Peugeot 3008 focuses on electric drivetrain choices

SOCHAUX, France -- Peugeot is going all in on electrification with the new 3008 compact SUV, offering three different EV powertrains with a range of up to 700 km (435 miles).

The 3008, a key launch for Peugeot, will go on sale in February 2024, with production at Stellantis’s factory in Sochaux, eastern France. Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson revealed the 3008 on Tuesday at an event at the plant, which is the historic home of the Peugeot family business starting in the mid-19th century.

In a sign of the 3008’s importance, not only to Stellantis but to the country as a whole, President Emmanuel Macron announced that it would be built in Sochaux in May 2020, as part of an 8 billion-euro package of aid to the auto industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 3008 has been a star for Peugeot since it was relaunched as an SUV in 2016, having previously been a compact minivan in the brand’s lineup. The automaker has sold more than 1.32 million since launch, or an average of more than 150,000 a year.

While Stellantis is focusing attention on the e-3008, as the full-electric version is known, it will also be available as a plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid, depending on demand in the various markets. The group followed a similar strategy for the new Jeep Avenger small SUV.

Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson said Tuesday at the Sochaux factory that more than 50 percent of 3008 sales in Europe will be full-electric.

The e-3008 is the first vehicle on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, one of four new architectures that the group is deploying to help it reach its global goal of 50 percent full-electric sales by 2030. Its European brands, including Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Maserati, Opel and Peugeot, will sell only full-electric vehicles by then, CEO Carlos Tavares has said.

Initially, the 3008's battery will be supplied by FinDreams, a unit of China's BYD, until a gigafactory run by ACC -- owned by Stellantis, TotalEnergies and Mercedes -- goes into production, a Peugeot spokesperson told Reuters.

The new 3008, at 4540 mm long, is nearly 100 mm longer than the current generation. Despite its fastback styling, Peugeot says the trunk volume, at 520 liters, is identical to the existing model with a front-wheel-drive configuration, while trunk space in the four-wheel-drive model is even larger, at 470 liters, up from 395 liters now. 

The full-electric powertrains on offer include a front-wheel-drive version, with a single electric motor with an output of 157 kilowatts (210 hp) and range of 525 km; a long-range, front-wheel-drive option, with a 170 kW (230 hp) motor and a 700 km range; and a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive variant with a total of 240 kW (320 hp) and a range of 525 km.

In comparison, a key new competitor, the Renault Scenic E-Tech, has a range of up to 620 km.

S&P Global is forecasting average annual production of 140,000 units, below the current generation. The lower figure is due to competition from internal Stellantis models (Jeep Compass, Peugeot 408) and external (Tesla Model Y). About 35 percent of global sales (the 3008 will be available in 130 countries) are expected to be full-electric, with 45 percent 48-volt mild hybrid and 20 percent plug-in hybrid, S&P said.

While the compact SUV segment is Europe’s second largest, after small SUVs, there are few full-electric models in it. In addition to the Scenic E-Tech, which was launched last week at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, other entrants include the Nissan Ariya, MG Marvel R, BYD Atto 3 and Mazda MX-30.

A number of full-electric models, such as the Volkswagen ID4 and Kia EV6/Hyundai Ionic 6, are on the smaller end of the midsize segment and are also potential competitors.

Key EV launches in the compact SUV segment through 2024 include the Ford Explorer, Skoda Elroq, Opel/Vauxhall Grandland, Cupra Tavascan and potentially a SUV replacement for the Nissan Leaf. The Volkswagen Tiguan led the segment with 96,880 sales in the first half of 2023, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce. The 3008 was in fourth place with 58,430 sales.

The 3008's electric motors have been developed in-house at Stellantis’ joint venture with Nidec, and are built in Tremery, France.   

There are four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport and 4WD (optional). Steering wheel paddles control the regenerative braking function, which has three levels of intensity.

Two types of AC onboard chargers are available, a standard 11 kW unit and an optional 22 kW unit. A DC socket accepts up to 160 kW, with a charging time of 30 minutes from 20 to 80 percent for the standard range version, and less than 30 minutes for the long-range version.

Other battery features include Smart Charging, which adjusts the time and power rate of charging to optimize costs, and the ability to charge electrical devices such as an e-bike or appliance.

Peugeot did not give details of the hybrid powertrains, but the current 3008 has a plug-in hybrid and a new 48-volt mild hybrid option.

There are just two main trim levels available, Allure and GT, with three “packs” within each trim. 

Inside, the 3008 gets a complete overhaul of the dashboard area, with “floating” elements including an optional 21-inch-wide combined instrument/infotainment screen and a swooping center console. Lower-trim models get two 10-inch screens, including a central screen in the standard position. 

The new layout is called the panoramic i-Cockpit, a new variation of Peugeot’s hallmark design that features a small steering wheel set low to provide a clear view of the gauges. The combined screen is curved and oriented toward the driver, although Peugeot says the passenger has easy access to the infotainment functions.

As with other new Peugeot models, there is a row of “piano key” haptic-touch switches that can be programmed to operate functions such as navigation, making calls or setting the cabin temperature.

The e-3008 will be followed by the 5008, a larger model on the same platform, with more details in early 2024, Peugeot said. It will also be a sibling model to the Opel/Vauxhall Grandland compact SUV.

Reuters contributed to this report