Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4

A new hybrid car is born, and this time it comes from Peugeot. Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is the world’s first diesel hybrid crossover. As you have probably guessed this new hybrid is based on the Peugeot’s 3008 crossover. Does this mean that the car has all wheel drive? Yes it does. Further more, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 has a 2 litre HDi FAP engine with a maximum output of 163 HP and an electric motor which develops a maximum of 37 HP which means that the combined power of the two power units reaches 200 HP. Not bad at all. This hybrid from Peugeot promises a fuel consumption reduction of 35 percent reaching just 3.8 litres for 100 km and reduced CO2 emissions of just 99 grams/km. Sales for this model will start in Europe in the first quarter of 2011 and the car will be made in France.

The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 offers no less than four modes to drive the car: ZEV which stands for Zero Emissions Vehicle while the car is powered by the electric motor only, 4WD, Sport and Auto. Being based on the 3008, this is crossover, a car obtained by combining the best features of a SUV and a compact MPV.

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 – How it works

One thing should be clear from the beginning: the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is not a genuine four wheel drive. There is no mechanical link between the front and rear wheels. All the power from the diesel engine is distributed to the front wheels, which makes it a front wheel drive car by default. However, the electric motor is fitted at the back of the car, and all of the 37 HP are delivered to the rear wheels. So when the car is powered by the diesel engine alone, it is a front wheel drive car, when it is powered only by the electric motor, it becomes a rear wheel drive car, and when both the diesel engine and the electric motor work simultaneously it becomes a four wheel drive car. Assuming that the batteries are sufficiently charged, you can select the 4WD mode and as long as there is enough energy stored in the batteries the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 will run as a four wheel drive car. You do not have to worry about charging the batteries since this process is automated and batteries are charged by means of energy recovery. For example when you take your foot off the accelerator or braking the kinetic energy of the car will be transformed in electric energy by the same electric motor which will now act as an electric generator and power the batteries.

The engine

The diesel engine of the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 features a turbocharger with variable geometry and low inertia, a 2000 bar high pressure injection pump, common rail technology, solenoid injectors with “just” eight apertures, and a special combustion chamber design named Extreme Conventional Combustion System. If this name gives you headaches, the engine specs won’t disappoint you. The max power of 163 HP is reachable at 3750 rpm while the max torque of 300 Nm is ready to use from 1580 rpm. These are good specifications. Since this is the main power unit of this hybrid car, the engine is Euro 5 compliant and the 3008 HYbrid4 also has the FAP system, an octosquare Eolys additive enhanced particulate emission filter of the latest generation.

The gearbox

Peugeot has made what it appears to be the best choice in terms of transmission. If the car is a mixture between SUV and MPV characteristics, the gearbox is the best possible compromise between a manual and an automatic gearbox. The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 has a six speed manual gearbox controlled electronically. According to Peugeot the electronic control of the gearbox, while driving in automatic mode, enables fuel economy better than what could be achieved with a normal manual gearbox. You can choose between automatic or manual gear changes. You can change gears even from dedicated controls placed behind the steering wheel.

STOP & START system

Apparently this kind of systems is becoming a standard feature on an increasing number of new car models. In this case, this system stops the diesel engine when the car is not moving or when switching to electric mode and it also turns it back on when necessary but without the driver being able to feel this.

The suspension

Special attention has been paid to the rear suspension of the car. The technology used for the rear suspension of the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 can also be found on the Peugeot 407. This says a lot about the road characteristics of the car. The design of the suspension at the back is a multi-arm rear suspension type module which also accommodates the electric motor and the corresponding reduction gearbox. This choice should be a guarantee about the road behavior, offering both comfort and stability. To add even more to the car’s road stability the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is also fitted with an ESP system. This includes the ASR, a traction control system that should solve any possible problems on less grip friendly surfaces. If you plan to drive this car on reduced adherence surfaces, like a country road for example, the car can be equipped optionally with 16” “Mud & Snow” tires.

The interior

The interior of the car bears the marks of the hybrid system. The driver can monitor the status of the battery and the operating mode of the hybrid system via a 7” color screen or a multi-functional display. The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 also has a Head-Up Display system in the form of a transparent panel placed in the instrument panel visor which also can extend up when the driver needs to keep more his eyes on the road and then can be retracted back in its place.

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is a good blend of hybrid technology, style and comfort. What you get is a roomy car with the option to drive the car in 4WD mode for better traction and grip or in ZEV mode for zero emissions and zero fuel consumption. Adding the fresh, modern and clean design with the Peugeot style, you get a car that is enjoyable to drive and also economical and more eco friendly. Besides that the features packed in the car should satisfy any needs of functionality or comfort. Without compromising the driving satisfaction, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is a recommended viable alternative to a classic combustion car.