Peugeot 3008 diesel-electric hybrid

Initial details of the first in-house-developed crossover diesel-electric hybrid christened the 3008 from Peugeot are leaking out.

The car maker plans to unveil the new, compact and spacious crossover as new model which would target sport-loving couples, modern families, senior citizens. It will also try and lure those customers who look at buying a car that is not a hatchback or an MPV.

The christening of Peugeot 3008 originates from the thought that the digit 3 places the car in the company’s compact medium range, while the two zeroes stand for original design. Meanwhile, digit 8 stands for the generation within the current range. The casr maker has build the 3008 based on PSA’s short wheelbase platform 2. This in fact is on the lines of the range of Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4 models, said sources.

It may be recalled that the building of the model was kick started with an innovative new four wheel drive hybrid drivetrain, which was to debut withing a period of two years . The car will go into production this summer. It has been pointed out that the non-hybrid versions go on sale first later this year.

To be powered by a 110hp 1.6-litre turbodiesel with manual or automated manual transmissions, 150hp (six-speed manual) and 163hp (six-speed automatic) two-litre turbodiesels and 120hp (five-speed manual) and 150hp (six-speed manual) 1.6-litre petrol units, the car will have a design not different from a Toyota’s Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV. Further , it will also sport a combustion engine, which would be driving the front wheels and an electric motor under the load area floor adjacent to the rear suspension, reports added.

Significantly enough, the Peugeot 3008 will rol out PSA’s much talked about hybrid 4 technology, that is a combination of a traditional combustion engine and an electric motor. The car would further boast of weight-reduction measures, made possible by laser welding, they added. More importantly, the car would boast of commendable cut in carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The CO2 emissions are said to be reduced by around 35 per cent.

It is being said by preview writers that the 3008 will be the group’s first vehicle with the Hybrid 4 technology. Features would include directional bi-xenon headlamps, front and rear parking assistance, variable speed limiter and cruise control, tyre under-inflation detection, electric folding door mirrors, automatic headlamps and wipers