Test drive Peugeot 3008

The winner of the competition "Car of the Year 2017" arrived without much preparation: with a picky suspension, mono-drive and a price tag under 26 yew. dollars. And yet the crossover is able to attract a lot of buyers.

The Car of the Year sticker under the glass of the Peugeot 3008 means victory in a difficult struggle. The seven finalists for the European Car of the Year title were selected from thirty models. And in the decisive round, the French crossover beat very strong rivals: Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes-Benz E-class in second and third places, followed by Volvo S90, Citroen C3, Toyota CH-R and Nissan Micra. The 3008 can now claim special attention from the European market. But what are the chances in Russia, where there are also enough serious competitors, and the COTY sticker as an argument has almost no weight?

Let's remember the first Peugeot 3008, a monocab with increased ground clearance. Puffy, as if physically suffering from overweight marketing interpretations of his idea. That controversial car was not successful. The current, second generation, on the new EMP2 platform has a different and much clearer message: now the 3008 is an unambiguous "concentrate" of a crossover with masculine proportions and an abundance of special effects. In a sense, a proprietary manifesto.

Appearance is a design breakthrough. An attractive non-trivial image with a clear hint of gloss, a kind of Range Rover Evoque in the French style. The basic Active version comes with 17-inch light-alloy wheels, and on the average Allure they are an inch larger. The third top version of the GT-Line available is especially good: it has a unique cladding, additional linings - chrome and stainless steel, a black roof, and the main color can be two-tone with a dark stern. On the test, it is the GT-Line.

And our customers should also estimate the declared clearance of 219 millimeters. The exit angle of 29 degrees is also not bad. The massive front end leaves a 20-degree margin for entry, here you will have to be careful. Fortunately, the motor is protected from underneath by a metal plate. For difficult sections, the Grip Control assistant is provided: the switch changes the stabilization system response algorithms. You can choose from the modes "Normal", "Snow", "Mud", "Sand" and forced shutdown of ESP at speeds up to 50 km per hour. There is also a downhill assistance system.

With all this, the 3008 has only front-wheel drive! Please put up with one of the amendments to the "euro rate", because in Europe, a pair of driving wheels is often enough for all occasions. All-wheel drive will be only a gas-electric hybrid expected in the foreseeable future with a separate electric motor on the rear axle, and the Russian prospects for such a version are unclear.

The current range of engines in the model has six gasoline and diesel units with a volume of 1,2 liters to two liters and a capacity of 130-180 horsepower. We have available 150-horsepower modifications with a 1.6 THP gasoline turbo engine or a 2.0 BlueHDi turbo diesel and uncontested 6-speed automatic transmission Aisin.

Moreover, BlueHDi is adapted: the initial settings for Euro-6 standards have been changed for cars in Russia to "Euro-fifths", and the AdBlue fluid filler is sealed. Subject 3008 is on diesel fuel. We revive it by pressing a button and ... no characteristic sonorous rumbling, no obvious tremor. In motion, the diesel also does not annoy with noise and vibrations.

The driver's seat will really please those who are tired of the monotony - this is a cockpit saturated with creativity. The entourage is like from comics about interstellar wars, and it is just right to sit at a small figured steering wheel in a galactic pilot's suit. The GT-Line seats are very comfortable: electrically adjustable, cushion extensions, three-level heating, the driver has a memory of two positions. We only visit for weak lateral support. The crossover is packed with options, so there are massagers in the backs of the chairs, and all the seats are upholstered in Nappa leather. By the way, even the standard finishing and elaboration of details is a complaint here.

Having groped the pedals with silver GT-pads, you quickly find a comfortable position, move the "steering wheel" towards you. But sat down and went - not about 3008. You need to get used to, study the keyboard on the center console and the capabilities of the digital dashboard, understand the menu on the touch screen, find the USB slot - it is hidden in the depths of the niche for small things, adapt to the non-fixed curved lever of the automatic transmission ...

Multicolor instruments are assigned to the upper tier of the front panel. The tachometer hand moves counterclockwise like an Aston Martin. The wheel on the steering wheel spoke changes the combination options: regular dials, an almost empty field with a digital speedometer, a full-width navigation map, a view with a diagram of longitudinal and lateral accelerations. And if you select the Relax mode in the main menu, only the actual numbers of the moment will be highlighted on the dial scales. And all these graphics are more decorative than informative.

Special effects, remember? Relax and Boost modes create a relaxing or invigorating atmosphere in the cabin. For each case, you can choose an individual configuration. There are five massage options, six styles of music playback, three scents of the fragrance hidden in the glove compartment, dimming of the contour lighting, normal or sport riding settings.

The base of the new 3008 is increased compared to its predecessor, there is enough space in length in the second row zone, and the feet can be placed under the front seats. But the cushion of the sofa is a bit short, and there is a margin of height for the tall, back to back. The third is not superfluous, fortunately, the central tunnel is barely outlined here. Two are more comfortable, especially if the wide center armrest with cup holders is folded back. And our 3008 also has an optional panoramic roof.

The electric drive of the fifth door is also an option. The neat luggage compartment is designed for 591 liters, the maximum volume under the load is 1670 liters. On the sides of the compartment, we find handles for transforming the backrest parts into a flat platform. There is a hatch for long items, and for transporting especially large items, the back of the front right seat on Allure and GT-Line is lowered onto the cushion.

External cameras and movable graphic prompts assist in taxiing out of the cramped parking lot at the Peugeot dealership. The rear lens is standard on the GT-Line, the front one is optional. Conveniently, when switching from reverse to Drive, the peephole in the lining is activated automatically for a while. You can switch cameras through the menu.

Parallel and perpendicular parking assistance is also available for a surcharge. And if you save money? The dimensions of the 3008 feel bad, the wide front pillars impair the view, the view through the rear window is scanty. But the side mirrors are great.

The dynamics of the diesel 3008 immediately sets up a positive mood. The motor pleases with energetic picks up, the “automatic” deftly and smoothly operates with six steps. The steering wheel is a pleasant tool to use, the handling on dry surfaces of the 3008 is European-like. And in Sport mode, the crossover becomes a driver's apparatus and seems to lose part of the mass: now the gears are held longer, the box shifts down with excitement, the steering wheel becomes heavier. Pleasure! And the average consumption according to the onboard computer was only seven liters.

And again we have to make a discount on the euro rate. The Russian adaptation did not affect the suspension with settings for quality roads. Yes, roll and swing are moderate, but in our reality the dense chassis seems overly picky about irregularities, large wheels respond to all the little things and roughness, Continental tires make noise. On the odometer the first thousand, and in front of the right under the body is already something rattling.

There are plenty of other disadvantages as well. The brake pedal is French sensitive, and even deceleration is not always successful. The cruise control, light switch and automatic transmission paddle are cramped to the left under the steering wheel. The menu "slows down", the navigation voice distorts the names. The spare wheel is a stowaway.

And the prices of the imported Peugeot 3008 are considerable. Gasoline modifications cost from $ 21 to $ 200, diesel - $ 24 - $ 100. Although the basic equipment is generous: LED running lights, light and rain sensors, electric parking brake, cruise control, separate climate control, multimedia with an 22-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, electric mirrors, heated seats, six airbags and ESP ...

The crossover becomes a truly advanced "Car of the Year" in top performance with options. For a surcharge, they offer an emergency braking system, tracking lane markings and interference in "blind" zones, driver fatigue control, automatic light switching and adaptive cruise control. The price tag of a rich 3008 - remember, a mono-drive one - is already significantly higher than the psychologically important two million. Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV4 petrol all-wheel drive bestseller with a 2,0-liter engine and a CVT starts at $ 20, and a 100-liter version with a 24-speed automatic transmission is available for $ 500.

The company does not even aim at large editions: by the end of the year, they plan to sell about 1500 crossovers. Not Europe.

A type	Crossover	Crossover
Dimensions (length / width / height), mm	4447/1841/1624	4447/1841/1624
Wheelbase, mm	2675	2675
Curb weight, kg	1465	1575
engine's type	Gasoline, R4, turbo	Diesel, R4, turbo
Working volume, cubic meters cm	1598	1997
Power, hp with. at rpm	150 at 6000	150 at 4000
Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm	240 at 1400	370 at 2000
Transmission, drive	6th st. АКП	6th st. АКП
Maximum speed km / h	206	200
Acceleration to 100 km / h, from	8,9	9,6
Fuel consumption (horizontal / route / mixture), l	7,3/4,8/5,7	5,5/4,4/4,8
Price from, USD	21 200	22 800