Peugeot Announces First Diesel Hybrid

Jan 30 2012

With the escalating cost of fuel, a UK refinery going bankrupt, a looming increase in taxation on company cars and a potential increase in road taxes, just about the only thing that is still affordable in the world of motoring is a cheap car loan.

Under these circumstances any car manufacturer who tries to improve the fuel economy of its vehicles must be lauded.

Peugeot is one such manufacturer.  The company has, in fact, introduced a “world first” to the UK market in the form of a diesel hybrid: the Peugeot 3008 Crossover Hybrid 4.

Hybrid cars are, of course, nothing new, not even in the SUV/Crossover sector, but Peugeot has done something quite unique by combining a diesel engine with an electric motor rather than the conventional petrol engine/electric motor combination.

Why did the company decide to move away from petrol?  Peugeot’s argument is that a diesel engine has several advantages over a petrol engine: it uses less fuel; CO2 emission levels are lower; particulate emissions are lower because of the use of DPFS filter technology and the car has more torque.  This allows the company to use an electric motor with less power and a smaller battery pack, which saves space and fuel – and, of course, it is cheaper as well.

The official fuel consumption figure of 74.4 miles per gallon should go down well with both corporate and private motorists.  The new Peugeot is covered by a five-year/60 000 mile warranty.  The 3008 Crossover Hybrid 4 costs £28,495.

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