3 May 2012
New car report: flaunting its sexy looks
Most recently, we have seen a trend with several motor companies trying to get a slice of the action in the compact SUV segment, for it's fast becoming the favourite amongst Kiwi drivers.
Peugeot have joined the party and brought their ace card to the table with the launch of the new 4008, a feat they’ve managed to achieve with the assistance of Mitsubishi’s ASX platform. Sharing platforms has become a popular trend in the motoring world, with many manufacturers adopting this method, while aiming to provide more affordable cars. Although it’s all Japanese engineering under the skin, the French company has added some distinctive styling that easily sets them apart.
Besides the body shell, side doors and some glass being the same as the ASX, the rest of the body is clearly Peugeot’s design. Thanks largely to a touch of French flair, it has benefited from a sexy, more appealing design.
Peugeot New Zealand will be offering the gasoline engine to our market. They have used Mitsubishi’s 2.0L DOHC petrol engine and CVT transmission, with options of 2WD or 4WD. The 4WD has used the same On Demand system as the outgoing 4007 model. Due to the unavailability of an automatic diesel, we are unlikely to see the oil burners on showroom floors anytime soon.
Three versions of the 4008 are on offer in the New Zealand market: the Active- 2WD, Allure-2WD and the Feline-4WD. Peugeot say they are confident their sales will largely come from the 2WD Allure, and believe this model will make up 60% of the 4008’s sales volumes.
Japanese engineering camouflaged with French flair
On the local press launch around the twisty, scenic route in the South Island, from Arrowtown through Wanaka, to Cromwell and back to Queenstown, we were welcomed by wonderful sceneries of the stunning countryside and lakes. The white capped mountains in the background provided a stunning backdrop for the launch of the 4008, while driving past the old Cardrona Hotel took us back to the days of the gold rush.
At times we needed a reminder of the century we were in. Luckily for us, the 4008’s impressive modern looks and good handling skills, quickly reminded us of the present times, where SUVs are fast becoming more attractive and practical for everyday use. The 4008’s ride proved to be firm yet comfortable, although the CVT transmission displays the usual flare associated with this type of box when pushed hard.
The 2.0 litre engine develops 110kW of power at 6000rpm and 197Nm of torque at 4200rpm, while consuming a claimed 7.9L/100km for the 2WD and 8.1L/100km for the 4WD option.
The suspension has McPherson struts up front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. Compared to the Japanese designed ASX, the 4008 has been given a slight increase of 10mm to the front and rear tracks.
The exterior front styling has been treated to feline headlamps, a floating front grill and a stylishly sculptured bonnet. The C-pillars are unique to the 4008, and have been shaped to form resemblances of an arrow’s head, while the rear of the vehicle has been given some European treatment to make it more appealing.
At a glance, the interior layout can easily be mistaken for the Japanese model, although softer materials on the French model set them apart and give the cabin a more sophisticated and welcoming feel. Thanks, largely to the full size spare wheel, the boot space is only 384 litres, while folding the rear seats will free an extra 835 litres, giving it a combined loading space of 1219 litres.
Spoilt for choice in a segment that has seen rapid growth
All models come standard with rain sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights, cruise control and auto headlamps. Other features include automatic air-conditioning, rear parking assistance sensors, audio controls on the steering wheel and a CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth, USB and an AV jack.
Passive safety comes in the form of seven airbags, ISOFIX points are fitted on the rear outer seats with three anchorage points. Active safety features include ABS, ESP incorporating Anti-Skid and Traction Control functions.
The 4008 has been competitively priced for the New Zealand market, kicking off the range at $37,990 for the Active, $39,990 for the Allure and $45,990 for the Feline models.
It will be faced with strong competition in this segment of the small SUV market, with the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 being amongst its main rivals. However, Peugeot NZ execs see the Pug as a serious contender for the number one spot in the looks category and this could certainly be enough to sway buyers in its favour.