The key to power is versatility.
Ahead of the Paris motorshow, Groupe PSA detailed its intent to accelerate its group-wide electrification plans by launching electrified variants of every new model starting in 2019. The proverbial ink hadn’t yet dried on that report when they announced the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense ahead of its motor show debut, and with that still hot, they’re now talking about their next brand, Peugeot.
While DS debuted a model to showcase its new powertrain, Peugeot’s more established presence in international markets meant it was enough to engineer a new propulsion system that would fit into its existing models. The HYBRID and HYBRID4 setups marry PureTech turbo-petrol mills to electric motors, either fitted at the front or at both axles, offering performance, efficiency, economy, and versatility, as well as healthy power outputs that’ll keep people excited.
The HYBRID and HYBRID4 powertrains (the latter offering all-wheel drive) will be fitted to Peugeot’s biggest passenger cars, namely the 3008, the 508, and the 508SW. With batteries ranging between 11.8kWh and 13.2kWh in capacity, fitted beneath the boot floor (into “specific storage” they claim), the largest battery pack offers up to 50km of range on a full charge, with recharging for all battery sizes taking less than 2-hours using a ‘wallbox’ charger.
The PHEV powertrains have demanded a slight rethink inside, and so Peugeot’s vaunted iCockpit instrument cluster has been tweaked slightly as to better provide pertinent information to the driver. You’ll now be able to access things like engine efficiency, fuel & power consumption, and driving information without much fuss, thanks to a dedicated direct-access button on the centre touchscreen infotainment system.
In the 508 & 508SW, Peugeot will fit the HYBRID powertrain, meaning it won’t be all-wheel drive. Paired to a PureTech 180 petrol engine up front, maximum power output is rated at 165kW, while fuel efficiency is “optimised” and emissions are reduced to “less than 49g/km of CO2.” In the 3008 however, Peugeot will fir the HYBRID4 system that provides all-wheel drive. Again with a PureTech mill, it works in tandem with two electric motors (one on either axle) to provide a maximum rated output of 147kW. 100km/h can be hit in just 6.5-seconds, while all-electric shove is capped at 135km/h.
Both HYBRID and HYBRID4 powertrains will use an e-EAT8 8-speed automatic transmission exclusively, something that PSA says is limited to Peugeot cars. The HYBRID4 powertrain will be limited only in GT-badged cars, while the HYBRID system could (could) be available a bit wider across the lineup. The first PHEV Peugeots will debut in Europe in "the summer of 2019," so we can expect to see Australian introduction a while later.
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