Peugeot has unveiled the first-ever production diesel electric hybrid, the much talked about 3008 Hybrid4. It combines a 2.0-litre 221kW HDi diesel engine with stop-start that drives the front wheels with a 27kW electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The powertrains gives the 3008 hybrid headline figures of 3.16-ltres/100km, and 99g/km, which Peugeot claims equates to a 30% reduction in fuel consumption over a petrol-electric hybrid. A maximum 500Nm of torque is available, split between 300Nm from the HDi diesel engine and 200Nm from the electric motor.
The 3008 Hybrid4 has different modes that include Auto, Sport, a four-wheel-drive mode and an all-electric mode called ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) mode. The Auto mode is designed to optimise fuel consumption and the ZEV mode is similar to the EV mode seen on the Toyota Prius, where the diesel engine is only used for short spurts of acceleration. Sport mode speeds up the gearshifts from the electronically controlled six-speed sequential manual gearbox. The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are located under the boot floor, near the electric motor and the link between the front and rear drivetrains is controlled electronically rather than mechanically. The styling of the 3008 Hybrid4 is subtly different from the standard car. The rear spoiler has been given a two-tone finish with a high-gloss black section, and there is a bar of LEDs in the headlamps providing a daytime lighting. Inside there is a seven-inch colour display, which provides information on the flow of energy between the two powertrains and the wheels.
There is no indication yet whether the 3008 Hybrid4 will reach SA.
- Christo Valentyn
