-tasking.
Size:
4.37m x 1.84m
Engines:
Petrol: 1.6 litres – 120 & 150bhp
Diesel: 1.6 litres – 110bhp
2.0 litres – 150 & 163bhp
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual or 6-speed auto FWD
Best consumption:
1.6 diesel EGC – 57.6mpg
(with Electronic Gearbox Control and
Michelin 16 or 17” tyres)
Price at Oct ’09:
£15,995 to £21,895
Full details of the 3008 available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.peugeot.co.uk
Peter Cracknell - Oct 2009
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