Strength, style and technology – in a desirable all-terrain package
- A true all-terrainer combining style and elegance with off-road prowess
- Spacious, practical and comprehensively equipped cabin
- Powerful engine delivers ample performance on and off the road
- Advanced, smooth-shifting CVT gearbox ensures convenience and control
- Five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan provides peace-of-mind motoring
The arrival of the all-new Peugeot 4008 marks the launch of the marque’s first fully-fledged sports utility vehicle with four-wheel drive in South Africa.
Combining the latest Peugeot styling cues with a comprehensively equipped interior and rugged all-terrain underpinnings, this is truly a Peugeot for all driving conditions.
The 4008 joins the 3008 in Peugeot’s portfolio of versatile, multi-purpose vehicles, with the 3008 placing the emphasis on its crossover character, while the 4008’s focus Is on all-terrain capability and SUV style.
OVERVIEW
The combination of a raised stance, composed proportions and reduced front and rear overhangs all point to a vehicle with dynamic capabilities on and off the road, while the Peugeot identity is unmistakably expressed via key design elements.
These include the trademark floating grille and the feline shape of the headlights, further underlined by the curved LED daytime running lights. Functional styling cues include the large wheels, bold wheel arch extensions, and body sill protectors.
The interior follows the same theme of linked elegance and functionality. High-grade materials, soft-touch finishes and metallic accents abound, ensuring an ambience focussed on style and comfort.
Efficient ergonomics allow an unequivocal interface between the 4008 and its driver. Deep-set instrument dials, a multifunction display and a soft-trimmed steering wheel with integrated controls for the cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free telephony and the sound system ensure instant familiarity and a overall control.
Under the skin, the 4008 benefits from the technological partnership between Peugeot and Mitsubishi. The all-wheel drive system links versatility with competence, and offers a choice of drive modes to allow optimised operation in a variety of conditions.
The new 4008 is powered by a normally aspirated 2,0-litre petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit combines efficiency with low-down response and overall tractability. Rated maximum power output is 110 kW at 6 000 r/min, linked to a torque peak of 197 Nm at 4 200 r/min. A six-speed CVT gearbox is standard.
The 4008 is offered in two specification levels – Active and Allure – with both models offering a comprehensive array of luxury, convenience and safety features. These include USB and Bluetooth connectivity, seven airbags, climate control, auto-activated headlights and windscreen wipers, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Allure adds a full-length Cielo glass panoramic roof, roof bars, leather upholstery, and heated and electrically adjustable seats to the 4008 package.
“The arrival of the 4008 allows Peugeot to participate in the growing compact SUV market for the first time,” says Francis Harnie, managing director of Peugeot South Africa. “It’s a particularly popular segment in SA, where active and outdoor lifestyles favour the versatility and all-terrain capability of an SUV.”
He adds that the 4008 extends Peugeot’s reach into the crossover market, where the 3008 already offers buyers a unique and spacious alternative to conventional SUVs. “While our 3008 focuses on versatility and practicality in the two-wheel drive context, and also offers a diesel derivative, the 4008 now brings true 4×4 capability to the Peugeot family.”
DESIGN
The Peugeot 4008 combines aesthetic appeal with function-inspired styling. Unmistakably Peugeot, the newcomer expresses the latest Peugeot design language, first introduced with the arrival of the 508 premium sedan last year.
Notable features include the prominent, floating grille, its trapezoidal shape emphasised by a chromed surround, and framed on either side by slim, slanted headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. The effect is elegant and feline, with the stylised Peugeot Lion emblem enjoying pride of place on the contoured bonnet.
Sculpted lower apertures, and contrasting body mouldings underline the 4008’s muscular, robust presence, a theme continued in profile by the rising shoulder line, the emphasised wheel arch extensions, and the lower side moulding protectors.
Big 18-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches to the brim, creating a planted and confident look, while the Peugeot’s 200 mm ride height is evidenced by its commanding stance. At the same time, the steeply raked windscreen and sloping roofline express the dynamic capabilities of the compact SUV.
The Peugeot family aesthetic is carried through to the rear, thanks to the bold, wrap-around tail lights incorporating the trademark three-part ‘clawed’ LED strips. A generous tailgate promises convenient access to the luggage compartment, while the contrasting finish of the lower apron continues the rugged, all-terrain theme.
Finishing touches include the brightwork garnishes around the window apertures and the front air intakes, while the flagship Allure model sports aluminium-look roof rails and a Cielo panoramic glass roof.
INTERIOR
Class and elegance are the overriding themes of an interior that also offers the space, convenience and practicality expected of a sports utility vehicle.
The tactile attributes of the cabin focus on high-grade materials and soft-touch finishes, creating an instant sense of well-being and cosseting comfort. Form-hugging front seats face a sculpted instrument panel with driver-focussed ergonomics.
The thick-rimmed, padded three-spoke steering wheel frames deep-set analogue gauges, ensuring at-a-glance legibility, while the controls and switchgear have been logically arranged for intuitive use and instant familiarity.
The adjustable steering wheel provides integrated controls for the sound system, the Bluetooth hands-free connection, and the cruise control.
The centre console provides and ergonomically efficient home for the audio system, while three prominent rotary controls allow adjustment of the fully automatic climate control air-conditioning. The rotary theme extends to the all-wheel drive mode selector behind the gear shift lever.
The switchgear execution is upmarket, with gleaming metallic surrounds and a high-gloss black lacquer dashboard surfaces.
The rear accommodation is generous, offering a 60:40 split bench seat that can be folded down in sections, or completely. A fold-down rear armrest is standard, together with a load-through ski flap. The luggage compartment offers 384 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in position. A 12V power socket is provided in the boot as standard.
Practicality is emphasised by a large number of storage options. These include a large, lit and refrigerated globe compartment, two cup holders between the front seats, a further two cup holders under the rear armrest, and storage pockets and nets on the rear of the front seatbacks.
The front armrest incorporates further storage space, as well as housing a 12V auxiliary power socket, a minijack socket and a USB port for connecting a portable music device. The front doors also offer side storage compartments that are able to accommodate 1,5-litre bottles.
While the 4008 Active is equipped with attractive and durable cloth upholstery as standard, the top-end Allure derivative is trimmed in genuine leather.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
The new Peugeot 4008 is equipped with a high level of standard specification across the two model range, with the flagship Allure boasting an even longer list of features.
The 4008 Active’s standard execution includes fully automatic climate control air-conditioning, remote central locking, and a multi-speaker audio system with CD receiver and a choice of auxiliary audio and USB inputs for linking up personal music players.
Bluetooth connectivity allows the use of compatible mobile phones in hands-free mode. The Bluetooth functionality, together with key audio system functions and the standard cruise control, can be accessed via integrated controls on the 4008’s multifunction steering wheel.
Also on the features list are electrically adjustable windows and mirrors, rear parking sensors, an auto-dipping electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, remote central locking, a trip computer, and auto-activation of the headlights and the windscreen wipers.
The flagship 4008 Allure model adds leather upholstery to the standard equipment list, while the Cielo panoramic glass roof and LED-based ambient lighting are also included. The front seats are heated, and gain electric adjustment.
SAFETY
As has become the Peugeot norm, the new 4008 is fitted with a comprehensive array of active and passive safety systems. All-disc ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and EBA (emergency braking assistance).
The 4008 also offers ESP stability control to augment the all-wheel drive system with its anti-skid and traction control functions.
Passive safety measure incorporated into the 4008 include a rigid passenger safety cell with deformation zones to act as impact absorbers, together with side impact protection zones. The airbag tally totals seven, consisting of a steering column airbag and knee airbag on the driver’s side, a front passenger airbag, as well as side airbags and curtain airbags.
Five three-point inertia reel seatbelts are standard, as are front and rear head restraints, while two sets of ISOFIX child seat tethers are also included on the rear outer seating positions.
DRIVETRAIN AND DYNAMICS
Both derivatives of the new 4008 are equipped with a responsive and efficient 2,0-litre petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit is transversely mounted and features electronic fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder to combine response with efficiency.
The engine has a rated maximum output of 110 kW at 6 000 r/min, together with a torque peak of 197 Nm at 4 200 r/min. A six-speed Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) is the only gearbox option.
CVT was chosen because of its smooth operation, broad versatility and proven efficiency, allowing both the convenience of fully automatic operation, and the additional control of six, manually selectable ‘virtual’ ratios.
In line with its all-terrain positioning, the 4008 is offered locally in all-wheel drive form only. The all-wheel drive system offers a choice of three driving modes: two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and locked four-wheel drive. These modes are driver selectable via a rotary controller on the centre console.
Two-wheel drive mode is ideal for dry, paved surfaces with ample traction, and since only the front drive wheels are employed, it also ensures the most efficient, and thus most economical operation.
Four-wheel drive mode is considered the 4008’s regular mode of operation, and allows an electronic control unit to determine the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. The control unit employs sensors to evaluate the driving conditions, and the amount of traction required, and then splits the power between the front and rear drive wheels accordingly.
In this mode, the majority of the drive will still be front axle-biased, with the rear wheels adding further grip when required, for instance when traction becomes compromised, or when negotiating sharp corners.
The third driving mode 4WD Lock mode ensures continued traction when the going gets tough. In this mode, all four wheels are constantly employed to maintain grip, even when traction is several compromised. At low speeds, some 50 percent of torque will be channelled to the rear wheels, with up to 82 percent available to the rear wheels in extreme conditions.
The Peugeot 4008 accelerates from 0 -100 km/h in 10,9 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 188 km/h. In SUV terms, its combined-cycle fuel consumption of 8,1 litres/100 km is further proof of the all-terrainer’s efficiency, while CO2 emissions are rated at 191 g/km.
PRICING
The pricing, warranty and maintenance plan details for the new Peugeot 4008 are as follows:
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4008 2.0 CVT Active R363 900
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4008 2.0 CVT Allure R388 500
A five-year/100 000 km warranty is standard on all Peugeot 4008 models, together with a five-year/100 000 km full maintenance plan. The purchase price also includes five years of free emergency roadside assistance.
