THE PEUGEOT 3008 HYBRID4 -

- THE WORLD’S FIRST DIESEL HYBRID PRODUCTION VEHICLE

  • Powered by a 2.0 litre 163 bhp HDi diesel engine and a 37bhp electric motor
  • Potential 74.4mpg, with 99g/km of CO2
  • All electric mode (Zero Emission Vehicle)
  • A maximum combined power output of 200 bhp

The Peugeot 3008 Crossover, with HYbrid4 technology, is the first diesel ‘Full Hybrid’ production car in the world

By launching the world’s first diesel full hybrid vehicle – the 3008 HYbrid 4 – Peugeot write a new chapter in motoring history. The combination of a fuel efficient 2.0 litre 163 bhp HDi diesel engine and a 37 bhp electric motor is the optimal combination for a hybrid vehicle. Unlike previous hybrid vehicles which have chosen to use a less fuel efficient petrol engine, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4’s diesel engine provides superior Combined Drive Cycle fuel consumption of 74.4mpg, and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

The use of diesel hybrid technology also brings a range of other benefits:

  • High performance combined with excellent driveability
  • Freedom and simplicity of use with the possibility of choosing four different operating modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), Four-wheel drive, Auto and Sport
  • Silent operation, when driving in electric only mode
  • Peace of mind offered by the safety inherent in a four-wheel drive vehicle
  • Environmental friendliness with CO2 emissions from 99g/km

The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 is designed to appeal to demanding customers who are in search of a rewarding and original vehicle.

In terms of performance, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 benefits from the combined power of the HDi diesel engine and electric motor during acceleration and a “boost” function when an immediate surge of power is required. The maximum combined power output is 200 bhp, 163 bhp from the 2.0 litre HDi FAP diesel engine and 37 bhp from the electric motor.  A maximum torque of 500 Nm is available, split with 300Nm at the front from the HDi diesel engine and 200 Nm at the rear generated by the electric motor.


To manage all the available performance a control selector mounted on the centre console enables the driver to choose between four different operating modes.

  • “Auto” mode: the entire system is automatically controlled, including operation of the HDi diesel engine and the electric motor. This provides optimal driving for fuel consumption and dynamic performance
  • “ZEV” mode (Zero Emission Vehicle) provides access to an extensive all-electric mode. Activation of the HDi diesel engine is programmed to coincide with only more sustained phases of acceleration. This requires the high-voltage batteries to be sufficiently charged and turns the vehicle into a “city run-around” par excellence due to the total absence of noise and emissions.
  • Four-wheel drive mode (4WD) instructs both power trains to operate together as far as possible; the rear wheels are driven by the electric motor and the front wheels by the HDi diesel engine. It offers peace of mind, safety, improved driveability and accentuates the vehicle’s dynamic character.  At low speed it allows “all-terrain” capabilities equivalent to those of an SUV. The driver will, therefore, no longer be concerned by the prospect of a slippery track or a snowbound uphill drive to a ski resort
  • Sport” mode favours quicker gear changes at higher engine speeds than normal mode. In this mode, the notion of “controlled power” comes into its own, coupling the diesel engine with the electric motor provides more dynamic performance, optimally distributed and transmitted to the road by the four wheel drive for a level of stability and driveability that will appeal to motoring enthusiasts.

With the Peugeot 3008 equipped with HYbrid4 technology, the aim is to appeal to customers who expect both environmental-friendliness and technological sophistication, and also genuine driving enjoyment.

Indeed, as well as the social benefit of the steep reduction in fuel consumption, the level of performance provided by this technology will delight even the most demanding customers in terms of road holding, responsiveness, driveability, peace of mind regardless of road conditions and the possibility of enjoying silent operation in town in the all-electric mode.

HYbrid4 technology brings together Peugeot’s best technologies and experience: HDi diesel engines, electric vehicle knowledge, second-generation Stop & Start and electronically-controlled sequential manual gearboxes.

The “hybrid” power train simply combines an HDi diesel engine and an electric motor. With their exceptional efficiency, HDi diesel engines are thermodynamically more efficient than a petrol engine and offer a 30% reduction in fuel consumption.

For the “electric” component, Peugeot has historical expertise in the field of electric vehicles. To date, the 106 Electric, marketed between 1995 and 2003, remains the world’s best selling zero emissions car (in total nearly 10,000 vehicles were produced). At the end of 2010, Peugeot will become the first to launch a latest-generation 100% electric vehicle in Europe, the Peugeot i0n.

Pursuing the common sense approach of capitalising on the best existing components and expertise, it was only natural to use Peugeot’s electronically-controlled 6-speed manual gearbox, not only for its engine management capabilities but also for its ability to optimise fuel consumption. To improve performance even further a second-generation STOP & START system is also used.

The choice of hybrid architecture was also guided by the search for optimal efficiency and consistency. Hybrid technology uses two power trains which can operate alternately or simultaneously:

  • The HDi diesel engine operates in its most optimal operating window on longer, out-of-town journeys.  A diesel engine still remains the most efficient and versatile choice to power any vehicle
  • The electric motor takes over from the HDi diesel engine in phases of lower power demands, particularly when pulling away, driving at low speed and decelerating (for energy recovery). These are precisely the features that characterise urban driving

Changeover from the HDi diesel engine to the electric motor occurs automatically, due to a STOP & START system which places the HDi diesel engine in standby and restarts it as and when conditions require (the operation of the accelerator pedal, low battery charge level, etc…).

The two power sources also complement each other in certain driving conditions (“boost” effect during hard acceleration, or when overtaking another vehicle, for example). The performance of the HYbrid4 is therefore directly comparable to that obtained with a single HDi diesel engine of a much higher capacity, with good levels of responsiveness backed by a real breakthrough in terms of reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (around 35 % less in the combined cycle for equivalent performance).

The electric motor and its ancillary equipment (inverter, converter, etc) are fitted at the rear of the vehicle. This provides a number of advantages not only in terms of customer benefits and it also helps reduce costs and optimise the production process.

The original layout of the Hybrid4 system allows for the possibility of four-wheel drive. The HDi diesel engine drives the front wheels, while the electric motor (in the rear drive train) drives the rear wheels.

Everything is controlled electronically (“by wire”) and there are no mechanical links between the front and the rear drivetrains. This gives the system many advantages over a “traditional” mechanical system.

  • No structural constraints affecting the layout and design within the passenger compartment
  • 4×4 and environmental-friendliness are no longer contradicting terms

The installation at the rear, of all the vehicle’s “electrical components”, has further technical and economic benefits.
Firstly, it avoids the need for any major redesign of the vehicle’s engine compartment, while also improving weight distribution. It also leaves intact the possibility of using a range of different capacity engines, for possible future introduction.

Secondly, this architecture is achieved by means of the use of a simple and compact rear module containing the electric motor, its ancillary equipment and also the rear drive train and suspension.

The costs of the rear module are, therefore, reduced because of the technical possibility of deploying the same HYbrid4 technology into different market segments, in different body shapes, etc…, regardless of the type of internal combustion engine used.

A real breakthrough in terms of reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while improving dynamic performance levels, providing four-wheel drive and an electric only mode, HYbrid4 technology brings a number of benefits without compromises.

Furthermore, the driveability, safety and eco-efficiency of the system are based on simple, reasonable and consistent technological choices.

The Peugeot 3008 Crossover was chosen as the first application of this innovative technology.

The 3008 HYbrid4 will be produced in France (in Sochaux and Mulhouse) and marketed in the spring of 2011 in Europe.

Mondial de l’Automobile 2010 -Paris Motor Show

The countdown has begun! It’s just over a month until the world’s carmakers pull the wraps off their latest models at the Paris Motor Show 2010.

Diesel::Driver will be there in force to bring you daily reports and pictures of every significant new car running on Diesel and other innovative fuels.
We will be there on the 2 Press Days (30th September & 1st October) before the show opens to the public to bring you any of the surprises that manufacturers sometimes spring. It is expected that many manufacturers will be launching greener alternative vehicles with innovative drivetrains this time.

Some carmakers have already begun showing off their new offerings, including:

Audi A7
Bentley Continental GT
Citroen C4
Ford Focus ST
Kia POP concept
Land Rover Freelander 2 facelift
Lotus’ four new concepts
Lotus Evora S + Auto
Mercedes CLS
Peugeot 508
Range Rover Evoque
Renault DeZir
VW Passat
Vauxhall Astra GTC

There should be plenty more to come. So make sure you check back regularly to Diesel::Driver for the latest news.

The Paris show is held every 2 years and is spread over 7 separate Halls of the Expo Centre – it’s sheer size puts recent British Motor Shows in the shade.

The show opens to the public on Saturday 2nd October and runs until Sunday 17th October. It’s held at the Paris Expo centre, at Porte de Versailles on the Peripherique. Paris Expo is well connected to the city’s public transport network with bus stops right at the gates and Metro Stations only a short walk away

The show is just a short trip from the UK too, with easy access via road, the Eurostar or by air. Air France offer discounted flights to show goers, details of which can be found at http://www.mondialautomobile.com/Exhibitors/AFflightdiscount/tabid/185/language/en-US/Default.aspx.

Freddie Flintoff teams up with Shell to help Britain save fuel

Shell has teamed up with Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff to launch Shell FuelSave Unleaded and Diesel – two breakthrough fuels designed to help drivers save up to 1 Litre of fuel per tank from the very first fill, at no extra cost1.

The new smarter fuels are a breakthrough in fuels technology and contain Shell’s most advanced fuel economy formula to date.  They will replace regular Shell Unleaded and Shell Diesel2, making Shell the first company in the UK to offer customers a fuel that can help vehicles to be more fuel efficient – without having to pay any more.

To help lead the nation in driving fuel efficiently, Shell has challenged Ashes hero, Freddie, to train motorists via a specially-designed course of online fuel saving tips available at www.shell.co.uk/freddieschallenge.

Read the rest of this entry »

OZ Radio Stars choose Diesel::Driver Sponsor to supply MotorHomes for UK Tour.

Top OZ Radio Stars Hamish & Andy have chosen Diesel::Driver sponsor DGMotorhomes of Cambridgeshire to supply two motorhomes to take them and their production team on a 3 week tour of the UK and Ireland.

The duo are among the most popular entertainers in Australia, their show is broadcast Read the rest of this entry »

Aston Martin names Le Mans line-up

For the sixth consecutive year, Aston Martin Racing confirms its participation and the driver line-up for this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours race taking place on 12-13 June.

Two blue and orange Gulf liveried Aston Martin LMP1 cars bearing the iconic 007 and 009 entry numbers will be piloted by Aston Martin’s Read the rest of this entry »

Michelin Steps Up It’s ‘GREEN’ Approach To Le Mans

In addition to seeing Michelin target a 13th consecutive success on the event, this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours race (12-13 June) will mark a new step in the firm’s commitment to protecting the environment. Michelin’s participation in the 78th running of the world’s most famous endurance race will feature an all-new range of eco-friendly tyres. In addition, Michelin will organise, for the second time, the “Michelin Green X Challenge” which has now become an integral part of the regulations Read the rest of this entry »

Motorway Police choose Jaguar XF

The first ever Police-spec XF is about to go on patrol across the Midlands. The Central Motorway Police Group, which patrols motorways across Staffordshire, Mercia and the West Midlands has bought seven high performance Police vehicles based on the award-winning Jaguar XF Diesel S model.

The Police-specification Jaguars feature the 275PS 3.0-litre Diesel S engine. A roof mounted light bar with 3600 blue flashing lights and integrated side alley lights, blue and white flashing LED lights inside the front grille, side mounted blue flashing LED lights, blue and red flashing LED lights integrated in the rear light clusters and a Home Office-specification electronics ‘Police pack’ that powers a full suite of electronic equipment Read the rest of this entry »

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