Peugeot HYbrid4 and EHDi models to arrive in Oz soon

As Peugeot celebrates its 200th anniversary as an industrial entity, the firm's Australian head of operations, Ken Thomas, has told the Carsales Network of a few developments we can add to the "coming soon" list, all of which are expected to hit local showrooms within the next 12 months.

Joining Peugeot at the launch of its new 3008 SUV (see separate story), Thomas was delighted to tell how strong ties between Peugeot's local headquarters and home base in France have seen Australia fast-tracked for no fewer than three new models, including the stunning Peugeot RCZ .

Slated to appear in local showrooms from October, the RCZ will enter the Australian market at a touch under $60K (read $59,990 or thereabouts), and will be offered with a choice of three powerplants, all of which are Euro V compliant.

The unique, teardrop shaped sports coupe with its carbon fibre roof and double-bubble rear glass will feature a 147kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the same unit currently found in several existing vehicles in the 2010 Peugeot range, mated to a six-speed manual transmission; 115kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission; and a 120kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel offering with will also be mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Full specification and pricing information will be revealed at the local media launch in September, though expect at least two trim levels, an impressive range of customisable accessories and a small number of option packages.

As recently pictured in our spy photos, the new Peugeot 508 (sic) will also be unveiled next year, but in Australia at least, will not hit the roads until mid-2011. Code-named W2, the large luxury sedan will sit between the current 407 and 607 models, essentially replacing both. Thomas explained that final tech/spec and engine line-up (and indeed the final badge name) had not yet been finalised for the 508, but we can expect at least one diesel and one petrol offering when the model hits local showrooms.

Finally, and perhaps best highlighting the French manufacturer's future direction, Peugeot will unveil its iOn all-electric vehicle later this year with production scheduled to commence in October. Demand for the vehicle, a collaborative effort between Peugeot PSA and Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, is already exceeding forecast production levels in Europe where the model is expected to sell very well, assisted by government tax incentives.

These measures, which keep the price to consumers within an affordable range, may be the only stumbling block Peugeot faces in getting the car Down Under sooner rather than later. Peugeot is already in talks with the Federal Government on how best to strategise an incentives program that will see the iOn's pricing fall within a range where it will become a realistic option for environmental-savvy consumers. As for when we'll get a concrete answer on availability is, according to Thomas, "difficult to say".

Following on from the newly released 3008 (stay tuned for a full report shortly), its entire engine line-up already Euro V compliant, will be two more 'green' models, expected within the next year.

Firstly, the EHDi, Peugeot's own version of stop/start technology, will appear in the 3008 range from early next year. The technology is also expected to appear in a few other models soon, namely the 308 and new 508 as mentioned earlier.

Lastly, the 3008 will also gain HYbrid4 technology by January 2012, the SUV's front-wheel drive only configuration allowing the system to perfectly slot in to the rear end, driving the rear wheels for all-wheel drive traction. The system will deliver CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

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