After losing its MPV body in favor of a more crossover-ish design, the latest generation Peugeot 3008 has filled the PSA Group with optimism.
In fact, the compact model is seen so revolutionary that the Group’s Europ chief, Maxime Picat, told Automobilwoche, during the 2016 Paris Auto Show, that he believes the new 3008 is actually better than the BMW X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan, as AutoNews reports.
Picat’s statement is backed up by the PSA CEO, Carlos Tavares, who shared his thoughts from when he saw the first prototypes: “Visually, it has very strong character. It is a Peugeot model, but it avoids any ostentation.“
Despite the French car company keeps calling the 3008 a ‘proper’ SUV, the vehicle lacks an all-wheel drive, but is fitted with an electronic system meant to increase traction on slippery surfaces, called Advanced Grip Control.
However, the automaker won’t leave it like this, as an AWD variant is planned for 2019, coupled with the Group’s petrol-hybrid powertrain, which uses an electric motor to set the rear wheels in motion, and an internal combustion unit that powers the front wheels, in a similar arrangement to the current 3008 diesel hybrid.
On its local market, France, the new Peugeot 3008 carries a starting price of €25,900 ($28,577), for the model powered by a 1.2-liter petrol mill, while the range-topping GT, which uses a 180 PS, 2.0-liter diesel, can be had from €41,600 ($45,900).
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