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First seen as a
concept at last years Paris Motorshow – Prologue Hybrid 4 – Peugeot’s
new 3008 cross-over vehicle can now be revealed in all its glory.
This new, compact and spacious cross-over, represents a totally new
offering in the UK car market. It is aimed at sport-loving couples,
modern families, senior citizens and active young people who desire a
type of car which does not fall into existing categories, such as
hatchbacks and MPVs. Due to this positioning; it was perfectly natural
that the project originally code named T84 should be called 3008.
The 3008 structure
has been carefully designed to provide maximum secondary safety as well
as provide a structure with the same level of rigidity of that of a
saloon. To reduce emissions and, therefore fuel consumption and running
costs, the weight of the vehicle was kept to a minimum.
To help reduce the
vehicle’s weight, laser welding was used instead of normal spot welding,
the front overhang was kept to a minimum by the introduction of an
innovative new type of impact absorber, a number of light weight
materials were used and the thickness of the panoramic glass roof has
also reduced to just 5 mm, while still retaining the same levels of
safety as current roofs fitted to the 308 SW etc.
Hybrid 4
Technology
This name describes
the hybridisation of a traditional engine with an electric motor, in an
original layout in engineering terms that also allows the possibility of
four wheel drive.
While the
traditional engine is located as usual under the bonnet and drives the
front wheels, the electric motor is located under the load area floor
adjacent to the rear suspension. This technology not only represents a
real breakthrough in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (a
reduction of around 35%), but also in terms of four wheel drive.
At the Paris Motor
Show, the Prologue Hybrid 4 concept car was presented with a 2.0 litre
HDi FAP engine with a power of 163 bhp and an electric motor with a
maximum capacity of 37 bhp providing a maximum torque of 300 Nm at the
front and 200 Nm at the rear. Despite this performance, its fuel
consumption in the combined cycle is only 4.1 litres / 100 km, with CO2
emissions of just 109 g/km!
This technology
makes it possible to combine dynamic performance with respect for the
environment, while at the same time maintaining the benefits of a
spacious vehicle.
The HYbrid 4
technology, which is still under development, was incorporated into the
T84 programme from the very outset, since it is fully consistent with
the approach adopted for the vehicle. In accordance with the
announcement made at the Paris Motor show, the 3008 will be the Group’s
first vehicle to be equipped with Hybrid 4 technology. The commercial
launch of this four wheel drive hybrid cross-over is planned between now
and 2011.
The 3008 range will go
on sale in the UK at the end of 2009 and more information concerning
specification and prices will be announced nearer the launch date. |
