FIRSTDRIVE PEUGEOT 3008:Peugeot takes on Qashqai with impressive new crossover, writes PADDY COMYN
FINDING GOOD news in the motor industry at the moment is like finding someone who thought the recent Budget was fair. But while many new models are struggling, there are a few survivors – the Nissan Qashqai is one.
The Qashqai has been followed by the likes of the Ford Kuga and even the Kia Soul. These crossovers are being bought by young and old who find it easy to get in and out of.
Not only are they good value, they don’t come laden with the taboos of an SUV, because they simply aren’t.
Peugeot, like many other European brands, has looked on with envy at these models and now they are giving us their own version. But at the press conference for their new 3008, they refused initially to even name the Qashqai as a rival. Yet if Peugeot is to stand a chance of competing in the Irish market it will need to concentrate on it.
The 3008 is first and foremost a crossover, with styling cues from the 308 hatchback placed on a raised vehicle that has the look of an SUV, but not in the overt way of some of its main rivals, such as the Kuga or Tiguan. The absence of the usual pseudo-SUV plastic cladding on the exterior and the high side of the doors and huge glass area give it the look of an MPV too. No surprise then that there will be a five- and seven-seater MPV coming down the line.
The proportions are good but our test cars were fitted with 18in alloy wheels: wheels smaller than this may look malnourished. It is a handsome vehicle with thoughtful styling. It has a big, imposing grille and almost theatrical headlights, but in the right colour (dark navy) it looks like an expensive car.
This is the best Peugeot interior for some time, with a real improvement in the grade of plastic and a raised centre console dividing the front two seats for a premium feel. There is an option for a head-up display, a flip-up glass pane that projects an image of things like speed into your eye-line. It can be adjusted or folded away. It hasn’t been seen in a mainstream brand before but it works well.
The boot has a split tailgate and a load area floor that can be easily and cleverly compartmentalised. The load area has a constant width of 1,030mm and a capacity of 512 litres, or 1,604 litres with the rear seats folded.
There were two engines at launch: the 1.6-litre 110bhp HDi diesel engine and the 1.6-litre 150bhp turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.6-litre diesel is familiar to Irish drivers from cars such as the 308 and despite being in a heavier vehicle it acquits itself well. From 0-100km/h takes 12.2 seconds and the CO2 figures of 137g/km place it in Band B, with annual road tax of €157, the cheapest in a vehicle of this type. Fuel economy is good, returning 5.1l/100km.
What is really impressive about the 3008 is the way it drives. Peugeot offers a special anti-roll bar for the rear in high-performance versions but even the 1.6-litre diesel, which doesn’t have this, drives well. Its firm steering is communicative and for a high-sided vehicle there is an absence of body roll. It has better handling than the Qashqai, feeling much more car-like and competent through bends. Not only is it comfortable, refined and luxurious but entertaining to drive: Peugeot’s best work in some time.
So, will it hit the right note with European consumers? That depends on the price. Peugeot’s Irish distributors remained coy on what they expect to charge for the 3008. They are perhaps torn between offering it as a premium car or locking horns with the Qashqai and offering it at around €26,000 as a volume seller.
The cheapest diesel Qashqai costs €25,945 so the Peugeot 3008 is likely to come in slightly higher at around €28,000, but for that you can expect all the bells and whistles. It certainly is good enough to worry Nissan and the closer the two are priced, the more Peugeot will sell. The car is expected in Ireland in October, with few sales expected until 2010. In 2011, Peugeot will introduce a diesel Hybrid version with Band A emissions and a version using the electronically controlled six-speed gearbox from the 308 Ecomatique will also follow.
Factfile Peugeot 3008
Engine:1560cc turbo diesel with 110bhp and 240Nm torque
Transmission:Six-speed manual or six-speed electronically controlled
Performance:0-100km/h, 12.2 seconds. Maximum Speed: 180km/h
Fuel Economy:5.1l/100km
CO2 Emissions:137g/km
Tax Band:B; €157 per annum
Price:TBC, circa €28,000
Available:October 2009