With the advent of plug-in hybrid technology, the Peugeot 3008 reaches its technological peak. Peugeot even offers it in two versions, the most accessible having a system power of 225 hp. We subjected the latter to a test.
Anyone who reads Techzle every week will see one newcomer after another with plug-in hybrid powertrain passing by on the pages. Manufacturers distribute this technology in large numbers across the model range to keep the CO2 emissions of their fleet average as much as possible below 95 grams per kilometer. Anything above that will result in a fine, so they are committed to getting this expensive and heavy technique sold. The drivetrain, which consists of a combustion engine, one or more electric motors and a large, rechargeable battery pack, can, when fanatically plugged in, yield very good emissions figures. However, that is different for everyone, because with no powertrain the differences per type of use can be so great. One person will be able to make at least 80 percent of his journeys purely electrically, the other will not make it by far due to the many long distances or the lack of charging options. We do see the electric range of the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) growing strongly for all brands, including at Peugeot, which is now introducing plug-in hybrids for the first time. Getting up to 50 kilometers on one battery charge without the petrol engine kicking in is a promise Peugeot makes for the electrified 3008s. That value applies to the Hybrid and for the Hybrid4 the brand even gives up 59 kilometers. Hybrid? Yes, Peugeot chooses that name and does not use the common name PHEV or Plug-in Hybrid for this type of drive. Perhaps also because in the past there was already a Peugeot 3008 with the designation Hybrid4. The first generation version had a diesel engine that was linked to an electric motor that drove the rear wheels. A plug was not used. Now there are even two electric motors in action with the 300 hp Hybrid4; one coupled to a 200 hp PureTech power source in the front and one at the rear wheels. A step lower is our test car, which without the addition ‘4’ is listed as a 3008 Hybrid in the price list and has the same 1.6 petrol engine as the topper, but with 180 hp and linked to one electric motor. This combination is front-wheel drive. The arrival of the 225 Hybrid means the end of the 3008 1.6 PureTech 180 in the Netherlands, so that the range for the petrol driver now offers a choice of three versions: the widely sold three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech 130 and the two plug-in hybrid versions.
Now and then a sprint
In pure electric mode, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid is still overflowing with eagerness, even though the power of the electric motor is only 110 hp. The range on electric power also makes us happy. We reach 49 kilometers, which is only one kilometer less than the manufacturer’s specifications. As you are used to from us, with plug-in hybrids we achieve an electrical consumption and we also make test kilometers without first connecting the car to the power via the cable. That also yields a nice figure this time: 1 in 15.2. The fierceness that the 3008 shows in both electric and hybrid mode translates into nice acceleration figures, with the Peugeot sprinting from 0 to 100 faster in 8.1 seconds. If you use the potential too often, you will certainly not get such fine consumption values, but if you are such a driver who occasionally pulls a sprint at the traffic light, then you have a good thing about the 3008 Hybrid. At low speeds where the driver strokes the gas, there is a nice transition between electric and hybrid driving. If you press the gas deeper, you will certainly feel the transition and because a conventional automatic transmission is in operation here, there are shift moments. In Sport mode, which can be useful when driving in the mountains, the shift paddles can really make sense. Pure electric driving in that mode, where everything is on edge, is not possible. Caravan owners will have to pass up the plug-in 3008, because this Hybrid can only pull 600 kilos and the Hybrid4 750 kilos.
One of the 3008’s strengths is its stunning interior, where a fabric strip across the dashboard enhances the atmosphere and a wide center console encapsulates the front occupants. The beautiful graphics in the instruments and the central display complete the pleasant feeling that this interior gives you. In addition to the attractive toggle switches under the multimedia screen, an extra button has been placed, which offers a shortcut to the efficiency displays, everything related to electric driving and consumption, charging and fuel consumption. Handy and fast and certainly the latter can use the PSA multimedia system. However, the button is slightly smaller, as if such a function had not yet been taken into account at the start of the development of the 3008.
Console between the front seats
We have been used to the small steering wheel since 2013 (it debuted on the 308). Or not. It’s personal. It can be a reason for people to leave a Peugeot, but many people can apparently get over it. The sales figures prove this, because every year 4,500 to 5,000 3008s of the current generation were registered in the Netherlands. In the back, the 3008 is not oversized in terms of space. Especially the middle person in the back seat has to settle for less space because of the console between the front seats. There is a compartment under the floor of the luggage compartment for the charging cables; one for the charging station and one for the regular socket. Roll up the cables neatly, otherwise they will not fit. The loading opening is on the left rear. The 3008 Hybrid is also suitable for fast charging at an additional cost.
While driving, the steering of the 3008 fails to give you a good impression of what the front wheels do, although despite the comfortable set-up of suspension and damping, you get a good idea of what the car does in corners. Despite the fairly flat tires, the 3008 remains comfortable in all conditions. He does roll around his longitudinal axis and dives a bit, but is that bad? Not for the driver, although it can be a nuisance for fellow passengers.
Peugeot offers fewer versions of the 3008 Hybrid than the Hybrid4. It is only listed as Allure in the price list, with business drivers receiving it as Blue Lease Premium. That is an Allure, but only available to the business buyer. The options are only metallic paint, aluminum roof rails and comfort seats with electric adjustment. A provision such as adaptive cruise control is not there yet, because you have to tick the Pack Drive Assist Plus. The Hybrid4 offers many more dressing options. It is available as GT, Première and Première Pack.