Peugeot Australia has launched plug-in hybrid variants of its 3008 SUV and 508 Fastback models.

Priced from $79,990 (excluding delivery and other charges) the 3008 GT Sport Plug-In Hybrid AWD offers 60km (WLTP) of electric driving range thanks to its 13.2kWh battery capacity. Dual electric motors supply 81kW of power up front and 83kW at the rear. Combined with the 147kW, 1.6-litre PureTech engine, 222kW/520Nm of power is achieved.

As well as being the first electrified variant of the 3008 SUV model range, the 3008 GT Sport Plug-In Hybrid AWD is the first variant introduced in all-wheel-drive to the Australian market.

At $76,990 (excluding delivery and other charges), the front-wheel-drive 508 GT Fastback Plug-In Hybrid offers 165kW/360Nm of power through the combination of a 133kW, 1.6-litre PureTech engine and an 81kW electric motor. It has 11.8kWh battery capacity and can deliver up to 55km of electric driving range.

Both the 3008 and 508 hybrids use an 8-speed e-EAT8 automatic gearbox to incorporate the electric drive train. To alternate between electric and combustion engines, the torque converter of the combustion engine 3008 and 508 variants is replaced by a wet multi-plate clutch.

Both models use regenerative braking and a feature called e-SAVE enables real-time control over electric energy reserves. Both also have a 3.7kW charger and each comes with a mode two charging cable enabling charging from a 240V socket.

While charging time depends on variables such as ambient temperature, Peugeot says that charging the 508 GT Fastback’s battery from 0-100 per cent can take five hours via the 2.3kW mode two cable. Charging the 13.2kWh battery of the 3008 GT Sport to 100 per cent will take half-an-hour longer.

Peugeot makes attractive cars, and both the 3008 and 508 are certainly that. They both come with plenty of luxury-style trim and comfort features too, as well as a stack of infotainment and safety features.

In the 3008’s very smart interior, there’s a customisable and configurable 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument panel, and a 10-inch central touchscreen, and features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorScreen, two rear seat USB sockets, and a FOCAL premium audio system.

Safety and driver assistance systems include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go, Lane Positioning Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear View Camera, 360-degree front and rear cameras, Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Warning Alert, Speed Sign Recognition and Recommendation, and Active Blind Spot Monitoring.

The cabin for the 508 GT Fastback gets the same classy treatment as the 3008, with a configurable 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument panel, and a 10-inch central touchscreen. There’s the connectivity too, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorScreen, two rear seat USB sockets, and a FOCAL premium audio system.

Safety and driver assistance systems are equally comprehensive in the 508 GT Fastback as the 3008, and include Adaptive Cruise Control with stop function, Rear View Camera, Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Active Lane Keeping Assistance, Driver Warning Alert, Speed Sign Recognition and Recommendation, and Active Blind Spot Detection.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (March 2022) 

15 March 2022