“More coupe SUV, more electric, but always made in Sochaux”: this could be the launch slogan of the new Peugeot 3008, presented this Tuesday, September 12.
A worthy successor to the best-selling second generation?
A presentation organized in the industrial bastion of the lion brand, from the Mattern Lab, a training center and laboratory integrated into this imposing location in Franche-Comté. A first in the history of Peugeot and a way to highlight the important efforts made to modernize the site in recent years. In fact, significant investments have been made to turn it into a reference factory for the Stellantis group in Europe. Enough to ensure the production of this third generation of the SUV, especially expected after the phenomenal success of the current 3008, which will soon hand over to its successor.
Produced in more than 1.3 million examples, the second generation of the SUV will continue to be one of the most outstanding models in Peugeot’s history. A completely modernized silhouette compared to the first 3008 and that has attracted European buyers since 2016, more specifically in France, where it has risen to a sales podium usually monopolized by small models, in particular the Clio-208-C3 trio.
A cutting format to follow the trend
As expected, after the photographs revealed before the event, this new 3008 goes to the SUV coupe format. Enough to respond to its main competitor in France, Renault, with its Arkana and, especially, the Rafale, recently presented by the diamond brand and which will also soon arrive at dealerships.
The 3008 is, therefore, Peugeot’s first coupe SUV; The latest 408 adopts an original bodywork, inspired by both crossover and family style, but maintaining a fairly low height, like a saloon. Also noteworthy is that this new 3008 is 10 centimeters longer than the previous generation, standing at 4.54 meters.
This coupe SUV format reflects Peugeot’s recent commitment to the upper segment, which is also reflected in the interior, in terms of the choice of materials, the quality of the finishes and the technologies on board.
We thus discover a new version of its i-cockpit, its modern driving position with a new configuration that presents a large curved panel in front of the driver, with driving information behind the steering wheel and the infotainment part in the center.
Increased power in electricity.
This Peugeot 3008 also inaugurates the Stellantis platform optimized for electricity: an essential technical basis to be competitive, particularly against Tesla and Chinese manufacturers.
This new platform is called “STLA Medium”, translation, the platform for medium-sized vehicles and will be followed by a “STLA Small”, a “STLA Large” and a “STLA Frame”, as announced by Carlos Tavares in 2021. .
Ultimately, these platforms should allow the group’s 14 brands (Fiat, Opel, Citroën, DS, Jeep, etc.) to completely convert their range to “zero emissions”. In Europe, Stellantis plans to market 100% electric vehicles only from 2030, that is, 5 years before the ban on thermal sales.
Up to 700 kilometers of autonomy
Among the advances expected in this new generation of vehicles: autonomy. Reach 700 kilometers with this new e-3008 in its most durable configuration that combines a 98 kWh battery with a 230 horsepower motor. This is a clear improvement over an e-2008 launched in 2020: it only offers 320 kilometers of autonomy and has difficulty attracting buyers.
Two other versions of the e-3008 will be offered with a smaller battery, 73 kWh, with 525 km of autonomy, in two-wheel drive (210 HP) and in four-wheel drive (320 HP).
A strategy that is reminiscent of Renault with its latest Scénic, which has also become 100% electric and offers two battery sizes.
Peugeot more discreet in the thermal versions
Little surprise at this launch event: Peugeot has remained quite discreet about the alternatives to this e-3008. It is also a way to focus attention on this unique engine in this format in Peugeot.
“The range is completed with two electrified engines (hybrid and rechargeable hybrid) that will be available depending on the market,” says the brand in its statement, also mentioning “an engine dedicated to international markets”, a priori a gasoline engine for countries outside Europe where Peugeot is present.
At what price?
Another big unknown: the price of this new 3008. A point that will necessarily be watched with special attention, especially in the face of numerous competitors.
If the Renault Rafale will only be offered as a simple and plug-in hybrid, we can mention the Tesla Model Y, the BMW iX1 and the Mercedes EQA as direct rivals. But also the next vehicle based on the STLA Medium platform, the Opel Grandland, future cousin of this new 3008.
The challenge for Peugeot will be to offer at least one version below 47,000 euros, in the event that this continues to be the ceiling of the ecological bonus next year, at the time of marketing of this new e-3008 scheduled for February 2024.
Like Renault with the Mégane, the Scénic and the future R5, Peugeot will also be able to play the “made in France” card to justify a higher price than that of some competitors. In total, five models will be assembled in France by the end of 2024, with the 308, 308 SW and 408 in Mulhouse, and this 3008, in addition to the future 5008, in Sochaux.
Source: BFM TV
