Peugeot gets Active

I got to test Peugeot’s 3008 GT Line early this year and came away very impressed. First, the new 3008 is nothing less than a radical departure from its predecessor. While the previous model was virtuously practical, it had wallflower styling that seemed to appeal more to soccer moms more concerned about child seat mounts and baby stroller-carrying capacity than eye-candy styling.

The new model, on the other hand, is an outright head-turner, from its bold and very upscale-looking grille and expressive headlamps, to its svelte side panels, windowline and artfully shaped C-pillar, to the distinctive “lion’s claws” three-bar LED taillights. In one model change, the Peugeot 3008 morphed from a homely MPV to a sexy SUV/crossover.

Instead of baby seats, strollers, and groceries, you’d expect to see golf clubs or an expensive mountain bike being carried by this stylish crossover. Or an elegantly attired couple in the front seats off to the theater.

The only catch? The price. At P2,890,000, the new 3008 GT Line model cost over a million bucks more than the old one — substantially over the budget of many households.     

Thankfully, Peugeot Philippines is addressing that pricing issue. To continue its aggressive strategy towards increasing and solidifying its presence in the local crossover-SUV segment, it has introduced a new and much more affordable 3008 Active variant. Following the footsteps of its highly desirable 3008 GT Line, this new variant comes at a price point that is whopping P500,000 less than its GT Line sibling.

“Peugeot is proud to unveil the first stage in its long-term goal of bringing its products to a wider and truly global audience,” Peugeot Philippines President Glen Dasig said. “To achieve this, we are making our vehicles more accessible to the market while still providing the same driving experience and comfort found in our current range,” he added.

Similar to the GT Line variant, the Peugeot 3008 Active Diesel possesses a unique and distinctive style. Its dynamic silhouette highlights an athletic and aggressive stance, creating one uninterrupted flow from the concave radiator grille with edged trims and chromed facets to the gloss black rear panel incorporating Peugeot’s signature claw effect LED lighting. The slim halogen headlights complete the look by providing the vehicle a feline-like appearance. It rolls on stylish 18-inch polished alloy wheels wrapped by generously sized 225/55R-18 all-terrain rubber.

Inside, the Peugeot 3008 SUV Active features a modern and sophisticated cabin. Peugeot’s critically acclaimed i-Cockpit provides the driver the utmost in comfort and accessibility with an elevated driving position, compact steering wheel, touchscreen controls, and a futuristic all-digital dashboard.

Infotainment comes from an eight-speaker Bluetooth/USB audio system with an eight-inch touchscreen display and steering wheel controls. Upscale features include full-grain leather steering wheel with two-tone stitching, electric parking brake, cruise control, fully automatic dual-zone climate control, and one-touch front and rear power windows with anti-pinch protection.    

Both front seats have multiple adjustments (including height) while the 60:40-split rear seats have a “Magic Flat” folding feature. Safety features include dual front and side airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, ISOFIX seat mounts, rear parking sensor, Advanced Grip Control (with five Grip modes), Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

At the heart of the Peugeot 3008 SUV Active is a 2.0-liter turbocharged Euro 4 diesel engine also found in the GT Line. With an exhilarating output of 150hp and 370Nm of torque, the turbocharging technology found in the 3008 Active provides more power and consumes less fuel than other non-turbocharged vehicles with a similar displacement. “No compromises have been taken in making the Peugeot 3008 SUV Active more attainable,” Mr. Dasig said. “This is proof that Peugeot has taken serious interest in expanding its reach in the Philippines by providing products that are priced very competitively against its rivals,” he added.

Since formally opening in 2012, Peugeot has grown throughout the Philippines and currently has a total of seven dealerships nationwide.

The Peugeot 3008 Active Diesel is now available in select Peugeot dealerships nationwide with a price of P2,390,000 and comes in three exterior colors: Bianca White, Nera Black, and Artense Gray.

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