From the Driver’s Seat
feature on all 3008 SUVs, with its spectacular, extremely technologicallyadvanced dashboard. In the 3008, Peugeot has produced something very refined, elegant and high-end, but without being ostentatious and flashy.
Once I’m comfortably on the contoured seat – covered with a tri-material TEP/ Alcantara trim, or as an option, sumptuous Nappa Mistral leather – my sight was treated to the (GT’s) fine copper double topstitching on the dashboard trim, door trim panels and central armrests. The compact steering wheel urgently called for my hands. Sporting the GT logo in chromed steel on the lower flat part, with the rim in full-grain leather, also with copper topstitching, one couldn’t wait to drive!
The magnificent genuine aged-oak trim on the dashboard and door panels are a joy to behold and touch. I could go on and on about the near-overwhelming experience, much to Peugeot’s approval, but there are too many to put in words here: Grey oak trim, a host of small details demonstrating the brand’s know-how in the area of well-being and prestige, touches of satin steel chrome in the driver’s compartment, stainless steel pedal unit, footrest and front door sills, floor mats with copper stitching, black roof trim and window uprights, copper colour for the digital display, etc.
It is a feast not just for the eyes, but for all the other senses that benefit from the i-Cockpit Amplify. Dynamic settings (with the Driver Sport pack), intensity of lighting, screen displays, configuration of the acoustic environment, release of delicate fragrances, and the possibility to have access to a multi-point massage setting on the front seats practically cover it all!
The GT Line has many visual attributes on the GT version. On the exterior, in addition to the GT Line logo on the front wings and rear tailgate, it has specific front bumper with full LED lights and the GT radiator grille; stainless steel quarter light finishers and weatherstrips; chrome double exhaust pipe; “Black Diamond” roof as standard; and the option of the “Coupe Franche” paint design in three colours with black. The GT Line can also be specified with 18-inch two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels and Perla Nera black door mirror shells (they are chrome on the GT models).
Inside, there’s the sporty and refined GT environment (including the copper topstitching) with the exception of the “Grey Oak” trim, the Alcantara seats and the numerous pieces of trim and strips which are also in satin chrome. The i-Cockpit Amplify is standard.
With the GT and GT Line finishes, the new 3008 displays Peugeot’s intent to provide the vehicle’s occupants with dynamic sensations in a chic and refined setting. Peugeot strongly feels that these two versions provide the new 3008 with the “most attractive sporty look and advanced technology in the market”.
Oh, one of the many cool standard equipment in the 3008 is the “e-Kick”, an electric-assisted scooter said to provide an “unprecedented multi-modal mobility experience”! Taking about an hour to charge and having a range of about 12 kilometres, the little foldable scooter is designed for “the last mile of a journey”, at a top speed of about 20km/h. Not bad at all!
As for the ride and handling, it was in short very enjoyable. I’ll tell you more when the 3008 comes to this side of the world, rolling in style and chic-ly on our roads, under our weather. Our sole importer and distributor of Peugeot vehicles, Nasim Sdn Bhd will launch the new 3008 by the second quarter of next year. The company is looking at introducing the 1.6-litre variant, for a start. However, it would “rather not say” when asked about the pricing, other than hinting that it won’t be too far off the first-generation 3008’s pricing.