Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4

Cars that emit less than 100g/km of CO2 are big news these days. Double-figure emissions currently guarantee free road tax, low fuel bills and exemption from London’s Congestion Charge. The latest model to join the sub-100g/km club is the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, but it’s only the entry-level model that qualifies.

It emits 99g/km of CO2, while higher spec cars, such as the Limited Edition model we drove last week, emit 104g/km. That’s because the basic model doesn’t feature options such as heated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof or large alloy wheels, all of which increase emissions. It still gets kit such as cruise and climate control, though.

But the real star of the show is the diesel-electric drivetrain. A 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine powers the front wheels, while the rears are driven by a 37bhp electric motor. Not only does this set-up return low emissions, but claimed average fuel economy is a mightily impressive 74.4mpg. The electric motor can power the car for around three miles on its own before the engine has to assist. Over a 12-mile urban test route, we saw 85.6mpg – over 10mpg more than the official figure.

During everyday driving, you’ll struggle to notice there is anything special about the HYbrid4. Apart from the silent and smooth driving in electric mode, it feels like a standard 3008. The stop-start system cuts in and out virtually silently, and the engine itself can only really be heard when accelerating hard.

The drivetrain adds about 100kg to the 3008’s kerbweight, and because of that the HYbrid4 isn’t quite as agile as the standard car. The ride isn’t quite as supple, either, but acceleration is quick enough, with the electric motor helping the 3008 to sprint from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds.

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