Latest to join the Peugeot ranks is the impressive 3008, available here in electric and hybrid powertrains and replacing the outgoing model of the same name.
It's a car that, since 2017, has won over 13,000 customers in Ireland. The previous version of the 3008 also won the prestigious Irish Car of the Year award in 2018. The vehicle was also crowned as International Car of the Year in 2017.
You may recall an old episode of Top Gear where Clarkson and May took to the English countryside to parody the "modern Peugeot driver", colliding their 307 and 407 models into just about every tree and road sign within site.
The rhetoric of Peugeot being something of a substandard car maker was one I believed at the time, particularly given the influence the BBC show had during its pomp. Whatever reputation Peugeot may have had, the current crop of the brand's cars are some of the best on the market – an opinion I've formed without sway.
With the new 3008, Peugeot is now on target to offer EV options in all of its line-up by the end of 2025, and offer full EV sales by 2030.
The E-3008 (tested here ) is the first model to use Stellantis’ brand-new STLA Medium electric powertrain, which can achieve a 30-minute recharge time for 20-80 per cent from a 160kW charger.
The new E-3008 also features a V2L (Vehicle to Load ) function, giving customers the option of powering an electrical device via the car’s high-voltage battery. The V1G or Smart Charging function can also adjust the time and power at which the battery of the new E-3008 is charged to optimise charging costs. A heat pump is standard across the electric range.
The fastback SUV styling of the new 3008 makes it immediately recognisable. The E-3008 remains one of the most compact cars in the fully-electric SUV category (length: 4.54m, width: 1.89m, height: 1.64m ), while still providing 520 litres of boot space - identical to that of the previous 3008. The slicker silhouette of the new model doesn't compromise on rear passenger space, either.
With a fully redesigned front end, the ultra-compact LED headlamps and grille are complemented by a sweeping profile which highlights the unique personality of the 3008.
The new 3008 is available in a range of six colours. Thanks to innovative dichromatic pigments, the 'Obsession Blue' colour (pictured ) changes from blue to green depending on the light and the shape of the bodywork.
Inside, the new Peugeot panoramic i-Cockpit features a floating, curved 21-inch HD panoramic screen that combines the head-up display with the central touchscreen. The panoramic screen is slightly curved towards the driver while remaining fully accessible to the passenger. In the centre of the dashboard, the touch-screen is used to manage the heating/air conditioning, navigation and media/connectivity systems.
The Peugeot 3008 is available with two trim levels, 'Allure' and 'GT'. The 210bhp/157kW standard range version is priced at €43,965 for Allure and €49,795 for GT (after state subsidies ). The mild hybrid version of the new 3008 (136bhp/100kW 1.2 PureTech 1 e-DCS6 ) is available now priced at €43,995 for Allure and €47,995 for GT.
The 230bhp/170kW Long Range version (up to 680km WLTP ) is coming in Q1 2025, as is the 320bhp/240kW Dual Motor providing all-wheel drive.
