Peugeot introduces diesel hybrid
3008 crossover is first car on the market to combine efficiencies of turbodiesel and electric powerIt has been flagged by Peugeot for a long time, but the French company has finally introduced the world's first diesel hybrid.
In pure electric drive, the Peugeot is said to have a range of around 4.5km, and Australia is expected to see the 3008 Hybrid4 in January 2012.
Slotted into its 3008 crossover, the oil-fuelled hybrid comes with not just impressive economy/emissions figures, but also astounds with its torque: Based on a 2.0-litre turbodiesel driving just the front wheels, and a rear-mounted electric motor fed by a nickel metal hydride battery powering the back wheels to deliver all-wheel drive, the 3008 Hybrid4's powertrain boasts a hefty combined torque output of 500Nm. That's more torque than the Audi A8's petrol V8.
Total power output is 200kW: The turbodiesel engine produces 122kW, while the rear engine is rated at a continuous 20kW, with a 28kW maximum.
Peugeot says the 3008 Hybrid4, with the aid of a six-speed automated manual transmission, will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 209km/h.
CO2 emissions are quoted at a touch below 100g/km (99g/km to be precise), while claimed average fuel economy is 3.8L/100km. Efficiency is aided by Peugeot's second generation Stop & Start system that stops the diesel engine when the vehicle is stationary.
Peugeot could undoubtedly reduce fuel economy and exhaust emissions further by adopting a smaller engine for the Hybrid4 – for example the 82kW/270Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel used in the 207 - but not too many people are going to sneeze at the combination of performance and economy available in the present configuration.
The 3008 Hybrid4 is able to run in front-drive, rear-drive and all-wheel drive mode and the driver is able to select any of four different operating modes that vary the way the vehicle operates – from all-wheel drive, to maximum economy, to maximum performance. An auto setting instructs the vehicle to decide for itself the best possible operating mode.
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