Next-gen Peugeot 308 for NZ in early 2022

Advanced cabin tech, a stronger look and the option of hybrid power.

THE first to wear Peugeot’s new logo – and pretty much everything behind that fresh ‘coat of arms’ moniker is fresh, as well. 

So it goes for the next-generation 308 hatchback, revealed internationally today and set to land in early 2022, a timing that might well synch neatly with the distributor opening a smart new flagship dealership. 

The latest car won‘t seem like a wholly new start, in that it carries over much of the silhouette of the outgoing model - the same chunky, snub-nose and retaining a deep c-pillar; however the detailing is very different.

Still, the aerodynamic efficiency has improved, cutting drag to 0.28Cd, body stiffness has been boosted by using aircraft-style adhesive in key areas and the chassis, though a variation of the current car’s EMP2 platform, has been significantly upgraded. The wheelbase is 55mm longer, which should free up more rear seat space, and total length has gone up by 110mm. The car also sits 20mm lower to the road.  

The 308 launches with three versions of the familiar 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, in 82kW and 97kW forms, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but will also deliver in electrified versions too - a pair of plug-in hybrids, using the 1.6-litre turbo PureTech four-cylinder petrol engine, combined with an 81kW electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery.

The powerhouse version of that line makes 168kW, with CO2 emissions of 26 grams per kilometre, and an electric range of 59km. Peugeot also does a 132kW version, with CO2 emissions of 25g/km and an electric range of 60km.

There’s talk a high-performance 308 Peugeot Sport Engineered will come along in due course, powered by a 220kW, all-wheel-drive version of the PHEV system.

PHEV versions have an optional 7.4kW charging system which will allow them to be fully charged in one hour and 50 minutes (or just under four hours with the standard 3.7kW charging system).

In Europe Peugeot will offer PHEV buyers membership of the Peugeot Easy-Charge system which will include access to 220,000 public charging points. The PHEV 308s' batteries will be warrantied for eight years or 160,000km.

 A new Drive Assist 2.0 pack includes adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function – just with the auto, but it’s very likely that will be the sole transmission choice here - and a lane keeping aid. There's also a new function, which suggests the best moments to change lanes to overtake slower moving traffic. A system that adjusts the cruise control speed if a corner is coming up also debuts.

High-set instruments and a small, low-set wheel … yup, that i-Cockpit seems set to stay. Upmarket editions have a fully-digital '3D' ten-inch screen for the instrument panel, while the central touchscreen is also 10 inches across. This now comes with two separate control areas, aside from the main screen, one showing a panel of "fully configurable virtual i-toggles" - a series of touchscreen buttons of which you can decide the layout and functions.  

Wireless phone connectivity for Apple CarPlay and screen mirroring is standard. A 10-speaker Focal sound system, eight-colour ambient LED lighting, and a selection of USB ports also feature. There's over-the-air software updates and also a 'Hello, Peugeot' digital voice assistant.

Front seat occupants achieve 10-way power-adjustable massaging chairs, trimmed in Alcantara and leather with contrast stitching. There's also a new air filtration system, which prevents airborne pollutants from entering the cabin.

The auto’s gear selector is a toggle-type and there’s a button for selecting Electric, Hybrid, Eco, Normal and Sport modes, depending upon which engine you've chosen.

Four hundred and 12 litres of boot space is availed with the rear seats up, an eight litre reduction on the current car, expanding to 1323 litres with the second row folded. An additional 34 litres of storage space can be utilised through small compartments spread around the cabin

Styling-wise, the 308 gets the deep, concave grille, slim headlights, and 'fang' LED daytime running lights from the recently-facelifted 3008 and 5008 crossovers. At the back, it has slim-fit brake lights with a connecting light bar running across the boot lid. The new badge, set into the centre of the grille, is designed so that the radar unit for the active cruise control can now sit behind it.

The new model’s entry could coincide with the opening of a three-storey Peugeot Citroen supersite the Armstrong motor group will build in Greenlane, Auckland. It will also be one of the first premises in the world to feature the new Peugeot brand identity.

Armstrong’s managing director Rick Armstrong, whose Autodistributors’ NZ holds national distribution rights to PSA brands, says the building is a sign of the group’s commitment to the Peugeot and Citroen marques and is an indicator of what it believes is the huge future growth opportunity for the two brands.

E-Rifter a potential but not a priority

Peugeot’s new seven seater passenger van on local distributor’s watch list.

AN electric passenger version of a Peugeot van just unveiled for the United Kingdom is not being discounted by the New Zealand distributor, but right now it has a lower priority than product already signed up.

Arek Zywot, commercial manager for Peugeot rights holder AutodistributorsNZ, says the e-Rifter, which can carry up to seven passengers over 273 kilometres on battery power, is certainly of interest, though it still needs to be convinced it would achieve requisite public support.

On top of this, there’s also a commitment to stay true to a Peugeot electric vehicle release strategy that first of all prioritises pure passenger models and then shifts attention to full scale commercials which rely in battery impetus.

That rollout is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year with arrival of the e-2008, a version of the make’s popular compact sports utility with a 50kWh battery feeding an electric motor creating its 101kW and maximum possible 300Nm of torque, that will sit with the three 1.2-litre petrol derivatives already here. Price and specification has yet to be announced.

 Ultimately, Autodistributors NZ will then look to the commercial vehicles options, potentially including the Partner van from which e-Rifter derives, Zywot has explained. So, anything with e-Rifter would be left until those programmes were established.

That’s not saying the model isn’t being ignored.

“We never say no to a product like that, however at this stage we are not considering it in the foreseeable future.”

Whether the derivative would even be available to NZ at the moment has not been explored, but he reminded that at the moment Peugeot is prioritising its EV production to sustain demand in Europe, where brands have ramped up electric effort in order to offset the impact of the now-enacted tough European Union CO2 mandate. Brands whose fleet average exceeds the EU’s 95 grams per kilometre target face stiff fines.

“At the moment Europe is trying to meet the emissions target, and that takes priority.”

On top of this, there’s still a degree of concern that actual NZ uptake for a vehicle of this type would not be strong enough to warrant having it here.

“Demand in NZ right now doesn’t show there is a big interest for vehicles like that at this stage.” That might change, of course. “Once the market proves there is a demand then we would definitely look at it.” 

Even though e-Rifter potentially positions as primarily for private owner interest, being van-based it still rates as commercial vehicle and on that side “we are more focused at the moment on the commercial variants than those in a passenger configuration.”

Based the EMP2 platform developed by PSA, which is now a partner in the new Stellantis family, the e-Rifter runs with three driving modes - ‘eco’, ‘normal’ and ‘power’. Each mode changes the amount of battery power available, switching between performance and maximising range. 

As standard, the e-Rifter is fitted with 7.4kW single-phase charging compatibility, with an optional 11kW on-board charger offered too. At home, from a 7.4kW wallbox, a recharge will take 7.5 hours and can be managed by a charging app, allowing owners to schedule recharges for off-peak hours. At the roadside, 100kW DC charging is supported, meaning that a 0-80 percent charge can be completed in 30 minutes. 

Inside, an eight-inch central touchscreen and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit infotainment system come as standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.  

There’s a choice of ‘Standard’ or ‘Long’ variants, changing the length of the e-Rifter between 4.4 metres and 4.75m. Both offer five and seven-seat options and boot space ranges from 775 litres to 4000 litres. Unbraked towing capacity stands at a quoted 750kg. 

Power-packed Pug set for NZ?

Peugeot’s new hotshot hero might find a home here.

 ‘PERFORMANCE-tuned sleek Euro with electrifying edge’ – a descriptive ticking these many boxes is bound to win a lot of attention.

So good news is that the rights holder to Peugeot in New Zealand is striving to get the latest hot ticket item from France out here.

In comment relating to the announcement of the 508 PSE, Auto Distributors’ NZ commercial manager Arek Zywot says: “ADNZ is working closely with PSA to bring the 508 PSE to NZ, more details yet to be announced at the beginning of next year.”

 A car that broke cover at the weekend is a special treat by Peugeot to itself, developed to mark the launch of the make’s new Sport Engineered division.

In staying wholly in tune with these changing times, PSA’s premier player has ignored slotting in a petrol-hungry V6, the choice it might have taken a few years back, and instead gone for a performance plug-in hybrid set-up.

 The powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor mounted on each axle. The system generates a combined output of 263kW and 520Nm of torque – making it the most powerful powertrain Peugeot has ever fitted to a production vehicle.

Peugeot says the car will dispatch the 0–100kmh sprint in 5.2 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250km. Thanks to the instant torque from the electric motors, the car’s claimed in-gear acceleration is spectacular. For instance, it’ll nail 80kmh to 120kmh in three seconds flat. Hold onto those berets, right!

The 508 PHEV’s 11.5kWh battery pack provides a maximum pure-electric range of 42km, while recharging from a domestic wallbox charger will top up the battery in less than two hours. What’s more, with a full charge, the powertrain will deliver a claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of 59 km per litre and generate just 46g/km of CO2.

To support the extra power, Peugeot has fitted the 508 with quite a number of chassis tweaks, including new adjustable dampers, a widened track and larger diameter front brakes with fixed four-piston calipers. It has 20-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

There’s some restyling, too, with an aggressive front bumper, a gloss black rear diffuser, a new radiator grille and twin exhausts. Naturally, it achieves “Sport Engineered” badges and there are three unique paint finishes.

The interior makeover includes sports seats clad in Alcantara and leather upholstery and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment system have Sport Engineered displays.

Electric 3008, new 5008 coming

Peugeot’s cementing its status in the SUV sector.

the 5008 is releasing as a larger option to the 3008, which has been Peugeot’s most popular model here and is also arriving early next year in updated form, including with a PHEV drivetrain.

GOING bigger in the strongest part of the new car market is the gameplan in 2021 for Peugeot in this market – in addition to adding an electric edge to its most popular model it’s also entering the large sports utility sector.

Announcement of the seven-seater 5008 medium-large soft roader joining the local lineup, conceivably as a Skoda Kodiaq rival, follows confirmation that an update to the mid-sized and similarly styled 3008 five-seat crossover will span into another new area – electric driving.

The plug-in hybrid version of the 3008 – whose full name is a mouthful, being ‘AWD Hybrid4 300 e-Eat8’ - will stand as the first battery-compelled Peugeot sold here.

The electric-assisted 3008 will likely introduce around the same time – so, early 2021 – as the 5008, whose two orthodox turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel, might conceivably feature in other 3008 models.

No exact specifications or pricing has been announced for the cars. That won’t happen until closer to launch, says the brand rights’ holder, Auckland-based Auto Distributors New Zealand. 

Chief executive Chris Brown has expressed high confidence for both model lines, which despite being in different sectors as result of size difference are nonetheless closely related, being off a common platform and sharing the same drivetrains.

He views the 5008 as being “the perfect solution for families who desire unparalleled levels of comfort, style and refinement” while the 3008 should offer enough revised technology to maintain “as the most popular model in our line-up.”

The PHEV model augments the current edition’s 1.6 petrol with an electric motor and battery to produce a total output of 224kW and 520Nm. The electric drive configures to the rear wheels, so as to create a four-wheel-drive effect for a car that formats in front-drive in other editions. 

The driving range on electric-only power is almost 60km, according to testing on the independent WLTP cycle.

The 3008 also presents with a 2.0-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol whose respective outputs of 133kW and 400Nm and 121kW/240Nm are as developed in current editions and also appear to be cited for the 5008 models, also with an eight-speed automatic. 

The refreshed 3008 is identified by a big update to the grille and LED lights and also delivers interior upgrades. 

The cabin takes a 12.3-inch digital drive display and also a larger 10-inch infotainment display system to refresh the i-Cockpit cabin theme. Expect new trim options and material finishes, too. 

The 5008 will intrigue as being very much a big brother in size and specification … and styling. From the back of the back of the driver’s door forwards it and the 3008 are effectively the same car. 

The model designation has never been represented previously, though it has been around for some years and used to apply to a large people mover.

Peugeot retired that car when MPVs fell out of fashion but re-issued the badge on identifying – as many others have – how large SUVs were being adopted in the same role.

High confidence with Expert

Another European van is about to arrive. Or, more accurately, return.

 

DETERMINATION to deliver a driving feel and cabin ambience that would be familiar and comfortable for its car customers while also tailoring to meet best expectations of the commercial sector has been prioritised with the new version of a French van making a second go of the local market.

Arek Zywot, commercial manager for Auto Distributors, the national franchise holder for Peugeot, says the formats for the Expert van chosen for this market are reflective of extensive work by his office and the brand’s distributor in Australia, where identical models will be adopted. 

Thus, a wider choice of body styles, engines, drivetrains and trim and specification levels for a model that builds with a single roof height in all formats has been refined.

This market will to just two wheelbases – 4950mm for what’s being called the $54,990 ‘medium’ here (and is known as the ‘standard’ in Europe), and 5300mm for the $4000-dearer ‘long’ (these respectively provisioning 2510mm and 2860mm load lengths) – with a common 2.0-litre turbodiesel creating 110kW and 370Nm married to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

These adopt a safety pack that encompasses all increasingly commonplace features and assists, but disregards some advanced aides that operators in Europe and the United Kingdom enjoy.

The NZ market trim takes smart headlamps, driver and passenger front side airbags, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automated emergency braking and a distance alert system, but has a more simplified rear parking assist than can be provisioned in Europe and comes without the head-up display, lane departure warning, speed limit recognition and full driver monitoring meted in its home market. 

Nonetheless, Zywot is confident his brand has created a stronger foil for the new Renault Trafic, Ford Transit and others than the previous Expert, which was dropped three years ago having struggled to imprint in this challenging sector.

“We looked at all the options … we didn’t strike for an entry level price point or model. We just went for what we believe this market wants, so we delivered the van with those specifications.

“We wanted to focus on as passenger car-like equipment level; with a focus on safety and comfort. We’re bringing an upper-level feel to the van world.

“If you drove one of our passenger cars and jumped into our van, and got the same feeling of comfort and safety, then we have achieved what we are aiming for.” 

That’s why the 110kW engine was chosen over other like-capacity formats, one making 89kW and the other 129kW. Auto Distributors’ research had identified that the 110kW unit was within a space most enjoyed by the market.

“When you look at ours against the Trafic or the VW Transporter, we are in the ballpark with the same or more kiloWatts and it delivers us the right torque to give us a good payload.”

About that. A particular plus point that the distributor will enforce is that it’s 1300kg payload is a best-in-class while it’s also being one of two choices in the market that can tow more than two tonnes braked.

These feats might seem all the impressive given that the Expert is an interesting blend in respect to its engineering, this generation having become a merging of the previous model’s rear portion with a front based on the EMP2 platform that Peugeot and Citroën use for their cars.

The vans also seem set to match the fully passenger fare in fuel consumption, which is claimed to be 6.3 litres per 100km in optimal condition, with CO2 emissions of 165 grams per 100km.

The model’s re-entry being an Australasian effort made it easier for to go for a blended spec than simply adopt the models that go into the vehicle’s right-hand drive market, the United Kingdom, where there two standard trim levels, S and Professional, plus Grip and Asphalt versions that are a bit more specialised.

Also influential was recognition that the smallest variant, called the Compact overseas, was potentially too size-compromised for this market. 

Accordingly, that 4600mm long option has been ignored for the Medium and Large, whose load volumes are 5.8 and 6.6 cubic metres respectively in orthodox form, though an optional Moduwork’ package delivers ability to transport longer items such as lengths of wood via a through-loading hatch located under the passenger seat.  This increases maximum load length capability by 1162mm. Both models have with an overall height of 1940mm and a useable internal load height of 1397mm. 

Twin sliding doors are standard and it has dual barn-style rear doors, capable of opening to 180-degrees. In Europe there’s a hands-free entry feature that lets you wave your foot underneath the rear bumper to open the side door.

Expert might yet range into carrying passengers as well as packages. The minibus configuration with three rows of seats and space for nine passengers has not been discounted, though immediate introduction doesn’t make sense with the tourism market have been destroyed by Coivid-19, Zywot suggests.

As is, consideration for occupant comfort compelled delivering the vehicle with a bulkhead behind the seats, creating a completely sealed cabin environment, which enables a more car-like experience, Zywot says, and improves the effect of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning functions. He believes the audio coming with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality will also be popular.

A diversity of accessories will avail.  Items include a wooden floor, wall panel and wheel arch box inserts, as well as a rubber mat for added grip and protection in the cargo area. Another option includes a fold-down writing table in the central seat-back, as well as a storage squab under the central passenger seat.

The styling can be given a bit of a fizz up with an optional ‘Look Pack,’ which delivers body colour front and rear bumpers, side rubbing strips and exterior door handles.  Larger 17-inch alloy wheels are also included, as are LED daytime running lights.

Flagship Peugeot SUV set for NZ

The 5008 is the latest number from Peugeot. It will be here by mid next year.

IN brand-speak, it is “the first SUV to offer modularity on a par with that of the best people carriers”.

Translation: The 5008 is a sizeable Peugeot seven-seater crossover with slight off-roading pretension, similar is size to the Kia Sorento, Hyundai’ s Santa Fe, the Mazda CX-9 and Renault’s just launched second-generation Koleos.

Meaning? It’s a familiar fare for Kiwis, and potentially a winning formula for the French marque’s distributor, given that SUVS – particularly of this size – are capturing significant sales at the moment.

Peugeot New Zealand has confirmed the model is being considered for local launch around April 2017, making it the second SUV it will release next year following the next size-down 3008.

The local market announcement was made yesterday, to time with the international release of images of the model, which has its full reveal at the Paris International Motor Show later this month.

The 3008 and 5008 models are incredibly important to Peugeot here; it is virtually set to reinvent as a SUV specialist, having felt the bite of diminished interest in orthodox passenger cars.

While the 208 and 308 hatchbacks are hanging on, it dropped the 508 large sedan at the start of the year. The last SUV of this type offered by Peugeot was the 4007, a derivation of the previous Mitsubishi Outlander (built in Japan) that sat in the medium sector.

Simon Rose, the divisional manager of Peugeot New Zealand, believes the 5008, as the first truly big SUV Peugeot has offered here, will be a key model.

“The all-new 5008 will be perfectly suited for the New Zealand market, offering the flexibility, power, space and lifestyle appeal Kiwi families really want.

“It will change the market offering for us in New Zealand by appealing to an entirely new range of conquest customers.”

This is the second generation of 5008 but also a fresh start, as the previous car was a people carrier.

With MPVs no longer in vogue, Peugeot has re-written the formula ; the end result being a car that is radical departure from its forebear insofar as exterior styling is concerned – now it is very much a sister ship to the 3008 – but still maintaining MPV-ish flexbility within.

It’s not a wholly new idea ; Mazda having gone down much the same track with the new and just-landed CX-9.

Full 5008 details have yet to be revealed, but the brand’s images show it has the same sort of dahsboard as the 3008, with all the latest i-Cockpit design features of a compact steering wheel, eight-inch central touchscreen and a larger digital instrument cluster.

Rose says final local market specifications have yet to be finalised. Ambient lighting, massage seats and in-car fragrances, LED headlamps, wireless smartphone charging and a panoramic glass roof are among features notified in France.

A suite of active safety features also apply. These include Advanced Grip Control with Hill Assist Descent Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Distance Alert, Active Lane Keeping Assistance, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Beam Assistance, Speed Sign Recognition and Speed Suggestion, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop feature (automatic variants only), Active Blind Spot Monitoring, Park Assist, and Visio Park which provides 360-degree vision.

Model variants span Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and sportier GT trims.

The three separated and foldable second-row seats have length and inclination adjustment, while the two seats in the third row are also separate, foldable and even removable. Peugeot claims a boot capacity of 1060 litres; the largest in its class according to the make. 

In Europe, engine choices span four petrol and six diesel powertrains; of these a 123kW turbo-diesel unit and a 134kW petrol engine seemed best positioned for launch here.

The 5008 is based, like the 3008, on the EMP2 platform that was also the basis of the large Citroen Picasso and Grand Picasso MPVs that have also been pulled from local sale after failing to pull interest.

However, it now seems the double chevron brand is set to apply the same rebirth process meted the 5008, with a new SUV - codenamed C84 – to be built alongside the Peugeot and a another Citroen also on this platform, the E-Mehari, at a plant in western France.

It is said the C84 will be based on the Aircross concept seen at the 2015 Shanghai motor show.

The production C84 is expected to replace the low volume C4 Aircross, which is a rebadged Mitsubishi ASX.