Peugeot 3008 goes after the 408 – Preview

In the current range of Peugeot, the 3008 is a special case due to its design. The car dates from the time when the previous 308 was still in the prime of its life and the 3008, especially at the front, strongly resembled its then little brother. The rear, however, was already a bit ahead of things; later the current 208 and 508 would look similar on that side. In a sense, the 3008 bridged the gap between two periods. A facelift in 2020 brought the 3008 (and the more spacious 5008) in line with the fresh 208 and 508, although not much later the new 308 and 408 went a step further. Especially the 408 does not make it easy for the 3008 as a long-legged model. It has a fresher appearance, but will soon also be available with a fully electric powertrain. It’s high time for the 3008 to go after its flashier brother.

Sloping roof style

The new 3008 has already been photographed by our spy photographer and despite the particularly thick camouflage jacket, you can see that the roofline of the 3008 follows the example of the 408. That means the new 3008 will have a more gently sloping D-pillar than the current model and thus shake off the traditional SUV lines somewhat. We see such SUVs more and more and, according to Peugeot, it is essential to make the high models more aerodynamic. Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson recently explained to AutoWeek: “We are all looking at ways to make them (SUVs, ed.) more aerodynamic. The silhouettes change, because they are dictated more by aerodynamics.” She cited the 408, which she says is a kind of cross between a sedan and an SUV. The 3008 is more on the SUV side, because it is less stretched and also a bit higher than the 408.

You will undoubtedly also see influences from the 408 and 308 in the design details. Our illustrator also imagines the 3008 with some light influences from the Inception Concept in the nose. The daytime running lights may no longer be located only in the ‘tusks’, but also in two additional ‘claws’ that visually extend from the headlights into the grille. Does the 3008 again bridge the gap between two Peugeot design periods? Who knows. As mentioned, the more streamlined shape of the new 3008 is not purely an aesthetic matter. Reducing the Cd value is essential; despite the high carriage, the 3008 has to cut through the air efficiently to reduce fuel consumption and especially power consumption.

Peugeot 3008 (Illustration: Larson).

In addition to fuel engines and (plug-in) hybrid drive, the Peugeot 3008 will almost certainly also come as an electric e-3008. After all, it shares its base with the 308 and 408 and that renewed EMP2 platform also offers space for electric powertrains. In that case, carefully count on a 156 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels and draws its power from a 54 kWh battery pack. Due to its size, the e-3008 may even fit a larger package. The range must be at least more than 400 km.

5008?

The big uncertain factor is the fate of the 5008. For the time being there is only a sign of life from the car sketched here. It could also be that it will not be called 3008, but 4008 and that a more traditionally lined model will be added next to it called 3008 or 5008. So it is certainly not set in stone yet and we expect the unveiling at the end of this year or early 2024.

The Peugeot 3008 in the Netherlands

Peugeot 3008 (pre facelift).

The 3008 is Peugeot’s best-selling high model in our country after the 2008. Since the introduction of the first generation in 2009, no fewer than 35,848 have left the showroom. The second generation is significantly more popular than the remarkably designed first 3008. The sales peak was in 2017, the first full year of sales of the current 3008 (5,255 units). The facelift in 2020 has not prevented sales from falling more than half since 2019, although the corona crisis and problems in the supply chain certainly played a role. Last year, 1,686 new Peugeots 3008 found a Dutch owner.