Latest first drives Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 Oct 2011

What is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4?

Hybrid4 isn’t a new term for anyone who has been tracking Peugeot and Citroën concepts for the last three years. However, the 3008 Hybrid4 is not only the first diesel hybrid car from Peugeot, it’s the first diesel hybrid you can buy in the UK.

The looks are familiar – from the outside you can’t tell the compact-SUV-cum-MPV looks apart from the conventionally-powered Peugeot 3008 range. But it’s under the familiar shell where the Hybrid4 differs.

Diesel engines are claimed to be, on average, 30% more economical than petrol, due to requiring less fuel to produce a similar amount of energy. So the thinking is that a diesel hybrid is going to be more frugal than the numerous petrol-hybrid alternatives that are currently on sale.

The 3008 Hybrid4 also uses an electronic manual six-speed gearbox, meaning the driver can choose between a fuel-saving full automatic mode or use the gear shifter or paddles behind the steering wheel to move through the transmission manually.

Do you know if it would be cheaper for you to run a diesel car or a petrol car? Use our Petrol vs Diesel tool to work out the price difference for your requirements.

The diesel engine and electric motor combine to produce 200bhp

What engine does it use?

The 3008 Hybrid4 uses a 2.0-litre 163bhp turbodiesel engine, supplemented by a 37bhp electric motor. The conventional engine powers the front wheels, while additional electric power goes directly to the rear wheels, resulting in a 200bhp output in total, and four-wheel drive.

But it’s not necessarily a four-wheel-drive car at all times. The Hybrid4 name comes from the four different driving modes you can switch between using a selector knob in the centre console. These are Auto, ZEV, Sport and 4WD.

Auto, the mode Peugeot recommends for the majority of everyday driving, lets the car select how it is powering itself . So, the 3008 Hybrid4 will pull away on electric power, delaying the introduction of the diesel engine until you’ve picked up sufficient speed.

ZEV, or Zero Emissions Vehicle, allows you to drive the car purely on electric power. However, this is only available up to around 30mph and will only last for a couple of miles of continuous driving before the charge drops to the point where the diesel engine takes over.

Sport mode, the mode that makes the 3008 Hybrid4 feel at its most dynamic, sharpens-up throttle response and holds gears for longer before moving up.

Finally, 4WD mode alerts the electric motor to kick in when the front wheels don’t offer enough traction to move the car on tricky surfaces.

The cabin is a pleasant place to be

Why buy one?

It will appeal to three different types of buyers. The first, and most obvious, being the eco-aware drivers – those who want to buy a hybrid purely for the feelgood green factor. And the 3008 Hybrid4 has this, offering a sub-100g/km-emissions model and a diesel emissions particulate filter throughout the range. But it will also be attractive for anyone looking to reduce their motoring costs. Free car tax, Congestion Charge exemption and much-reduced consumption (74mpg claimed), will also appeal to those looking for a cheap-to-run motor. Lastly, low company car tax should also make it a fleet-car favourite.

Traditionalists will like that it feels no different to a conventionally powered car inside - the inclusion of an electric motor and batteries hasn’t impeded on interior space. However, the boot size has been limited due to the batteries being placed above the electric motor under the raised boot floor.

The addition weight of the electric motor and batteries hasn’t had too much of an effect on the handling characteristics of the 3008, though. It offers a composed and surprisingly comfortable ride. The only time you really notice having the extra weight of the electric motor is over speed bumps – there’s a more pronounced thump when the rear-end drops.

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The Hybrid4 system works well but the gearbox doesn't

What’s its Achilles’ heel?

While the hybrid system works well, the equally unconventional gearbox doesn’t. In Auto mode the transmission is indecisive to the point of frustration. It does its best to predict the manner of gear changes you desire, but much of the time it’s laboured and slow to respond. This makes overtaking a real difficulty in this engine mode – we found Sport was the only mode to use when passing other vehicles.

The electric motor is also claimed to kick-in between gear changes to make it feel almost seamless, eliminating the power-cut during the process of engaging the clutch and selecting gear. However, there is still a hugely noticeable pause between gear changes, especially when accelerating hard in Sport mode - when you require more urgent gear selections.

Secondly, the diesel-electric combination doesn’t feel as refined as petrol hybrid alternatives. Due to the nature of diesel engines, you can clearly feel and hear when the engine has to cut in to take over from the electric power, and the familiar rumble and vibrations from the 2.0-litre lump can be felt at all times when the engine is working.

Finally, the price will be a concern for many. At £26,940 for the entry-level 3008 Hybrid4, it’s £4,200 more expensive than a comparable diesel-only 3008. And, even with the reduced fuel and car tax costs, we calculated that it would take seven years to recoup that £4,200 difference. And you also have to bear in mind that the 3008 Hybrid4 is £5,000 more expensive than a Toyota Prius and £3,000 more than a Lexus CT 200h, despite being very similar in size.

When can I buy one?

The 3008 Hybrid4 goes on sale in the UK in November.

How much will it cost?

The 99g/km CO2 model is priced at £26,995, while the two 104g/km CO2 models are priced between £28,495 and £29,950.

Top choice

The cheapest model is the one that will cost you the least to run. With a choice of just three specifications, the 99g/km CO2 version will be kindest to your wallet. It might not be as well equipped as the 104g/km CO2 options, but it retains the same performance and practicality levels as well as shaving as much as £3,000 off the purchase price.

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