Rendezvous with Peugeot’s SUV’s from Paris to Manila

Love the second time around

It was love at first sight when I first met Peugeot’s SUV lineup. That was a year ago at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016. 

I was immediately captivated by the exterior designs of the compact 2008, the 3008 and the seven-seater 5008. Soon, I discovered that their beauty was more than metal-deep. I got to test drive all three SUVs, driving from France to Switzerland to Italy. The Peugeot SUVs proved to be formidable, dynamic and innovative. 

On November 27 this year, the SUVs were unveiled in an event held by Peugeot Philippines in their Pasig showroom. The new SUV range of Peugeot Philippines includes the new 3008 SUV (named 2017 European Car of the Year), the new 2008 Compact SUV, and the new 5008 seven-seater SUV.

Peugeot’s new SUV range defies conventional standards with its unique style, dynamic performance, and revolutionary engine technology.

While Peugeot is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, this is Peugeot’s first venture into the SUV segment. This is surprising since the SUV market’s share has been rapidly increasing in the past years. But Peugeot’s late entry in this market was a deliberate move, one that worked in its favor. Peugeot Philippines’ President Glen Dasig said that this gave the brand the advantage to rethink some conventional ideas and notions about the growing segment. “We have made good use of this time to create an SUV range that is uniquely us,” Dasig said.

 The new Peugeot SUV range features distinct characteristics, including a meticulous attention on the driver’s experience. For instance, the 3008 has seats with a massager and a selection of aromas as a component of the airconditioning system.  

Each Peugeot SUV uses the brand’s signature technology (but upgraded second-generation) iCockpit. New features of the iCockpit include an “Amplify function” on the new 3008 SUV (a first from Peugeot) that allows the driver to change the ambiance of the cabin. Depending on the driver’s mood or needs, the cabin can produce either a calming or energizing effect by activating the built-in scent diffusers, ambient lighting, and multi-function massage seats. The settings can change automatically depending on the user’s preference.

“Taking inspiration from both urban landscapes and rough terrain, the new Peugeot SUV range possesses a confident stance with the driver at heart of its design,” Dasig explained. “Everything about the design of our new SUV range enhances the driver’s experience,” he added.

Aesthetically, Peugeot SUVs are distinctly compact and svelte while keeping a spacious interior cabin. Dasig explains that “Peugeot’s engineers have found a way to trim off the excess bulk that makes an SUV aesthetically big and imposing without sacrificing space.”

All models in the range have a low center of gravity, lighter but sturdier frames, that reduce the body roll that is common in traditional SUVs. The patented Advanced Grip Control mechanism allows the driver to tackle any terrain while keeping the agility and nimbleness of a lighter vehicle.

While much can be admired in the exterior and interior features of Peugeot’s SUVs, the expectations don’t stop there. Dasig proudly claims, “the most impressive feature in our new SUV range can be found under the hood.”

The new 3008 SUV is equipped with a 1.6L Turbo High-Pressure engine, while the new 2008 SUV uses the award-winning 1.2L Puretech engine (available for the first time in the Philippines).

Featuring just three cylinders, the 1.2L PureTech engine boasts of new performance and emission-reducing technologies such as a gasoline particulate filter that reduces emissions by more than 75 percent, optimized combustion cycles, and a compact form that maximizes vehicle aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

With a smaller displacement, the 1.6L THP engine provides savings in weight while still delivering a large amount of power.

In unveiling the Peugeot 2008, 3008, and 5008, Dasig proclaimed these models as part of “a new breed of SUVs” that is part of Peugeot’s “vision for the future.”

It appears that Peugeot’s vision of the future raises the bar for SUVs. Dasig points out for instance, “big and fuel-hungry engines for an SUV are a thing of the past… By combining power, performance, and best-in-class efficiency, our PureTech and THP engines represent our commitment to providing unparalleled driving experiences, while ensuring sustainability in the long run.”

Some say that one of the signs of true love is if the feelings remain despite time and distance. It’s been a year since I last saw the 3008, 2008 and 5008—but I was yet again captivated (or perhaps the better word is “still captivated”) by these vehicles.  

What makes the Peugeot SUVs appealing is the thoughtful approach to design and innovation, one that could only be achieved through time. It took time before Peugeot ventured into the SUV segment. It took time before the Peugeot SUVs reached the Philippines. To this, Peugeot Philippines’ Glen Dasig gave a promising answer—“The Lion is awake and the wait was definitely worth it.”