Overview
PEUGEOT AUSTRALIA’S kick-off level is the Small SUV section 2008 Attract SUV Hybrid priced from $42,490 rising to $49,490 for the 2008 GT SUV Hybrid as-tested each excluding on street prices.
By means of reference, the 308 hatchback sits in between at $48,990 + ORC.
Hybrid competitors for the small electrified French SUV comes from many quarters primarily Hyundai’s Kona hybrid from $36,700 +ORC, Honda HR-V from $39,900 d/a, Toyota C-HR from $45,440 + ORC and the Toyota Corolla Cross from $37,440 + ORC.
Loads of different electrified selections can be found within the hotly contested section.
Peugeot has a little bit of an edge with the 2008 GT because it options distinctive and engaging styling with defining edges slightly than the presently in-vogue “eggmobile” look typically cloned elsewhere.
Energy comes from Peugeot’s ubiquitous 1.2-litre, three pot turbo petrol engine present in (most) different domestically out there Pugs with an built-in electrical traction motor, however this mannequin goes higher because it weighs a whole bunch of kilos much less at 1272kg.
Peugeot Australia has settled on hybrid expertise to switch PHEV and ICE powertrains throughout its domestically out there fashions. It may be described as a “delicate” MHEV with a 48-volt electrical motor contributing a mere 15.6kW and 51Nm of torque by way of a 0.8kWh Li-ion battery with regen’ for a mixed output of 107kW and 230Nm.
After the petrol solely 2008 GT was discontinued, the GT Hybrid examined positive aspects some cool package to offset its close to $50K value akin to a beforehand non-obligatory ‘Type Pack’ as commonplace with 18-inch Evissa Onyx Black alloy wheels and a sunroof that was a $2500 possibility.
The front-wheel-drive, five-seat SUV makes use of a six-speed typical automated transmission with paddle shift facility and rides on a strut entrance and beam axle rear suspension.
Claimed mixed gasoline consumption is 4.4 litres/100km fed from a 44-litre petrol tank whereas the petite Pug has a braked tow score of 1100kg.
Helping Peugeot’s NVES compliance is a CO2 emissions score of 99g/km representing a 19.5 per cent discount over the earlier ICE-powered 2008 GT.
Sweetening the 2008 deal from the entry mannequin is a big selection of ordinary package together with a ten.0-inch high-definition capacitive central touchscreen, e-toggle automated gear selector swap on centre console, LED headlights and tail-lights with PEUGEOT signature ‘Claw Impact’ and daylight perform.
Additional goodies embody wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wi-fi telephone charging functionality, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), a 360-degree HD digicam system, body-coloured roof and rear spoiler, sports activities seats with Alcantara and leather-based impact trim with high sew.
The GT provides a configurable 3D digital driving cockpit, adaptive cruise management with cease and go perform, multi-function full grain leather-based steering wheel with ‘Adamite’ inexperienced stitching and GT badging, panoramic opening glass roof, diamond black roof and rear spoiler, driver and entrance passenger heated seats, driver seat multi-point therapeutic massage perform and electrical lumbar adjustment.
The 2008 GT Hybrid comes commonplace with Peugeot’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Driving Impressions
Other than the air-con’ not working, driving the placing blue Pug was enjoyable characterised by good engine efficiency tidy dynamics and beneficiant package.
It has extra get-go than any of the opposite Peugeots with this tiny powertrain because of its lighter weight and is quickish out of the blocks during to excessive speeds particularly when left in Sport or to a lesser extent Regular drive modes.
Eco mode makes the pint-size Pug really feel prefer it has a sock within the exhaust.
Roll-on response in S and N modes is powerful punctuated by the occasional down shift to tag the powerband’s fats spot accompanied by a quantity enhance to the warbling exhaust be aware which is OK to some extent.
It has paddle shift that permits extra driver engagement as do the brakes with loads of pedal really feel and chunk coupled with gentle and fast steering responses facilitating pot-hole avoidance, the drive really feel enhanced by a tiny flat high and backside multi-function steering wheel.
A small quantity of steering wheel backlash is obvious when pushing pretty exhausting by way of bumpy corners, however the tyres present loads of grip with the automobile in the end adopting a push below steer angle… the entrance wheels lose grip pushing outwards by way of a nook with much less steering response.
As anticipated from a Peugeot and regardless of rudimentary entrance strut/rear torsion beam suspension, the 2008 GT Hybrid delivers a cushty and managed trip over a variety of surfaces and driving kinds though with 4 adults on board the automobile’s dynamics change a good bit because it strikes nearer to its engineering limits.
Throughout our week with the Pug, we clocked over 1000km and recorded a median mixed gasoline consumption determine of 5.6 litres/100km which is fairly good all informed – however nowhere close to the 4.4 declare from Peugeot – and it’s the pricier 95RON premium unleaded that stings a tad.
Pushed rigorously, the 44-litre tank might present a spread of about 780km.
Inside we discovered the steering wheel obscures the decrease instrument console readouts even on the lowest level of adjustment, however the remainder of the digital show is massive format, logical and straightforward to grasp.
A good measurement centre touchscreen controls many capabilities, and it too is comparatively simple to make use of when you grow to be accustomed to the menus. A financial institution of toggles beneath is for occasionally used options.
We discovered the entrance seats considerably tight as they’re smallish to suit throughout the Pug’s compact dimensions and entry could be a chore in case you are semi-large of stature exacerbated by the small door aperture and jutting fringe of the sprint.
There’s a beneficiant quantity of load area on the again and rear seat room is fairly good for a automobile this measurement.
Not like the earlier Peugeots now we have been biking by way of of late, this one was willingly pushed because of its respectable efficiency, options, look and ease of arrange.
There are the standard ADAS nannies to take care of, however should you neglect, they’re nowhere close to as intrusive as what you get from many different manufacturers which stridently take management.
It’s a bit exey although particularly while you take a look at what’s on supply elsewhere a lot of that are extra highly effective, simply as effectively featured and extra mainstream which could be a massive plus while you trade-in.
All of it relies upon how a lot significance you place on so-called French aptitude and being totally different.
