Besides being a rather pretty seaside region, Rance on France’s west coast is the site for the world’s second-biggest tidal power generator. So it was appropriate that Peugeot chose this eco-friendly backdrop for the launch of the world’s first full diesel electric hybrid, the 3008 Hybrid4. Coincidentally, the region also has a combination of winding rollercoaster roads, town driving and freeways to give a good indication of how well this set-up performs in the real world.

The 3008 crossover may not be new, but its drivetrain certainly is. Up to now, hybrids have been designed using petrol engines because of diesels’ inherent drawbacks of lack of revvability and higher emissions. The Peugeot mates a 120 kW 2,0 litre particulate-filtered HDi, driving the front wheels, with a 27 kW electric motor driving the rear. The really eyeopening figure is the combined peak torque of 400 N.m.

That gives you not only a hybrid powertrain, but also four-wheel drive ability.

The layout allows either the diesel to operate, or the electric, in normal 2wd running, with the option of 4wd where needed. A four-position drivetrain switch allows selection of the desired mode – ZEV (zero emission), sport, 4wd or auto – but Peugeot suggests leaving it on full auto for best management of the hybrid system.

In general driving we clocked between 5 and 6 litres/100 km, but in a town circuit driven with economy in mind we got our average down to an impressive 3,8 litres/100 km. Overall, the system operates seamlesssly, and the automatic transmission’s gearshifts are particularly slick: the electric motor is actually used to smooth out the shifts. Incidentally, the compact electric component of the drivetrain is located in the rear suspension and takes up about as much space as a spare wheel. The Hybrid4 doesn’t, in fact, have a spare wheel: it is supplied with a get-you-home pump system to refill the tyre in the event of a puncture.

For the moment, the Hybrid4 won’t be coming to South Africa.

Download wallpaper images of the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4.