New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4: World's First Diesel - Electric Hybrid Returns 3.8lt/100km or 61.9mpg US

For those of your torn between petrol-hybrid and diesel cars, Peugeot may have the answer for you as the French automaker has presented the world's first production diesel-fueled hybrid vehicle, the 3008 Hybrid4. Unlike your common hybrid that makes use of a petrol engine, the Peugeot crossover combines a 163bhp 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit powering the front wheels and an electric motor (27bhp continuous / 37bhp maximum) driving the rear axle.

As a result, the car is not only more fuel efficient than a typical hybrid, but (and though the two powertrains are not connected) also offers a four-wheel drive mode.

The total system output is 200-horsepower with a combined maximum torque of 500Nm (369 lb-ft), split 300Nm (221 lb-ft) at the front axle from the diesel unit and 200Nm (148 lb-ft) at the rear generated by the electric motor. The diesel engine, which features a second generation Stop & Start system, is hooked up to an electronically-controlled manual six-speed sequential gearbox.

An energy recovery system harnesses the kinetic energy created by the vehicle during deceleration and transforms it electrical energy to recharge the Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries located under the boot floor, near the electric motor.

The hybrid setup, which adds 264lb (120kg) to the vehicle's weight, allows the 3008 crossover to run in front-drive only, rear-drive only and all-wheel drive modes. The driver can choose between four different operating modes through a center-console mounted dial.

In "Auto" mode, the electronics manage the change between the diesel engine and the electric motor for maximum economy. The second choice is "ZEV" mode, in which case, the car runs on pure electricity for a maximum drive range of 4.5 km or 2.8 miles.. The third option is "4WD" mode, which instructs both power trains to operate together for as much as possible. Finally, there's a sport mode which makes use of the full 200-horsepower system.

Peugeot says the 3008 Hybrid4 returns a combined fuel consumption of just 3.8lt/100km (equal to 61.9mpg US or 74.4mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of only 99g/km. In terms of performance, the French automaker claims a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 209km/h (130mph).

The same hybrid drivetrain will be used next year on the newly introduced 508 sedan and station wagon, as well as other models of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group. The 3008 HYbrid4 will be built at the firm's Sochaux and Mulhouse plants in France with European sales scheduled to start in the spring of 2011.

Peugeot UK Launches 3008 with More Powerful Diesel and Six-Speed Auto

Peugeot will expand its 3008 crossover range in the UK this June with the introduction of the 3008 HDi 163 FAP Automatic variant, which will be available in two trim levels, Sport and Exclusive, priced from £21,395 and £22,795 respectively.

The latest 3008 model gets a new and more powerful 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that delivers an output of 163bhp at 3,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 340 Nm (258 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm. The HDi 163 is only available with a six-speed automatic gearbox that features two driving modes - automatic and sequential selection control.

According to the French automaker, the 3008 HDi 163 FAP Automatic completes the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 10.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 127mph (204km/h).

It returns 32.5 mpg UK city, 52.3 mpg UK highway and a combined fuel economy of 42.8mpg UK which is equal to 6.6 lt/100km and 35.6mpg US.

Both trim levels come equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with energy saver tires, rear parking aid, cruise control, radio / CD player with MP3, leather steering wheel, front fog lights, electric windows, air-conditioning, automatic electric parking brake with hill assist, ESP, six airbags, ABS with EBFD, and remote central locking as standard.

The Exclusive version adds several goodies to the standard specification including a panoramic glass roof, automatic headlights and wipers, head up display, distance alert, rear side window sun blinds, tire pressure sensors, alarm, chrome front & rear bumpers and side rubbing strips, and dual zone digital air-conditioning.

Irmscher to Present Peugeot 3008 RC Line at Geneva Motor Show

European tuning firm Irmscher will debut a new range of accessories called "RC Line" for the Peugeot 3008 at next week's Geneva Salon. The Irmscher mods inject some additional visual flair into the French firm's new compact crossover model.

The available bits for the exterior include a stainless steel radiator grille with chrome trimming, a front spoiler, side skirts and a roof spoiler. There's also a lowering kit and 19-inch alloy wheels that are available in silver or black finish and are wrapped in 225/40 R19 performance tires.

For the interior, Irmscher's accessorization programme includes a full leather treatment that covers the door panels, dashboard and central console as well as the seats.

Pricing and more detailed information will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2.

Peugeot to Reveal RCZ HYbrid4 and 3008 HYbrid4 Production Model in Frankfurt

Together with the production version of the impressive RCZ sports coupe, Peugeot's Frankfurt Show stand will also host the world premiere of the experimental RCZ HYbrid4 prototype and the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover in production form. As their moniker suggests, the two HYBrid4 models share the same hybrid drivetrain. It combines a 163-horsepower 2.0-liter diesel with stop and start that drives the front wheels and an electric motor with 27 HP and temporarily, 37 HP, that powers the rear wheels.

The hybrid system works in parallel allowing alternate, for maximum efficiency, or simultaneous, for increased performance, operation of the HDi diesel engine and the electric motor which can produce a combined maximum output of 200-horsepower.

The French automaker claims that the system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 35 per cent in the combined cycle, compared to conventional engines of an equivalent power output.

The 3008 HYbrid4 that is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2011 is said to return a combined fuel economy figure of 3.8 lt /100km or 61.9 mpg US with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

Depending on how well the 3008 HYbrid4 is received by the market, Peugeot may also introduce a production version of the RCZ HYbrid4.

Peugeot to Reveal RCZ HYbrid4 and 3008 HYbrid4 Production Model in Frankfurt

Together with the production version of the impressive RCZ sports coupe, Peugeot's Frankfurt Show stand will also host the world premiere of the experimental RCZ HYbrid4 prototype and the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover in production form. As their moniker suggests, the two HYBrid4 models share the same hybrid drivetrain. It combines a 163-horsepower 2.0-liter diesel with stop and start that drives the front wheels and an electric motor with 27 HP and temporarily, 37 HP, that powers the rear wheels.

The hybrid system works in parallel allowing alternate, for maximum efficiency, or simultaneous, for increased performance, operation of the HDi diesel engine and the electric motor which can produce a combined maximum output of 200-horsepower.

The French automaker claims that the system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 35 per cent in the combined cycle, compared to conventional engines of an equivalent power output.

The 3008 HYbrid4 that is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2011 is said to return a combined fuel economy figure of 3.8 lt /100km or 61.9 mpg US with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

Depending on how well the 3008 HYbrid4 is received by the market, Peugeot may also introduce a production version of the RCZ HYbrid4.

Insider: Peugeot to Reveal 7-Seater 5008 MPV Based on the 3008 Crossover

Update: Official Photos and Details Here

Our French sources have revealed to us that Peugeot is days away from taking the covers off its all-new people carrier, the 5008. The compact-sized MPV is based on the 3008 Crossover and will compete against the VW Touran, Renault Scenic and the Opel Zafira. The 5008 will be able to accommodate seven passengers in three rows of seats (2+3+2) featuring all the usual nick-knacks you expect to see on a French minivan. The engine range will be carried over from the 3008 unchanged and will include 1.6-liter petrol units in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms as well as various diesels like the 110HP 1.6-liter HDi and 163HP 2.0-liter HDi.

According to our insider, the 5008 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in September with sales expected to start in most European markets by the end of fall 2009. Stay tuned on Carscoop as we'll have more on this developing story.

Euro NCAP: Q5, Jazz, i20, Soul and 3008 Achieve 5-Star Rating, Suzuki Alto gets only 3-Stars

European car safety testing body Euro-NCAP has announced its latest batch of results for six new cars. Five of these models, the Audi Q5, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Kia Soul and Peugeot 3008 received Euro NCAP's maximum five star award while Suzuki's made-in-India Alto scored only three stars, its rating limited by its performance in adult occupant protection, child protection and safety assistance technologies. Euro NCAP made a special note on the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 as both cars managed to achieve a high score in pedestrian safety.

"We would like to commend the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 for their impressive pedestrian scores that not only meet current requirements, but also meet Euro NCAP's future requirements," Euro NCAP said in a statement.

All six vehicles were tested with Euro NCAP's new overall rating scheme that was introduced in 2009 and covers Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist. Under the new testing regime, vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars with the overall rating being based on the car's performance in each of the four main areas and the scores are weighted with respect to each other.