Alternative
fuel cars have been around for many years now as an answer to the realisation
that fossil fuels won’t last forever. We have seen hydrogen, natural gas and
even steam being used to propel the cars of tomorrow but sadly none have
captured buyer’s imagination quite like electric.
Although
today there are a handful of plugin cars around the current limitations of
battery technology result in a somewhat limited range that restricts their
usage as a household's sole transport. As a result hybrids - cars with two
power sources - are becoming increasingly popular as a way of reducing exhaust
emissions, increasing fuel efficiency and giving buyers a sense of pride that
they are doing their bit for planet earth.
Petrol-electric
hybrids have led the way by crusaders such as Toyota's now hugely successful
Prius, driven by many high profile celebrities around the world. Closely behind
are Honda and soon Ford, BMW and many others. Strangely the prospect of a
diesel-electric hybrid has always been swiftly dismissed on the grounds that
the marriage of a course diesel engine and a whisper quiet electric motor would
be commercial suicide.
There
is one manufacturer that for years has thought otherwise, that same
manufacturer also happens to have been the leader in diesel technology for a
very long time. That manufacturer is PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Peugeot is the first
company in the world to mass produce a full diesel-electric hybrid car and has chosen to
launch its cutting edge technology
in the award winning 3008
crossover. The questions on everyone’s lips - is the Hybrid4 technology any
good? Is it worth the added expense? Is it better than petrol-electric rivals?
We get behind the wheel to find out.
What is it?
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The 3008 HYbrid4 is
Peugeot's first ever diesel hybrid car that is set to pave the way for a whole
host of future models based on the same idealology. What makes it so unique is
not only the use of a diesel engine as its main power source but the inclusion
of decent performance into the mix unseen before in rival cars along with four
wheel drive. The Hybrid4's trump card has to be its claimed combined fuel
economy in the mid-70s (mpg) and emissions as low as 99g/km. Under the skin
this 3008 has more in common with the 508 as it borrows its multilink rear
suspension making it possible to mount the 37bhp electric motor which the
existing torsion beam wouldn’t allow. There are three different models in the
range to choose from, the base 99g, which is by no means poorly equipped costs
£26,995. Next up is the SR which adds Peugeot’s head up display and Connect Media
navigation system with 7" screen that can be had for £28,295. At the top
of the range sits the 104g which as the name suggests due to stylish 17"
alloy wheels just falls shy of tax band A but comes with a swish lighting pack
amongst other toys and retails at £28,495. Here we are testing the base 99g
with the addition of metallic paint, a 30GB media navigation system and head up
display.
Rivals: Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Nissan Leaf
Key Features
Visually there is
little to differentiate the Hybrid4 over the conventional 3008 so you get the
same bulbous high-waisted design with imposing front grill and distinctive triangular
rear lights. What’s new is subtle HYbrid4 badging on the boot lid and front doors
along with unique led-daytime running lights at the front and extra brightwork
on the front grill and window-line. Not to
be forgotten is Peugeot's recently modernised
emblem that sits proudly on the
3008's nose and rump. It all comes together nicely to look quietly
sophisticated but there will always be some that will find the styling a touch
brash, we however really like it.
Inside is standard
3008 fare so you be will pleased to find the same well designed driver
orientated front fascia clothed in high quality squidgy plastics even on the
lower sections. The high centre console and angled centre stack mimic an
aircraft cockpit making the driver feel cocooned. Helping lift the mood are
chrome effect plastics around the vents, gear selector and on the neat toggle
switches.
What sets the Hybrid4
apart from other models in the range is a mode controller integrated into the
centre console where you would usually find a cup-holder. Drivers will also
notice a rather futuristic looking gear shifter, steering column mounted
paddles and a % power gauge in place of the rev counter.
Everything is exactly
where you would expect to find it however there are a few niggling ergonomic flaws.
The centre armrest opens away from the driver, the graphics on the gearshift
surround are on the passenger side of the console out of the drivers sight as
is the HYbrid mode controller making it all too easy for the front seat
passenger to nudge.
At the heart of the HYbrid4
is Peugeot’s superb 1997cc 16v 163bhp common rail diesel engine mated to a
robotized 6 speed manual transmission. At the rear- mounted on the multi-link
rear axle from the 508- is a 37 bhp electric motor with up to 200Nm of torque
powering the rear wheels. What makes this setup unique is that both power
sources aren’t mechanically linked in any way. Also there is no need to plug
the HYbrid4 in to charge its Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. An energy recovery
system turns the electric motor into a generator during deceleration. Clever
stuff.
As with most hybrids
there are a series of driving modes to choose from via the control selector
mounted on the centre console. Most drivers will leave the car in Auto which
cleverly juggles between power sources for optimised fuel economy. ZEV (Zero
Emission Vehicle) mode is perfect for around town running on electric power alone
for around two miles with the batteries fully charged. There is also a Sport
mode where diesel and electric come
together producing 200bhp coupled with quicker gear changes for what Peugeot
calls "Dynamic Performance". Finally there is a 4WD mode for some mild
off-roading.
On paper the
technology on offer is deeply impressive but how good is it in everyday use?
The answer is not surprising; it drives very much like the conventional 3008
diesel. Admittedly when turning the ignition key the car generates no noise at
all as the diesel engine sits in standby mode. Move the gear selector from N to
A and gently push the accelerator and the car silently moves forward with
nothing more than a whir. It’s an eerie sensation but one that’s novelty never
wears off, just watch out for pedestrians who may not be aware of your
approach.
Once reaching over 30
mph the diesel engine seamlessly chips in and provides the needed thrust for
higher speeds. Stepping off the accelerator causes the % power needle fall to
“charge” helpfully charging the batteries ready for the next urban stint. At
first the increased rate of deceleration takes some getting used to but drivers
can feel smug that this usually wasted kinetic energy is being put to good use.
The HYbrid4 also slips back into zero emissions mode when slowing down.
The driving experience
is largely pleasant as the diesel engine and electric motor swap roles without
the driver noticing. Acceleration is brisk reaching 60mph in just 8.5 seconds
which is unheard-of in any previous hybrid. Unfortunately the gearbox blunts an
otherwise decent driving experience. As we have observed in other applications
in the Peugeot range gear changes are slow and ponderous. They are however
better than in non-hybrid models as the electric motor smooths out the changes
with a burst of thrust. Providing you don’t rush the gearbox it is satisfying
enough but if you are in a hurry be prepared for the diesel power plant to rev
wildly and the gearbox to get confused as to which gear to select making for a
very unnerving experience. To overcome the gearboxes shortfalls there is always
the option of using the wheel-mounted paddles which make smooth progress
easier, there is also the Sport setting which has a similar effect.
Comfort levels are
superb with supportive seats, decent passenger space and a supple, forgiving
ride that smooths out any surface in its path. Refinement is commendable when
the gearbox isnt strangling the engine. Wind and road noise are also noticeably
absent making the 3008 an ideal motorway companion. Luggage space isn’t far off
the standard 3008 despite the additional batteries behind the rear seats at 420
litres. There is also an additional 66 litres nestled under the boot floor.
Lead the car into a
corner and it rewards with good initial body control resisting roll helped by
the hefty batteries sat on the rear axle. Push it harder and the cars weight
shifts quickly causing excessive lean and it begins to loose composure as the
front tyres scrabble for traction. Feedback through the controls is lacking
especially the over assisted steering that feels vague at best which doesn’t
inspire confidence when threading the car through a series of bends. Despite
this the 3008 is relaxed and undemanding to drive which is very appealing.
Whilst with us we were
unable to get anywhere near the claimed 74mpg combined figure, we managed 64mpg
which is respectable during longer journeys. On shorter stints we averaged a
pretty poor 39mpg which probably wasn’t helped by our test cars mere 3000 miles
on the clock. Interestingly this figure is similar to the non-Hybrid 3008 HDi.
What will appeal to private and company car drivers alike is the tiny 99g/km
co2 figure that neatly places the 308 Hybrid4 into tax band A qualifying for free
road duty. Company car drivers are also rewarded with a very low 10% BIK
taxation cost.
Words and Photos by Rob McSorley
Technical Data
Price as tested: £28,900
Engine: 2.0
16v 163bhp (& 37bhp electric motor) - 0-62mph: 8.5 secs - Maximum Speed: 118mph
-
Economy: 72.4mpg
(urban) –76.3mpg (extra-urban), 74.3mpg (combined) - Emissions: 99g/km
(Band A) - VED (12 months): £0
Dimensions: Length:
4365mm - Width: 1837mm - Height: 1639mm - Wheelbase: 2613mm
*data from Peugeot UK
The Verdict 3/5
What the 3008 Hybrid4 represents
is more than an additional model to the 3008’s already vast line-up, it
represents a whole new chapter for Peugeot. The technology on offer is slowly
going to appear more –and-more in future Peugeot models due to its modular
design removing the need for any hard engineering to its parent car. To assess
the car correctly you have to consider the 3008 and the Hybrid powertrain
separately. The 3008 as a product is really rather good, its spacious,
comfortable, well-built and looks good. It may not drive as well as some rivals
due to its lack of involvement through the controls but it’s easy and relaxing
to drive. The Hybrid powertrain is also pretty convincing, the switch between
electric and diesel power is seamless, and the performance on offer is a breath
of fresh air. What lets the entire package down is the robotized manual gearbox
that seems oblivious to what the driver or engine are doing and is in a
constant state of confusion. Unfortunately it takes the shine off an otherwise
accomplished package. Economy whilst with us was another let-down which we are
yet to discover the reason why. Then there is the elephant in the room – that
price. We are not entirely convinced that the Hydrid4’s £6000 premium over the
standard diesel is justifiable – it will undoubtedly take many years to recoup
your extra expense. The best way to look at the Hybrid4 is a window into a long
line of future models, we are certain that the powertrain would work
particularly well with Peugeot’s smaller 1.6 HDi engine mated to their
automatic gearbox, whether this will ever materialize we will have to wait and
see.
You
will like;
Smart, well-built
cabin
Low emissions
Comfort
Performance
You
won’t like
Confused gearbox
High price
Questionable economy
Poor on-the-limit
handling
Special Thanks to; Peugeot Motor Company PLC, Pinley House, 2 Sunbeam Way, Coventry CV3 1ND
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