Refinement with a macho look

IT’S not hard to see why Peugeot’s new generation 3008 has proved to be so popular with buyers – given its dynamic exterior and space-age interior.

The new car, launched at the end of last year, is a world away from the functional but far more conservative model it has replaced.

With a waistline which rises boldly from front to back, a new aggressive sporting grille, full LED headlights, body cladding, contrasting black roof and liberal use of bright metalwork, the new, latest 3008 really looks the part.

Walk around the back and the roof spoiler, black panel beneath the rear window and twin chrome exhausts all add to the macho image.

And not to be outdone, Peugeot’s interior designers have come up with something special too, with an abundance of space for passengers and a radical look to the dashboard.

In the centre there is an iPad-style 8in touchscreen for controlling most of the on-board functions in conjunction with a bank of pianokey-style toggle switches, a tiny multi-function steering wheel with flat top and bottom and, immediately in front of the driver, Peugeot’s stunning new I-Cockpit.

The I-Cockpit makes conventional speedometers and rev counters seem old fashioned, for on the 3008 they are merely projected onto the screen, so can be altered to suit the driver’s preference or disappear altogether.

As the dials morph from one form to another or move to each side to make way for the satellite navigation directions it‘s like back-to-thefuture style theatre with a wide range of permutations.

Sit in the 3008 and you instantly feel at home. The high stance of the car gives you excellent all-round vision. The cockpit seems to wrap itself around you and the high centre console means your hand falls easily on to the six-speed gear-shift.

The panoramic opening glass sunroof fitted as a £990 optional extra meant the interior was light and airy and if the sun is too intense there is an electric blind.

The new car is bigger than the original with more ground clearance, more metalwork and less glass.

It’s packed with a wide range of hi-tech features now demanded by drivers, including automatic dip/ main beam headlights, blind spotmonitoring to warn when a driver is overtaking, active safety braking to prevent you colliding with a vehicle or pedestrian in your path and a separate alert to warn when you stray over the white line.

Slip the gear-shift into reverse and the touchscreen is divided into two panels with one showing exactly what’s behind you and the other a 360-degree picture from above so there is no excuse for not being able to park in the tightest of spaces.

There’s a wide variety of engines available but the 3008 GT Line PureTech 130 was powered by a 1,200cc, three cylinder unit which offered quiet, refined performance with plenty of attitude if you were prepared to wind up the revs.

Slipping it into Sport mode meant a noticeable amount more zip and for most of my time with this car I kept it in Sport without any adverse affect on economy.

With 591 litres of boot space and 1,670 litres with the rear seatbacks down the 3008 is the ideal car for holiday-loving families.

Taken all round this Peugeot offers a very comprehensive allround package which is difficult to beat.