Peugeot Crossover sets new benchmark

The newly-launched range offers three engine types and seven model configurations.

It has taken the French carmaker longer than most to join the world-wide swing to this popular all-purpose segment of the market, but it was worth the wait.

For this latest bearer of the famous - and recently rejuvenated - lion badge is as sexy as the dancing girls of the Moulin Rouge.

Like all crossover vehicles the new 3008 is never going to be the Mona Lisa of the motoring world with a prominent grille that looks not unlike that of Audi, a side view that hints at Prius and a derriere very much in line with most hatchbacks.

Vivre le flair

But it has more than enough French flair to appeal and its looks certainly grows on you the more you look at it and drive it.

But it's on the road, in particular, where the 3008's special appeal blossoms. It is a truly superb car to drive, whether on black top or on sand and gravel.

Besides its rock-solid feel, well-weighted steering and keenness to gallop this 3008 is amazingly quiet.

It will cruise happily and quietly along with the rev counter just touching 3 000 rpm.

The newly-launched range offers three engine types and seven model configurations to choose from and I was one of a group of motoring scribes who got to play with them in the Kalahari Desert.

I drove the 1.6 turbo boosted petrol model that delivers 115 kW and 240 Nm (with most of the punch coming in as low down as 1400 rpm) and one of the most delightful diesels I have ever driven, the flagship 2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel that produces 110 kW and a whopping 340 Nm at only 2000 rpm.

I was stunned by the quality of the ride of both cars. The 1.6 petrol model was far from sleepy and is certainly a good-value-for-money buy, but it was the diesel that was a knock-out winner.

A quality cross-over

What a star performer this crossover is. I kid you not; we had to check the rev counter to make sure the engine was running.

It's quick off the mark and gets to 160 km/h with consummate ease where it will cruise happily and quietly along with the rev counter just touching 3 000 rpm

It behaves superbly on the tar but its true strength of character comes out when the tar turns to sand and gravel. Not once in more than 300 kilometers of hard driving did the oil-burner show even a hint of skittishness.

Climate and other controls are easy to reach on the central console.click to enlarge

In addition to its planted feeling the steering is beautifully weighted, the brakes are seriously sharp and the six-speed manual shift is as slick and smooth as a French Sauce Mousseline.

And while the 3008 is no serious off-roader it coped surprisingly well in the thick red sand of the Kalahari, thanks to a rather unique feature (for this category of vehicle) called Grip Control.

Although it was primarily designed to cope with thick European snow it is also ideally suited for those embarrassing moments when a normal family vehicle can get bogged down on a sandy road leading to an out of the way surfing spot or in muddy fields and yes, even when gravel roads become sandy, like on the back tracks of the Kalahari.

Keeping it simple

The system, which is operated with a simple rotary switch located on the central console, offers five drive modes: Standard, Snow, All-terrain, Sand and ESP Off.

Comfortable - whatever the terrain.click to enlarge

Interestingly enough, it's quite similar to the system you find on much more hard-core Land Rovers.

In essence it's a traction control system which works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and which transfers power and traction from a spinning wheel to the wheel with the most grip.

At a cost of only R2 000 this is an option available to all models in the range and it is highly recommended.

To help with extra grip the 2008 is shod with Michelin Latitude Tour HP Mud & Snow 215/60 R16 tyres (freely available from tyre stockists and not much more expensive than good quality standard tyres) which work equally well at high-speed tar travel as on gravel.

Grip control just one of the features

We put the system to the test on steep sandy dunes and although it is no match for a low-range 4x4 off-roader it certainly provides about 50% more traction than a lesser equipped vehicle.

But Grip Control is only one of many super features of this classy vehicle which undoubtedly poses a serious threat to the likes of the Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan, Renault Koleos, Dodge Calibre and Nissan's Qashqai.

Obviously the on-board goodies vary according to model and purchase price with niceties such as full leather, sunroof, hill- start assist, blue tooth connectivity, following distance warning, a head-up display (a la Mirage fighter jet) which can be ‘used or put away' at the flick of a switch, to choose from.

However a spacious, airy cabin, flexible seating (which can also be folded flat), a boot which can adapted to take three different loads, a two-part tailgate, a load capacity of up to 1 600 litres, a handy central refrigerated stow-away between the driver and front passenger to keep the Windhoek Lagers chilled, frugal juice use, low emissions, cross-cabin adjustable climate control and many other funky features are standard across the range.

What's more, the 3008 comes swaggering into local dealerships with at least eight major international awards already in its display cabinet.

The boot can adapted to take three different loads.

So it's up to individuals to pick and pay for the model and extras they want.

The choice is between a five-speed manual entry-level petrol model and one with a more powerful 1.6-litre petrol engine and a six-speed box, or the really great diesel model.

There are no automatics available at launch but they are their way…

The models and prices are:

Comfort 1.6 VTi - R248 500
Premium 1.6 THP - 282 100
Premium Grip 1.6 THP R284 100
Premium 2.0 HDi - R302 300
Premium Grip 2.0 HDi - R304 300
Executive 1.6 THP - R305 400
Executive 2.0 HDi - R325 600

Peugeot plans to sell about 1000 of these crossovers this year and they are banking on it to become a volume builder and a brand-builder as it is already doing in Europe.

It certainly is one of the most impressive cars in this category I have yet driven and even though the 2010 SA Car of the Year is only due to be announced soon, I reckon this chic Frenchy could well be on the short list for the 2011 honours.

Specifications