The ‘Allure’ of something très different

What is it?

Of a four-model 3008 range, it’s one step up from entry Active.

The 3008 Allure has got some surprising features and some typical French quirks — some good, some not.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbo four, producing 121kW at 6000 revs, and 240Nm at just 1400 revs. That’s thanks to a small turbo.

Transmission is a 6-speed dual clutch auto (EAT6). That’s a little surprising given the push towards seven, eight, and even nine speed transmissions.

Economy is rated as 7.0L to 7.3L/100km. The difference is simple; Peugeot gives the 3008 a drive system called Grip Control that’s accessed via a dial located in the centre console. When activated it consumes slightly more fuel per kilometre.

What’s it cost?

December 2018 has the Peugeot 3008 Allure at $40,990 plus on roads. Peugeot’s website says $45,068 driveaway and that’s with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Straight up that seems a bit of coin, but you get a powered tail gate, wireless smartphone charging, 18 inch alloys, and a good looker to boot.

The Allure is a compact machine, sitting on a relatively new and flexible, platform called EMP-2. Overall length is 4447mm and with a wheelbase of 2675mm means the packaging is well balanced.

Head, leg, and shoulder room are ample, as is the cargo space at 520 litres.

Rubber is from Continental at 225/55/18 and provides the 3008 with sensational ride and handling. A kerb weight of 1380kg assists in the handling.

Safety is reasonable with Active Blind Spot Assist, Advanced Driver Attention Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, and 360 degree camera.

Autonomous Emergency Braking is not standard in this model.

Driving assistance gets the extra fillip of City Park, with both parallel and 90 degree parking assistance. Satnav is standard, as is Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and screen mirroring.

At the rear and sitting between Peugeot’s signature claw tail lights is a powered tail gate. It’s one with kick activation, an unusual feature to be found at this price point — but, like all kick tail gates, it’s hit and miss.

The 3008 Allure has the i-Cockpit, a 12.3 inch widescreen LCD full colour display.  It’s easy on the eyes, with clear graphics and changeable screens depending on the drive mode.

The driver is separated from the passenger by a rising line from the passenger side that meets the dash under the centre airvents, along with switches for items such as climate control and audio. They’re retro in style and form a gateway, as such, to the features offered by the touchscreen.

Another quirk comes in the location of the bonnet release. Normally one would expect to find it as a lever either near the driver’s right knee or ankle. Here it’s in the very bottom of the join between door and footwell, not unlike the way the vents in the doors meet the outlets in the dash.

The Allure has ambient lighting and a scent diffuser for a gentle caress of the senses. An assault on the senses comes from the superb-sounding DAB equipped audio. There’s some real power to this, with a kick to the belly in tunes that have a driving bass line. AC/DC sounds extra special.

Trim is a mix of a grey, almost denim look, with leather on the seats. They’re grippy and supportive on the sides, and comfortable to a T.

Outside LED driving lights sit above Peugeot’s signature shark-fin motif for the base of the headlight cluster. The chrome grille is located in a bluff, bullish nose, whereas then 3008 in profile is smooth and willowy.

The review car came with the option combo of Metallic Copper and Neo Black for the roof, broken by strips of chrome.

There’s a solid sheet of polyurethane along the bottom of the doors and each bumper, with each end also copping some bright work.

What’s it go like?

Gear selection is another quirk. The selector is a handle affair like you’d expect to see in a fighter plane.

A button on the right hand side must be pressed to disengage the lock, then it’s a single or double tap-pull for Neutral and Drive. But before this, the brake pedal must be pressed and pressed hard for the Start/Stop button to work.

Too many times what felt like excessive pressure wasn’t enough, yet a couple of extra millimetres of push would have the driver’s screen show it was now okay to press Start.

That aside, once you’ve rocked the lever back to select Drive, there is the typical twin clutch hesitation before forward motion is possible, and a couple of minor stutters when the box is cold.

Normal driving conditions see the gears change silently and seamlessly. Harder work has the more typical blink and change.

There’s plenty of urge from idle thanks to peak torque being available so low in the rev range. It makes driving the 3008 Allure an absolute doddle and a delight.

At any point in the rev range it’s responsive, pulls cleanly, and importantly, the rapid velocity change adds to safety when overtaking.

Handling is nigh on perfect. The steering rack has a slow speed ratio that pulls the nose around rapidly, but more gently at highway velocities.

Suspension damping is spot on too. On just about any driven surface there’s a softness to the ride that has a magic carpet ride quality.

Given the ostensible off-road capability of the car (which it will never see), it’s one of the best ride and handling packages you’ll find in class and price point.

It’s supple, absorbent, firm and progressive, and never gives a severe reaction.

What we like?

• Ride and handling belies the price
• Overall driving experience is so enjoyable
• Excellent sound system

What we don’t like?

• Unnecessary French quirkiness
• Unnecessary French quirkiness
• Did we mention the unnecessary French quirkiness?

The bottom line?

Peugeot seems to be one of those brands that are on the tip of people’s tongues. Now under the same importer’s umbrella as another big niche player, Subaru, the company hopes brand recognition returns and the brand will be seen as an alternative to the vehicles available from the Asian based brands.

Considering the dynamics of the 3008 Allure, that’s a fair call.

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