First look Peugeot 3008 compact off-roader

It's the diesel hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain underneath, which will be available globally from 2011, including Australia.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia spokesman, Mathew McAuley says the diesel hybrid is on the company's wishlist.

"It would have pretty strong appeal I think," he says.

"Peugeot is keen to be first to market with the diesel hybrid."

The 3008 hybrid will have a conventional HDI engine up front driving the front wheels with an electric motor under the rear luggage floor next to the rear suspension to drive the rear wheels.

The production hybrid will be heavily based on the 2.0-litre HDI Prologue concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show last year.

That car delivers a combined fuel figure of 4.1 litres/100km and C02 emissions of just 109g/km.

In Europe, the conventional petrol and HDI versions of the newest Pug wagon go on sale within months.

It will line up with the Mitsubishi Outlander-based 4007.

McAuley says both the 3008 and 4007 should have strong appeal locally.

"We are still on the product plan for the 4007 but it's timing is unknown," he says.

"And the 3008 goes on sale in the UK (a right-hand drive market) at the end of 2009."

Both cars could arrive in local showrooms early next year.

Based on the 308 hatch, the 3008 adds a high-riding SUV-style body and a host of technology Peugeot hopes will put it at the forefront of the competitive compact off-roader segment.

It uses several new technologies, including dynamic roll control and grip control.

There is also a heads-up display, distance alert, automatic parking brake, hill assist and a raft of telematic systems for navigation and on-board entertainment.

Roll control is a passive hydraulic system built into the rear suspension cross-member that connects the two rear shock absorbers.

It acts like a third shock absorber to flatten body roll in corners and eliminate pitching.

Grip control is an advance traction control system with special 16-inch mud and snow tyres.

It has five settings standard, snow, off-road, sand and ESP off controlled by a rotary knob on the centre console.

Visually the car borrows 308 cues, such as the forward-positioned windscreen.

Like the Outlander/4007, the 3008 has a split tailgate and raised driving position.

Inside, there is a `multi-flex’ interior with a three-position floor and folding rear seats.

With the rear and front passenger's seat folded, the 3008 has a flat floor from the tailgate to the dashboard.

Luggage space is 512 litres with the rear seats and 1604 with the rear seats folded.

The 3008 borrows its underpinnings from the 308, including front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension, as well as a normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol, turbo 1.6-petrol and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre HDi engines.