Paul Tan's Automotive News » Peugeot

Peugeot ends its Le Mans endurance racing programme

Danny Tan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:15:27 +0000

Racing, and winning, is good for the brand, but it takes up a lot of resources, which is not abundant in lean times. So many manufacturers have pulled the plug on racing recently, and this time it’s Peugeot announcing that it will end its endurance racing programme with immediate effect.

This means that Peugeot will cease to challenge Audi in sportscar racing, something the French manufacturer has been doing very well. Peugeot ran variants of its diesel 908 prototype in the famous Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans series since 2007. The lion’s finest hour was the Le Mans victory in 2009. Last year, Peugeot won the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup title.

“This decision has been taken in the context of a difficult economic environment in Europe. Peugeot has chosen to concentrate resources on its sales performance in 2012,” Peugeot said in a statement yesterday.

Peugeot’s decision means that this year’s World Endurance Championship will be a lonely affair. Looking further ahead, Toyota has a new LMP1 programme and Porsche is set to join the sport.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim hands over Pug 308 Turbo to ‘Gimme More’ winner

Anthony Lim — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:11:46 +0000

Lim Hui Min of Kuala Lumpur didn’t expect to be having two Peugeots in her household, but now she has. The owner of a 207 sedan now has an additional Pug, in this case a 308 Turbo, and she didn’t have to fork out a sen for it.

Lim was chosen ahead of 434 other Pug 207 owners as the winner of the Peugeot 207 Gimme More campaign, which sought to reward customers who purchased either a 207 or a 207SV during the campaign period, which ran from July to December last year.

Participants were required to answer three questions and complete a slogan describing what they like the most about the 207. A total of 50 winners were selected from the entries, with Lim bagging the grand prize. The following 20 winners received an iPad2 each, while the remaining 29 winners received exclusive Peugeot merchandise.

Local Pug boys Nasim recently handed over the car to Lim at a special handover ceremony at Peugeot Puchong. Speaking at the ceremony, Nasim COO Datuk Samson Anand George said that the campaign gave the company a chance to see just how creative its customers were in describing what they liked the most about the 207.

“It wasn’t easy picking the 50 winners and judging by the response we received, there are many proud 207 owners,” he said.

Lim’s winning entry was: “I love the Peugeot 207 because it brings back the joy of driving!”
The 33-year-old IT consultant, who purchased her 207 in September, said she came up with her slogan while in her car during heavy traffic.

“I was stuck in a jam and the idea came to my mind. I like the stability and smoothness of the 207. I didn’t think I would win, so it was a pleasant surprise,” she said. Despite winning the 308 Turbo, Lim said she will continue to drive her 207 while her husband will use their brand new ride.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 208 introduces new 3-cylinder petrol engines

Paul Tan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:05:43 +0000

Peugeot has introduced a new family of 3-cylinder engines with its latest B-segment segment contender, the 208 hatch. The new 3-cylinder engines come in two capacities – 1.0 litre and 1.2 litre, and are built at the firm’s Trémery factory in France.

The 1.0 litre 3-pot lump makes 68 hp and a peak torque of 95 Nm from as low as 3,000 rpm, which is a sign of good VVT tuning as it is a surprisingly low RPM for an engine that doesn’t make use of any funky (and potentially expensive) tech like direct injection. The 1.2 litre does even better – it does 82 hp and its peak torque of 118 Nm comes in from as low as 2,750 rpm. We hear a turbocharged version of the 1.2 liter 3-cylinder will be produced at the Douvrin plant later this year.

We’re familiar with the rest of the petrol engines – a 1.4 VTi, a 1.6 VTi and a 1.6 THP, all from the 4-cylinder BMW-PSA Prince engine family. The 1.4 does 95 hp and 136 Nm of torque, while the normally-aspirated 1.6 litre does 120 hp and 160 Nm. The top-of-the-line petrol 4 potter turbo does 156 hp and 240 Nm, with a 260Nm overboost, mated to a 6-speed transmission. The other petrol engines are mated to 5-speeders.

The 208 also comes with a range of oil burners, with the baseline being a 1.4 litre HDi FAP making 68 hp and 16 0Nm. The 1.4 litre is also available as an e-HDI engine, which means it is equipped with Peugeot’s automatic Stop & Start system.

The addition of the auto start/stop system improves the 1.4 litre’s fuel economy and emissions from 74.3 mpg and 98 g/km CO2 to 83.1 mpg and 87 g/km CO2. There’s also a 1.6 litre diesel in two tunes – 92 hp / 230 Nm as well as 115 hp / 285 Nm.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 208 Ice Velvet – limited edition of 650 units

Anthony Lim — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:44:34 +0000

Peugeot has announced a limited edition 208 called the Ice Velvet – it’s based on a three-door version of the new hatch, which will enter the market shortly, and the edition features an exclusive paint finish and comprehensive equipment levels. Only 650 examples will be made, and released across 18 markets in Europe; France has an allocation of 208 units.

The edition’s satin paint finish gives the exclusive 208 its name, and the exterior shade is complemented by chrome detail on the bodywork – the radiator grill, fog lamps, panoramic glass roof and rear view mirrors wear dark chrome, while the exhaust pipe and window surrounds are in bright chrome. The car also gets 17-inch Technical Grey alloy wheels.

The interior is fitted with a Peugeot Techno TEP trim and high quality stitching, and features for kit a large touchscreen, satellite navigation, directional static lights, front lights with LED signature and DRL function, automatic air conditioning, blue guide lights for the panoramic glass roof and sports seats, among others.

The variant will be equipped, according to country, with either a petrol 1.6 VTi 120 engine linked to a manual five-speed gearbox or a diesel 1.6 e-HDi 115 engine, which is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, complete with a satin chrome gear knob.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 107 gets reworked for 2012 – hatch gets new face, upgraded interior and enhanced equipment

Anthony Lim — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:02:28 +0000

Peugeot has given its 107 a restyling job for 2012, and the update includes a new face and an upgraded interior, with enhanced equipment also in the mix.

Leading the way in for the rework is a new front styling job, with a deeper lower front panel that includes a housing for the front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and a redesigned front bumper.

Three trim levels are on offer, these being Access, Active and Allure, and within these trim levels, features such as Peugeot Connect Bluetooth, USB and daytime running lights are now to be found for the first time on the 107 range.

In addition to the new equipment available, the second facelift for the car (it was originally facelifted in 2009) also sees better equipment being offered across the model range, which continues on in both three- and five-door form.

In its petrol form, no change mechanically – the 107 carries on with the 1.0 litre three-cylinder unit as found previously, still offering 68 hp at 6,000 rpm and 93 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Performance specs for the five-speed manual transmission version is a 160 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h time of 14.2 seconds.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Five-fold mega SUV shootout: Mitsubishi ASX v Nissan X-Trail v Honda CR-V v Hyundai Tucson v Peugeot 3008!

Danny Tan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:35:33 +0000

Granted, the sport utility vehicle segment has a different luster than that of more than a decade ago, when the class was fresh and burgeoning, and manufacturers were falling over each other to fill the slots in the new opening. Then, robustness was generally the operative word, so an SUV had to be tough to tackle terrain and yet be compliant enough for urban use. Not the easiest thing to manage, you can imagine.

Time – as well as trial and error – has seen the category become more refined, and the sparkle these days is probably better at wooing buyers. A more focused scope has come about, with the need to be able to traverse the great outdoors in rugged fashion pretty much left behind, like it should have been in the first place. Today’s SUV is very much a suburban-centric offering, aimed at the urban crowd for which a sedan doesn’t have enough space and presence, and a MPV too much, and boringly so.

Now, most of us know how capable these vehicles are, taken on their own, but how do they fare when pitted against each other? With that in mind, we decided to take a closer look at how they match up, pitting five examples – the Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 – in a quintet face-off to see how it all shapes up.

There are other contenders, namely the new Kia Sportage, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the long-in-the-tooth Ford Escape as well as the likes of the Chevrolet Captiva, for example, but adding more than what we ended up with would have made the task unmanageable. It’s all nice to read a nine or 10 SUV shootout, but doing one is another thing altogether.

That said, on with the show to see which one ends up as the king of this particular hill.

EXTERIOR

Danny says

The five SUVs assembled here range from a big box to one not much bigger than the hatchback it’s based on, from building blocks to fluidic sculptures, so there’s bound to be one to suit one’s taste. Agree?

I’m not much of an SUV kind of guy (the Audi Q5 is another matter), and there is no overwhelming favourite for me either, but I like the blend of sharp lines and compact proportions of the Mitsubishi ASX. This deep shade of red probably isn’t the most flattering, and it could do with a sportier set of wheels, but I like it best.

The most flamboyant of the group by a mile is the Hyundai Tucson. It’s very eye-catching, and like Anthony, I like that muscular rear three-quarters view the best. Not so in love with the fussy face, but this is a great example of a self-confident, expressive design, as opposed to the “play safe, don’t offend” looks of previous gen Koreans. It’s a gamble, but it’s paying off big time for Hyundai.

Never liked the popping eyes + double grille look of the CR-V, which for reasons unknown, brings a startled hippo to mind. The Honda is no longer repulsive thanks to familiarity, but it’s not pretty either, which brings us to the Peugeot. The 3008 is just too odd for me – the proportions, overhangs, and that face – I just don’t get it. Would love to interview the designer someday, just to know what inspired him. I quite like how its MPV sibling 5008 looks, though

One can’t fault the X-Trail for being a box, because that’s wholly intentional on Nissan’s part. The carmaker says that first-gen X-Trail owners (and there are many of them) love their SUV’s macho square cut lines, so they made more of the same. And with more rivals going the crossover route, the “keep it true” X-Trail may find itself serving a large number of taste buds.

As they say, one man’s meat…

Harvinder says

Lets face it. Looks are somewhat important when you talk about cars and it’s correct to assume so in this case. Good looking cars somehow attract us, but at end the of the day, if a car is good looking to one it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good looking to another. All subjective, to say the least.

In the case of these five SUVs I must admit that two cars stand out from the pack. One is the Peugeot 3008, while the other is the Hyundai Tucson. I think you can safely guess why the 3008 is in my standout list. Well, yes, you’re right, it stands out because it does look a little quirky, perhaps a little too modern for today’s tastes.

Don’t get me wrong, the 3008 does have some good angles, but definitely not as many compared to the rest of the line-up we have here. The taillights remind me of strawberries for some reason, while the front makes me think of JAWS. Weird, I know, but that’s what crossed my mind. Then we have the Hyundai Tucson at the end of spectrum, something that has gone through a lot to come this far.

At first glance, the Tucson strikes you as a good looking thing. Very sweet and pleasant from almost any angle. Hyundai’s designers have been working around the clock to come up with the designs they have now, which I must say, are rather appealing. In this case, just like other Hyundais at the moment, the form is treated with the fluidic design concept and it’s working well here.

However, I do feel that the car is a little too ‘fluidic’ for me, if you know what I mean. There’s a tad too much on the design lines, which I consider the only off-putting thing the Tucson has in terms of design. Nevertheless, that’s just me as the design seems to the be cup of tea to many out there, and I can understand why.

As for Nissan X-Trail, I find this one a bit too utilitarian, a little too boxy. It looks as though it has a lot of design elements that doesn’t seem to fit well together. At times, I feel that some design elements on the X-Trail are afterthoughts. The Honda CR-V seems like a decent looking offering, with the right proportions and not overcooked. However, I think the Tucson comes up ahead of the X-Trail and the CR-V in the design department.

Among all the SUVs we have here, I consider the Mitsubishi ASX as the SUV with the right balance in the looks category. I like the fact that it has Mitsubishi’s trademark jet fighter grille. The aggressiveness is a nice touch and it doesn’t breach the “too much” point in the scale. The ASX looks very good from almost every angle, and is the only SUV here that really looks like a car.

Overall, the Hyundai Tucson and the Mitsubishi ASX are my choices in terms of design. Comparing both, I find that the Tucson is a bit too flashy for me, probably like a model who has a little too much make up, while the ASX feels about right.

Anthony says

The assembled bunch looked every bit the motley crew, what with the box-like X-Trail mixing it up with the flowing Tucson, and the ASX and 3008 looking more crossover than SUV. An interesting mix of shapes, to say the least.

From an aesthetics point of view, the X-Trail isn’t going to win any contests for being the curviest creature, or indeed the sexiest thing on four donuts. With a shape that feels like slabs chunked together, this is very much a box on wheels. The utilitarian shape, however, hints at the volumetric scope within, and you just know this one – which is larger than the first-generation model – is going to offer loads of it. Function over form, indeed.

The Tucson takes its place at the other end of the swing, and showboats all those curves and swoops like it’s going out of fashion. Certainly, there’s nothing reserved about how it parades its wares, though I have reservations as to how the lines will hold up as time progresses. I love the rear though, viewed straight on from behind; of the five, it’s the derriere with the most flair and appeal.

As for the CR-V, the third-generation model is heading towards its end of duty tour, but retains a balanced appeal about it. Not the most exciting, the RE, but plying the safe route means the exterior has held up well enough over the four years plus of its life cycle so far. For sure, the buying public has found – and continues to find – its quiet elegance to be more than agreeable, and this includes my other half; the CR-V here happens to be her vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot rolls into the fray here looking a bit of an oddity, like it doesn’t quite belong. It’s the smallest looking vehicle of the bunch, and the shape drew mixed opinions from the team. I quite like the front from certain angles, but for sure it’s not the type of vehicle you’d gawk at the whole day. The European influence in its lines is unmistakable though, and it does look very solidly hewn compared to the Asian opposition.

Finally, the ASX. It’s the one with the leanest, most athletic stance, essentially looking very much the prowler. The wedge front works for me and the overall lines offer good proportionate scale, despite its lack of overall mass.

Indeed, it’s my pick of the five from the exterior point of view, the ASX. I’ve always preferred my cars lean and on the smaller side, and while the 3008 may also be so, its disposition is a bit too soft and too rounded for my taste. I’ve gotten so used to the CR-V it’s become a familiar shoe, so it doesn’t have quite the charm it once had. You can probably tell the X-Trail doesn’t work at all for me, and it never did even with the first incarnation. The Tucson’s flash is striking though, so it’s a close second in my books.

INTERIOR

Danny says

Throughout our test period, I spent the most time in the Nissan and Peugeot, collecting the former and returning the latter to their owners. I love the X-Trail’s cabin for its excellent view out (lots of glass, square corners) and comfort. The fabric seats are big and cushy, typically Nissan, and there’s nothing to learn or get used to – you just step in and drive.

However, the spartan look and feel may be a disadvantage in the showroom, making Nissan look stingy. But that’s not entirely true either.

While the X-Trail lacks some basic kit such as climate control, leather and buttons for the steering, as well as flashy toys such as the Hyundai’s push start button/panoramic roof, Mitsu’s 2-DIN head unit or Honda’s cool instrument panel, it’s the only car here to come with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat as well bi-xenons, kit that even the “fully-loaded” Euro-spec Peugeot doesn’t have. And if given a choice, I’d have those over auto air con and auto cruise.

It’s a car that that the family will love as well. Tall seating position, high roof, large windows and the useful boot trays with compartments are good for road trips or ronda-ronda sessions.

The Peugeot is a good family car as well, if you have a small family with young kids, that is. The expansive panoramic glass roof is spectacular, but rear legroom is very tight. Passable if someone my height is seated in front, but if they are tall, rear knee-room can go down to almost nothing. The 3008 must be tried for size, because it’s not for all.

It’s for those who want some sports car feel from their SUV. The Pug’s driving quarters is very cozy and enclosed, with a sloping centre stack and a tall centre console that divides the front section into two distinct areas.

It’s very cockpit like, and the driver is boss, which matches the driving character of the 3008. He/she is faced with plenty of toggle switches and twin pod dials. There’s also the much boasted head-up display (HUD), although I personally find this to be rather gimmicky.

Unlike BMW’s version, the image here is shot on a separate screen that can be erected by a toggle switch, and although the image (only digital km/h) can be adjusted for height, I still had to lower eye focus to view it, defeating the very purpose of HUD. The operation of the screen in our test car was also very noisy.

That aside, I wasn’t very comfortable with the angle of the left foot rest, and my idle foot became quite restless as a result. This is an unusual observation, since I’m usually immune to many ergonomic challenges pointed out by Paul and Harve.

Step into the Honda CR-V and it becomes clear why this is THE SUV to have for many upper middle-class households. It doesn’t have as many toys as some other cars in this test, or even as much soft touch plastics, but feels the most premium from behind the wheel. This isn’t easy to explain, but the lighting, that nice MID between the dials, the brushed trim, the tactile quality of the knobs and buttons, and the full house centre stack gives off a full-function, technical and expensive feel.

I also like the abundance of storage spaces and cubbies in the Honda, derived from locating the gear lever on the centre stack. Rear passengers are also in for a treat – legroom is superb in this company, although it could feel even more spacious with a lighter coloured cabin, as opposed to black.

The Mitsubishi ASX, which also has a dark room cabin, is much less spacious than the CR-V inside, something the spec sheets won’t tell you – the ASX’s 2,670 mm wheelbase is actually 50 mm longer than the Honda’s.

The good stuff surrounds the driver – nice sporty steering wheel, long magnesium shift paddles, clear (almost VW/Audi like) dials – but MMC has improved perceived quality over that in the Lancer.

The dash areas closest to occupants are now padded with soft touch plastics, as are the door caps. The multi-info display is colourful and high res, a big improvement over the jagged figures in the Lancer. Also, the instantaneous FC bar also has a “bookmark” for the average done so far, so there’s extra motivation to be light-footed, if that’s your direction.

The head unit is the usual locally-fitted (by MMM) Kenwood system, which isn’t the most user friendly, but it’s feature-packed (reverse camera, DVD player, large full colour touch-screen, etc) and looks impressive, so no complaints.

Last but not least, the Hyundai Tucson. Just like the bold shell, Hyundai has gone for showcar dashboard design that matches the exterior bravado. Lots of sweeping curves and elements means your eyes are in for a workout. There’s this theme of two opposing kinks in the overall dash mould, the centre stack as well as the steering wheel. As with modern Hyundais, the theme is blue. I can understand the modern, techy appeal of the Tucson’s dash, but personally I prefer something more subtle and refined.

Plenty of adjustment available in the Tucson, so driving positions for various sizes shouldn’t be a problem. Outward visibility is not great in this group, a high waistline and shallow windows see to that. Off the shoulder rear view is also poor, but with such a design, you can’t win it all. The showroom appeal and many toys (keyless entry, push button start, integrated stereo with USB, iPod and AUX input) might delay the dreaded knuckle rap, which reveals hard plastics. They don’t feel super nasty or cheap though, and is not an issue to many.

It’s also good that our 2.0 High Spec test car comes with a panoramic glass roof (split into two, like the W211 Merc E-Class, Sonata YF), since the cabin feels rather enveloping and dark in this company.

In terms of design, in and out, the Tucson is everything the X-Trail isn’t, vice versa. One is unapologetically utilitarian and functional, the other designed to wow and impress. I want some from both ends, and like the CR-V’s blend of good comfort and space, plus premium feel dashboard.

Harvinder says

The cabin is one of the most important things one should consider when buying a car, and unfortunately many potential buyers or owners out there spend less time thinking about a car’s interior before making the decision. It is a place where the driver and his passengers will spend most of the time throughout the ownership experience.

Before I continue with my bit on the interior, I must point out that out of all the SUVs we have here, three are Japanese, one is Korean while another is French. Now, I don’t think I need to emphasize that when it comes interior, the European guys have been doing it well and the Asian rivals, although some are pretty good, are still playing catch up in this department.

To me, I feel that is is true in this case at least. The Peugeot 3008 to me, has the best interior when it comes to tactility and comfort for the driver. As soon as you get into the driver’s seat, you’ll instantly tell yourself that “this is not a driver’s seat, this is a cockpit”. The driver’s section is truly like a jet-fighter’s cockpit with the centre dash somewhat focused towards the driver.

Even the switches and knobs make you imagine you are in a car with wings. The tactility of the interior is pretty good as well, with soft-touch materials in the right places. Personally, I take seat comfort seriously and it is important to have something that is able to support your back properly. It pays when you have those long distance drives and to me, the seat also plays a role to making you feel that you are in a premium vehicle.

The French have got it right with the 3008. The front seats are very comfortable and they offer the best support among all SUVs we have here. I particularly like the headrest design, which reminds me of the ones used in the W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. You can tilt it forward to better support your lower neck.

Other features like the glass roof, the rear two-piece tail gate, dual zone air-conditioning and electric parking brake is a nice touch too, but I do agree with Danny on the part HUD portion which is a bit tricky to use. The major downside of the 3008’s interior is that the rear legroom is a little on the tighter side of things. It’s not a very comfortable place for large-sized occupants. Also, it would be great to have a fully-electric front seat, at least for the driver.

The Nissan X-Trail is not a bad place to be in either. It does look a bit utilitarian on the inside, with a rather simple feel to things, but it is quite comfortable and the space, including the rear cabin, is pretty good too.

If you’re okay with the simplistic approach, the X-Trail’s interior can be a nice place for you to be in. There are plenty of compartments, including a double luggage floor system, as well as a 6-way adjustable power seat for the driver, which interestingly is not offered with rest of the SUVs we have here.

The Honda CR-V also has a decent interior and for some reason, it does feel a little premium despite not having many soft-touch surfaces. Honda seems to be good in doing this, even with less expensive cars like the entry level City.

To me, the most striking thing about the CR-V’s interior is its rear legroom, which is very good. You’d be a very happy rear passenger; it’s reminiscent of the Civic, which also offers good legroom space. Just like the X-Trail, storage compartments are very much adequate in the Honda. There are also features like dual zone air-conditioning and cruise control, similar to the 3008.

Just like the exterior, the interior of the Hyundai Tucson also has carries over the flowing design. It looks pretty good if you ask me, but there is a let down though. The interior does not feel premium and it is even outperformed by the X-Trail, if you ask me. There are hard plastics everywhere and even for a car that has done over 30,000 kilometers, the interior felt worn a little, which isn’t a good thing.

Don’t get me wrong, the design is nice, but you have to wonder if it’ll last the distance. Things like the start-stop button are nice to have, but it does little to overshadow the flaws. The ASX has a decent interior which doesn’t look cluttered and at the same time, it doesn’t look cheap as well.

The seating position for the driver is just about right, making it a better option for those who like a sporty feel behind the wheel. I find that the full colour high-resolution LCD multi-information display nestled in between the instrument gauges quite a cool feature to have, thanks to a fuel consumption monitor that incorporates both instantaneous as well as average readings. The rear cabin could have used a little more legroom though.

Overall, I find that the Peugeot 3008 has the best interior; I can make do with the smaller rear cabin, although I really feel that an electric driver’s seat should have been included.

Anthony says

From an interior perspective, the differences in character continue to show. With practically most of the time being spent in the driver’s seat during the comparo, there was little time to delve in detail the sub-practicalities of things such as boot space and rear seat comfort levels, save for the CR-V, which I’m, erm, rather intimate with.

First up, the Tucson, which lends its allure through more sweeping contours on the inside, as well as with a host of tech bling – there’s stop-start button ignition and an auto dimming rear view central mirror, for starters. These mask the lack of items such as cruise control and going the manual air-conditioning route.

If there’s a gripe with the Tucson’s interior, it’s with the presentation – no complaints about how the layout is presented, but the design elan notwithstanding, the hard-looking plastics cheapen the visual appeal considerably. There are also questions about material durability. The interior of the evaluator, with more than 30k on the clock, looked a bit worse for wear. For example, the engine stop-start button’s wording was already looking quite worn, hence the questions.

Still, there’s much more fanfare in it than on the likes of the X-Trail and ASX, which both feature rather austere cabins. The ASX, with its blackened interior, feels the more spartan of the two, and is reminiscent of the Lancer sedan’s bare approach. It’s more premium in feel though than the Lancer material-wise, so points for this.

The ASX also doesn’t feel as small as you think it would be. The cabin is intimate, but not claustrophobic, even if larger-sized drivers in the Mitsubishi look like they’re driving a Hyundai Getz (not my words). The driving enthusiast will find much to like in this one, with everything presented in line with the vehicle’s sporty pretensions, as will those who like their porridge plain.

Meanwhile, the X-Trail offers very much the same path, presenting a cabin that looks plain bare upon first glance. The plastics are typically Nissan, serviceable but not the final word in premium. This plainness is offset by plenty of practical features – cubby holes and storage space are to be found galore, and items such as rear air-con vents, for example, add to the list. And that volume suggested from the outside is translated when you’re in the vehicle. It feels downright spacious, the X-Trail does.

A note too about its seat comfort, which is the softest in terms of comfort of all the five vehicles; it is a little bit too soft for my liking, especially over long distances, but many will no doubt value its plushness. The Peugeot’s front seat, however, is the standout for me.

The Peugeot’s cabin also features the best material and trim, clean and unfettered, but all hewn together in solid fashion and very elegant in its presentation. Cabin space, however, feels pinched, and if you have tall occupants in front, it’s bad news for those in the rear, where legroom is concerned.

And the 3008 still feels lacking in open and accessible storage space, as previously noted when I drove it during its original media test drive a good while back – attempts to house wallet, phone, keys and cigarettes without having to call in the large storage box were as challenging as before. I still think there’s a photon torpedo launcher housed underneath that huge-assed centre console tunnel, but the firing button is proving rather elusive to find.

So, of the lot, my pick is with the CR-V’s interior. It’s easy to forget how well Honda gets it right where it matters – aside from the excellent rear legroom, the cabin presentation has a premium feel to it, even if there’s not much bling and fanfare in terms of tech and features.

The plastics may be hard, but they don’t look cheap, and the centre console layout, along with the instrument cluster – especially lit up at night – is fetching. It’s not quite Pug territory, but it’s well ahead of the rest of the group. Storage in the CR-V’s front is more than adequate, though there are quirks elsewhere, like where the 12V socket is placed, which is set too low and difficult to access, especially in the dark.

Still, throw in items such as cruise control and auto climate control as well as the small, almost imperceptible tactile bits (the feel of the switchgear operation is a perfect example) and you can see exactly how the Honda scores where it counts.

PERFORMANCE

Danny says

Although it’s no sports car, the Peugeot is the sports car of the group. It’s the only Continental on call here, and preaches Europe’s downsizing philosophy – direct injection, smaller capacity, forced induction. The 156 hp it makes is no big deal in our 2.0L SUV party, but it’s the turbo engine’s 240 Nm from a mere 1,400 rpm that makes all the difference here.

This gives the 3008 useful punch away from standstill, and good flexibility. Although the pace is subdued a little from the 308 Turbo, which it shares its drivetrain with, possibly due to the extra weight, it should be more than enough go for those shopping in this segment. The official 0-100 km/h time is 9.5 seconds – it practice, the 3008 feels faster than that. As usual, it’s smooth revving and quite linear in delivery.

We must also mention the six-speed automatic gearbox, which is a quantum leap over the “Porsche Tiptronic” four-speeder of old. It’s still not the fastest or snappiest torque converter auto around, but it no longer has a mind of its own, and is competent enough to not annoy.

The “sports car of the group” rep isn’t just from the pace, though. The 3008 feels quite agile and pointy in the bends, and the way the car resists body roll is impressive. This flat stance encourages one to push harder, since there’s no clumsy weight transfer to put you off. No, it doesn’t claw into corners like a hot hatch, but one can at least make the most of what he has in the Peugeot with ease. Sacrifices? Ride comfort is not the best, others soak up bumps better.

If there’s an element from the other SUVs I would want in the Peugeot’s drive, it’s the ASX’s steering. Direct and blessed with good feel, the Mitsu’s helm is as “sporty” as the wheel itself looks. The ASX is also good to drive, but one downside is the lack of cruising refinement. There’s a good deal of road/tyre roar seeping into the cabin. I wonder if a tyre swap would help…

The ASX carries over the Lancer’s 4B11 engine and CVT gearbox. I’m not a fan of CVT, but the transmission works well, and there’s always the manual mode when the mood arises, although it still doesn’t feel 100% natural in those six virtual ratios.

For non-fans, the company in the best position to persuade is Nissan. Their Xtronic CVT works like a charm in the Sylphy and the X-Trail we have here. It’s the CVT, as advertised. Mostly smooth and cohesive like the best torque converter autos (except pedal to metal from rest, perhaps), I never once used the manual mode because I couldn’t have done it better. There’s real connection between the speedo and tacho needle, and the drivetrain feels almost resistance-free as you pull away.

Stats that read 139 PS and 198 Nm look below par on paper, but the X-Trail’s smooth flowing style meant that I didn’t crave for more go. The only time it felt lacking was when we were searching for top speed way above the speed limit – a lot of effort was needed to get past the 130-140 km/h zone.

That easygoing drivetrain is part of a similarly likeable package. The X-Trail’s ride comfort is best of the lot for me, soaking up bumps like they were never there and staying rock steady on the highway. We get our supply from Indonesia, so perhaps it’s the local tuning to suit the harsh roads there at work? Whatever it is, our roads aren’t great either, so it’s all good.

All these fit well with a tall ride height with cushy seats and good all round visibility, making the X-Trail a great urban machine and a soothing long distance one.

The Honda CR-V would have also been a good highway cruiser, if not for its hyper sensitive steering. It’s good for the most part, but I found myself feeding constant small inputs to keep it on course during highway drives. It’s not a major or safety issue, but it meant that I wasn’t fully relaxed, and my hands got tired after awhile.

Other than that, the popular segment leader is typically Honda. The engine revs happily with a familiar mechanical buzz, and is quite nice to work on, although more grunt would have been very welcome here. The five-speed auto is as precise and quick as ever. The CR-V’s well judged ride is firm, but never crashy or noisy.

Which leaves the Tucson. I truly admire Hyundai’s brave new direction with its latest products, which has dramatically increased desirabilty. Their cars are now technically on par with class leaders, if not better, and there are plenty of toys to maximise showroom appeal. For me though, the most effective weapon in their new arsenal is design, capturing the imagination of many who previously overlooked Korean wheels. Perfect cars then?

Not yet. Technically, all’s good, but the Tucson (and Sonata) aren’t class leaders in subjective matters. For instance, while the 2.0 Theta II engine’s 166 PS and 197 Nm sound impressive and provide decent go, the engine isn’t the smoothest revving four-pot around, and is quite resonant in the third half of the rev range. The six-speed gearbox, while competent, isn’t as intuitive as the Honda’s, for instance.

There’s not a lot of mechanical grip either – I’ve seen the ESP light come on in corners where I didn’t expect any help. And steering, a very subjective thing, is something that Hyundai-Kia has yet to master.

But these finer points are invisible to the majority of buyers, so we don’t blame Hyundai for not putting “driving pleasure” and “finesse” as top priority. If I were them, my resources would have went into the exact same areas: on paper spec, equipment to wow and bold design.

Strangely, I ended up preferring the X-Trail in this segment, although the Peugeot’s pace and Mitsu’s steering are on the wish list. For me, SUVs are family cars, and the Nissan’s ride comfort, ease of use and silky drivetrain is the best combo here. Looking in the rear view mirror, my family agrees too!

Harvinder says

Now to the part I love the most. Let us start off with the CR-V. It comes with a 2.0 litre i-VTEC that makes 148 hp and 190 Nm of torque from 4,200 rpm. The numbers are anything but impressive, and unfortunately with 1,540 kg to haul it feels as if the CR-V can do with a more powerful engine.

Acceleration does feel heavy but once you’ve reached a set cruising speed, the power issues fades away, until you slam the accelerator to overtake the car in front of you, that is. The shifting of its five-speed automatic is decent enough and the electric power steering feels a little heavy at times, but it’s not really an issue to me.

Its ride comfort is good, with no irritating bumpiness whatsoever. In terms of handling, I find the CR-V performance at an average level. The X-Trail’s MR20DE twin-cam engine has less power than the CR-V, at 137 hp, though torque is slightly higher, 198 Nm to be exact, from 4,400 rpm. It does pull away slightly better than the CR-V, and it uses Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission, with a six-speed manual mode.

To be honest. I am not a fan of the CVTs – I find the sound that the engine makes because of it being rather irritating. However, the Xtronic isn’t that bad and it works smoothly, or fluidly, to use another term. Acceleration is effortless; however, it does take a while for it to achieve higher speed. In terms of ride comfort, the X-Trail does well in absorbing bumps and irregularities. At the same time it is also firm enough for high speed travel. The Nissan boys have got it right with this one.

The Hyundai Tucson’s Theta II 2.0 litre engine is quite powerful on paper, with 164 hp and 197 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm, and carries over the power into actual driving. It does however tend to sound a little rough when you rev it hard. The power unit is paired with a six-speed slush box, which does its job well enough, although it could use a little more refinement.

This applies to the drivability of the Tucson as well. It handles good enough for normal day-to-day driving and its un-refinement is easily hidden if you don’t push the car hard. Even so, you can actually toss the Tucson around corners, though it would definitely benefit from a more refined handling and a steering with a better feel. In terms of ride quality, this Korean seems to be a bit stiff, a little bumpier on the rough roads.

The Mitsubishi ASX is one car that seems to excel in the handling department. This is one SUV or crossover or what ever you fancy that handles like a car. Agile and nimble would be the right word to describe the ASX. It is no Megane RS, but among its rivals in this shootout, it is right at the top.

You can practically chuck it around bends and it won’t bite back, as long as you don’t go overboard. The chassis seems to communicate with you well through the steering wheel, which also offers a good feel. In terms of power, it is decent with its 2.0 litre DOHC MIVEC putting out 148 hp , identical to the CR-V, and 197 Nm of torque at 2,400 rpm.

Although quite similar in terms of power figures, you do feel more punch in the ASX. This also joins the X- Trail in offering a CVT unit with six-speed manual mode.

Finally we have the Peugeot 3008, which doesn’t really give us an apple to apple comparison in terms of engine type when put against the other four SUVs we have here. There are two major differences. First up is the fact that the engine is a 1.6 litre, instead of a 2.0 litre with the rest. Secondly, it is force-inducted. It is basically the same engine as the MINI, the rather famous 1.6 litre Prince unit.

It makes 156 hp and most importantly, 240 Nm of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. The higher torque at lower revs proves to be very instrumental in zipping around traffic. Overall, you can safely say that 3008 is the most powerful of the lot, all thanks to the turbo, so no issues at all with acceleration and getting fast quickly. The Pug uses a good old six-speed transmission, which works without a fuss.

The ride comfort is pretty good, with high levels of comfort too. In terms of handling, you can take some pretty serious corners with it, but I still prefer the ASX. Something about the latter’s character makes the whole driving experience sportier. Overall, my pick would be the ASX in regards to overall performance from the SUVs we have here.

Anthony says

Ambling along the highway isn’t how one should define which of the lot to be the best, but the time spent plying the route did reveal a fair bit about each vehicle’s character; there was some hard driving done briefly on each later, which revealed yet more, but given that 99% of these SUVs owners aren’t likely to subject their rides to such, most of the basis – for me at least – was from that gleaned waltzing along.

The Tucson was my first ride out, and as before, when I drove it at point of launch, the 2.0 litre Theta II mill proved willing to get things moving. It feels perky from the get-go, buoyant in its character; conversely, it feels that bit less refined when pushed, and can be a bit zingy at the top end. As a cruiser the Tucson does well enough, though there is a fair amount of road noise, and the steering needs a bit of corrective input in terms of straight-line retention, but the light, easy feel of the rack makes it simple on the shoulders.

The plastics notwithstanding, the itemisation of the layout and switchgear operation in the Hyundai is pretty much fuss-free. One minus is the lack of reach adjustment for the steering, something that is also an oversight on the X-Trail and ASX. Seat comfort is decent, though not group-leading.

As a driver’s car, or crossover, if you prefer, the ASX is by far the leader of the assembled five-pack. The level of steering feel and communication is by far the highest of the lot, as is the vehicle’s response to dramatic changing load/direction. Agile, in a flamboyant manner, the main reason why you’d want one is because you love to drive, with everything else secondary.

Meanwhile, the 3008 drove well, and the turbocharged Prince 1.6 mill chugged along with the least amount of strain of all the engines throughout the drive. It felt like it was consuming the most fuel, based on the onboard readout, but this proved to be deceptive (see fuel consumption section below). In-cabin comfort is high, and the plushness of the interior, despite that pinched feeling, makes doing the miles all that bit easier.

Still, its size means that it is at a slight disadvantage compared to the rest of the crowd here, the ASX notwithstanding. I still don’t think it’s a SUV, which it was tagged when it was launched. A good compact-ish crossover for the young urban family, yes. Super utility people mover, er, no. Drives well though, so it gets brownie points here.

From an interior perspective, the Nissan simply overwhelms the rest. The rather-too-soft driver seat aside, everything about the X-Trail screams functionality. It isn’t the fastest, nor the most agile, nor does it have the sense of presence or grandeur. But there’s acres of space in that cavernous cabin, and something about it works, at least to me – I found myself liking it more with every passing mile.

Easy to drive, there’s nothing imposing in its character; it’s vanilla, really – you get in, turn the key and get to your intended destination without fuss, fanfare or any sort of emotion, for that matter. All that functionality, dished out in a completely neutral manner. It isn’t as bad as it sounds, actually.

Finally, we come to the CR-V. I spent the least amount of time in it during the test session, but driving it regularly keeps reminding me why so many view it as the de facto choice in this market when it comes to putting their money on the table for a mid-price, mid-size SUV.

Yes, the 2.0 litre block can feel slightly underpowered at the lower end pushing that mass (it felt the laziest of the lot in start-offs). The steering is also on the heavier side of things, and needs quite a bit of corrective input during highway driving.

But in every other sense, the Honda gets it right. From the tactility of the switchgear operation (which makes all the others, save the 3008, feel cheap) to the interior presentation levels, the CR-V feels good to the touch and sight. It is agile enough when asked, and balanced would best describe its overall level of driving engagement. In all, it feels well thought out, the type of product that you know a copious amount of time has been spent refining all the key points. In this regard, it’s an absolute toss-up between the neutral functionality of the X-Trail and the refined, cultured presentation of the CR-V.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

During the group test drive, we travelled 412 km from the Klang Valley to Ipoh, and back. It included stop and go traffic, town driving and, of course, highway cruising along the PLUS Expressway.

The route we selected allowed us to test the cars in various road conditions where we spent quite a bit of our time on the highway. During the test drive we also carried out a fuel test for all the SUVs involved, with measures employed to ensure accuracy such as adhering to the 110 km/h national speed limit, keeping a safe distance between the cars, ensuring that all cars are driven by all test drivers (to make sure all SUVs get a consistent driving pattern overall) and so on.

Here are the final results:

Peugeot 3008 (1.6 litre Turbo) – 7.37 litres / 100 km
Mitsubishi ASX (2.0 litre NA) – 7.5 litres / 100 km
Honda CR-V (2.0 litre NA) – 8.3 litres / 100 km
Nissan X-Trail (2.0 litre NA) – 8.6 litres / 100 km
Hyundai Tucson (2.0 litre NA) – 8.7 litres / 100 km

The 3008 took the top honours, with the ASX following closely behind. These were the only two which breached the 8.0 litre per 100 km mark following the test, and the 3008’s lower displacement (and turbocharger) 1.6 liter engine likely has contributed to its number one spot here.

It’s also interesting to note that the ASX, which uses a normally-aspirated 2.0 litre engine, achieved 7.5 litres per 100 km, just 0.13 litres behind the 3008, which makes it the most fuel efficient vehicle among its 2.0 litre competitors and it is also very comparable to the Pug.

We reckon that the ASX achieved almost similar numbers due to its engine tune, its MIVEC (or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) calibration and of course its transmission tune. The engine also utilises a lightweight aluminium block which helps the ASX achieve positive such results. We must also take the vehicle kerb weight into account. It appears that the ASX is lighter than the 3008, with a kerb weight of 1,375 kg. Its French rival is 1,450 kg in comparison.

CONCLUSION

Danny says

Big or small, boxy or curvy, there’s an SUV for every one. No lemons here, just entries that excel in various areas. At the end of the day, it depends on what you want out of an SUV, whether as a great family wagon (Nissan fits the bill, Peugeot is out), a personal urban mobile (Peugeot and Mitsu are compact enough and drive well) or great value and bold design (Hyundai).

I love to drive, but I also view the SUV as a family car, which means that practicality and comfort are high in the list. The Honda CR-V is a good all-rounder, but I like the honest, self-confident X-Trail. The Nissan is comfortable in its own skin, and will make you feel as comfortable, too. As for those itchy moments, I’ll buy a cheap fun car.

Harvinder says

Overall, there’s no obvious winner here – all the SUVs here definitely pass the minimum requirement, so it’s a matter of personal choice. You should also look at other factors such as safety features and pricing. The 3008 comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating which is made up by 6-airbags, ESP and ISOFIX points, among others. It retails for RM146,888 (all prices here are OTR including insurance).

The Tucson on the other hand has two airbags and ESP and it retails at RM139,888 for the 2.0 litre High Spec. The ASX is also fitted with dual airbags and ESP (or ASC, as Mitsubishi calls it). Also in the list is Hill Start Assist. The ASX goes for RM139,980, which is similar to the Tucson. The CR-V comes with four airbags and ESP (or VSA) and it goes for RM149,980.

Finally, the X-Trail, which goes for RM149,500; it comes with, yes, you guessed it right, dual airbags but without ESP, which is interesting to note. It only has ABS with EBD and BA. That’s a bit of a downside, given a price tag that’s a shade off being the most expensive of the lot. To me, the fight would go down between the Mitsubishi ASX and the Peugeot 3008, if I were shopping for an SUV.

Anthony says

There wasn’t a runaway pick of the heap, not where I’m concerned; it’s nice to see how close things have gotten in the segment that there wasn’t one dominant player. The ASX is my weapon of choice from a driving perspective – the CVT aside, it is engaging, to say the least. But that’s never the only reason why one buys a vehicle in this segment. and its size means that those shopping for a full-fledged SUV may find this crossover too small for their needs.

The same goes for the 3008. Pluses are a highly refined interior and tractable, crowd-pleasing mill, but its lack of heft may preclude it as a straight choice to most. Its appeal lies with those who find the allure of a Continental offering winsome, and provides those seeking an alternative to the predominantly Japanese/Korean crowd a perfect option. A small family (quite literally, for rear occupants!) is also a prerequisite.

The Tucson shows how much the Koreans have closed the gap, but still, haven’t quite gotten the cigar – there are key areas in which its lack of absolute refinement shows it up (it’d have been very interesting pitting the plusher Sportage cousin into the mix against the Japanese competition). Still, the external shape is light years ahead of the previous one, and its main point is that it now offers a serious contender as an alternative if you don’t want to go with a Jap offering, and think a Pug is too much work.

In the end, from the assembled crew, I’d take my pick from the X-Trail and CR-V. I didn’t expect the X-Trail to figure as highly as it did – looks truly can be deceiving. I liked its honesty; it doesn’t paint anything more into the picture than it should, and it goes about everything in such clean, unfettered fashion there is much to like about it and its character.

As for the CR-V, well, its strength is in its overall presentation and coherency – here, it never led in any particular aspect, but scored high and kept pace with its overall level of refinement and, most importantly, its consistency in delivery across the board. A large number of buyers have likely found that very essence – and composition – appealing, given the numbers shifted through the years. With this household being one of these, I’m not inclined to disagree with the collective, that plying the safe, consistent route is not such a bad thing. The tick goes in this box for me then in this particular five-way.

Look after the jump for mega photo galleries of all 5 contenders.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi ASX

GALLERY: Honda CR-V

GALLERY: Nissan X-Trail

GALLERY: Peugeot 3008

GALLERY: Hyundai Tucson

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim opens Peugeot Blue Box Sungai Petani in Kedah

Danny Tan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:28:23 +0000

Nasim Sdn Bhd, official distributor for Peugeot in Malaysia, has opened the Peugeot Blue Box Sungai Petani in Kedah. This is part of a network expansion drive that has yielded five new outlets in 2011. The other new facilities are in Melaka, Kota Bharu, Balakong and Kota Kinabalu.

With Sungai Petani onboard, there are now a total of 21 Peugeot sales outlets and 19 service centres in Malaysia. Operated by Le French Lifestyle Sdn Bhd, a unit of the Chye Seng Group of Companies, Peugeot Blue Box Sungai Petani is a 3S centre offering sales, service and spare parts.

The outlet is equipped with the Peugeot Planet System Diagnostic tool that can perform full static and dynamic diagnostics on the vehicle’s management software. It can also be utilised to carry out software updates. Peugeot Blue Box Sungai Petani is equipped with two service bays and can service up to six vehicles per day.

Nasim is also looking at a great year in terms of sales growth. As at end November 2011, the Naza Group company has sold 4,949 units, which is 92% higher than the volume sold in the same period in 2010. In addition, Peugeot sales in Malaysia as of end October 2011 accounted for 86% of the French carmaker’s total sales in the ASEAN region.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot wins Le Mans Cup for the second year

Anthony Lim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:32:08 +0000

Peugeot finished off the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 season on a winning note, with a one-two finish at the six-hours of Zhuhai race in China last weekend securing a sixth race win – and a fourth one-two – in seven races for the automaker. It had earlier secured the ILMC manufacturer and team titles at the Petit Le Mans race in the United States in October.

At Zhuhai, Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Bourdais, in the number 7 Peugeot 908, claimed victory ahead of teammates Franck Montagny and Stéphane Sarrazin, who were in the number 8 Peugeot 908, after a close race in which the Peugeot 908s once again combined performance, reliability and endurance.

After making its competitive debut this season, the Peugeot 908 celebrated its fifth win in seven races, and the car has displayed exemplary reliability, with only one DNF this year, low fuel consumption and low tyre wear on its way to victory.

The 2011 ILMC season has also seen five pole positions, 13 podium finishes and seven fastest race laps for Peugeot on its way to bagging the championship, which had the 12-Hours of Sebring, 1,000 km of Spa-Francorchamps, 6-Hours of Imola, 6-Hours of Silverstone, 24-Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans in Atlanta and the 6-Hours of Zhuhai as the races.

The manufacturer’s title was secured with 211 points, with Audi a distant second on 119, while for the team title, Team Peugeot Total finished with 113 points, ahead of Audi Sport Team Joest on 85 points.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot Blue Box Kota Kinabalu commences operations – Peugeot 508 also introduced in Sabah

Anthony Lim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:55:54 +0000

Nasim has launched its latest Peugeot centre in the country, with the opening of Peugeot Blue Box Kota Kinabalu earlier today – the event also saw the unveiling of the Peugeot 508 in Sabah. Peugeot Blue Box Kota Kinabalu comprises of a showroom at the 1Borneo Hypermall and a 2S dealership for after-sales services in Kolombong.

In June this year, Nasim appointed Angkatan Hebat Motor as its sole dealership in Sabah. Angkatan Hebat Motor is a unit of Angkatan Hebat, the fleet management services provider to the Sabah state government, and is also a dealer for several commercial and passenger vehicle brands.

As part of Nasim’s agreement with Angkatan Hebat Motor, the latter will look into expanding its Peugeot network to a few other cities in Sabah from next year onwards. Once these dealerships are in place, Nasim is confident of achieving its target of a 2 to 3% market share of the passenger car market in Sabah.

“With the launch of the Peugeot Blue Box Kota Kinabalu, we are confident the all-new 508 will be a success in the Sabah market,” said Nasim COO Datuk Samson Anand George. “Peugeot Blue Box Kota Kinabalu is part of an expansion drive by Nasim to ensure the Peugeot brand has representation in all the major markets in the country,” he added.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 208 to enter the market in spring 2012

Anthony Lim — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:07:45 +0000

Peugeot will introduce its 208 hatchback into the market next spring, and the car will be available in both 3-door and 5-door form. The company says that the car represents the most ambitious specification overhaul ever undertaken by the marque, and the result is a vehicle which it says represents a true generation leap.

It’s slightly shorter and lower than the outgoing 207 (-70 mm in length, -10 mm in height), but will offer noticeably increased occupant space, with more room in the rear seats (+50 mm at the knees) and a more generous boot (+15 dm3 in volume), while at the same time being significantly lighter, about 110 kg lighter on average compared with the 207, and as much as 173 kg lighter.

General exterior design cues on the sculpted and athletic looking vehicle include a ‘floating’ grille, light signature and ‘boomerang’ rear lamps, but the two body types have been given an entirely different treatment, says the company.

As for the interior, that’s pretty much reworked through too – the instruments and controls, for example, have been completely re-thought to become entirely intuitive and clear, and are positioned around a small steering wheel, a “head up instrument panel” and a large touch screen.

Around 25% of the car’s plastics are recycled or of natural origin; as a world first, the rear bumper and the fan assembly are made entirely using these materials. Peugeot says this type of bumper alone will permit a saving in manufacturing of 1600 tonnes of fuel a year.

Five diesel models, four of which are equipped with the new generation Stop & Start (e-HDi), will be introduced at launch. As for gasoline mills, the 208 will introduce a new range of 3-cylinder petrol engines, in 1.0 and 1.2 litre VTi form. Expect more details on the Pug as it gets closer to introduction.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 508 1.6 litre 156 THP launched – RM170k OTR

Anthony Lim — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:53:18 +0000

Nasim launched the Peugeot 508 sedan earlier tonight in a single variant form, this being the 1.6 litre 156 THP. More than 100 pre-launch bookings have already been taken for the car, which rolls in at RM169,888, on-the-road with insurance.

Output figures for the EP6CDT Prince twin-scroll turbocharged mill are the by-now familiar 156 hp at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm, and the partnering transmission of choice is the AT6 six-speed auto gearbox, with steering mounted paddle shifters part of the package.

Performance figures for the variant include a 220 km/h top speed, a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.2 seconds and a combined drive cycle consumption figure of 7.1 litres per 100 km.

The kit list for the 1.6 156 THP includes just about everything as seen on the European spec’d model that we tested in Spain earlier this year – bi-Xenon headlamps with headlight washers and auto height adjusters, LED daytime running lights, leather seats, colour head-up display, eight-way electric-powered seats for the driver / passenger and push-start ignition.

Other standard issue items are six airbags, a 7-inch HD World in Peugeot multi-function colour screen (with USB and Bluetooth connectivity), four-zone air conditioning, an Intuitive Control Unit in the centre console, automatic electronic parking brake as well as steering-mounted radio/volume control and cruise control switches.

Also to be found, a Smart Beam function for the headlamps, where an intelligent camera – positioned at the back of the rearview mirror – analyses the driving conditions (vehicle being passed, lit urban areas sorta thing) and automatically switches the headlamps to high beam if the situation demands it, and reverting back to the standard beam if there’s on-coming traffic.

Elsewhere, there’s ESP, ABS, EBD, emergency brake assist, anti-skid regulation and DSC, as well as a Hill Assist system, front and rear parking assist (displayed on the 7-inch screen) and an Available Space Measurement (ASM) system, which aids the driver in parallel parking.

The 508 here also features the 10-speaker, 10-channel 500 watt amplifier JBL audio system with Arkamys audio processing that’s optional in Europe as standard fitment, and gets up-sized wheels to boot, in this case 18-inch twin five-spoke alloys, wearing 235/45 series tyres.

Four external shades are available for the 508, these being Pearl White, Bourrasque Blue, Aluminium and Haria Grey.

Oh, and the car actually has a navigation system, but it’s effectively dormant for now because there’s no Malaysian map as yet – owners will have to wait until next year before they can use it, when the map becomes available and retrofit loading is carried out. There are maps of France and Russia in the system right now, though it’s unlikely that an owner will want to drive his 508 that far just to utilise the GPS ….

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 908 HYbrid4 hits the track for the first time

Danny Tan — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:26:04 +0000

Peugeot gave the 908 HYbrid4 its world debut at Geneva this year. Since then, the dual powered Le Mans racer has undergone a shakedown at private PSA Peugeot Citroën venue, and more recently, hit the track for the first time. It was at Estoril, Portugal, for testing.

The car completed a little more than 300 km in the hands of Peugeot drivers Nicolas Minassian, Stéphane Sarrazin and Alexander Wurz. ”Our aim wasn’t to put a lot of kilometres on the clock, but to verify that all the chief functions performed,” said Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director Bruno Famin.

”It was important to analyse the data of each run to be sure we understood the results before moving on to the next step. The system functioned well and responded as predicted, which was very satisfying. At the same time, we started to make a few adjustments to the car’s basic set-up. It worked well, so that’s very positive,” he added.

The system employed by the 908 HYbrid4 recovers and stores the kinetic energy generated under braking, before feeding it back into the driveline during acceleration. This significantly improves the efficiency of the powertrain, says Peugeot. The diesel engine is a 3.7-litre V8 HDi FAP unit with 550 hp. It is aided by a short power boost of 60kW (80 hp) for a few seconds when it the system is activated.

Recovered energy (500kJ between two braking phases) is stored in lithium-ion batteries before being automatically released to power the rear wheels under acceleration (there is no “push to pass” function, however). It will also be possible to run in electric only mode along the pit-lane and it is this mode that will be used for the car’s homologation.

It won’t compete in Le Mans anytime soon, though. “We have no intention of rushing things. We are still on a learning curve and the endurance testing will come later,” Famin said.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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French flair: Peugeot 508 test drive report from Spain

Anthony Lim — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:04:54 +0000

The French have always had a certain fortitude and self-belief about them, nowhere more so than when it comes to their approach to cars. Love it? Tres bien. Indifferent, or not taken by it? Unlike the Italians, who would beg to disagree – rather strongly – if you happen to think one of their designs isn’t quite the trick, the same response from the French would be, well, it’s your loss then, because it is such a gem, non?

That cavalier train of thought, equivalent to an adage that ‘we build it the way we see it best, and so it is, indeed, perfect,’ has worked well enough in the past. And, up till the last few years, it has even gotten them by, even if fissures were starting to show.

Take the Peugeot 407, for instance. Lovely looking car, and sizeable enough, but what about that massive front overhang and oodles of unutilised space, which you could house a dog in (anyone remember the Italian incident with a 207)? The interior certainly wasn’t shabby, but rear passenger comfort seemed an afterthought. Not lacking in form, but questionably, function. Likewise the 607, hardly the commercial success, though that one was pretty much scoped from an era of such idée fixe still well and truly entrenched.

Well, a significant softening in approach has come about, one that suggests that the company, if not exactly abandoning core ideals, has adopted a less parochial view of things and a more global take on matters. This new fashion is reflected in something like the 508, Pug’s replacement for both the 407 and 607. Coming in from those, it’s almost radical, even.

Full story after the jump.

The M2, or D segment 508 is available in two bodystyles, saloon and estate (SW). The shape reinterprets cues from the stylistic codes seen on the SR1 concept, with a single grille rendered in a floating style and strong expression of the headlamps setting the tone up front – taut and dynamic are good descriptors for the car’s face. The sides are clean and balanced, and this carries on to the simple, but flowing rear. It’s a handsome car, the 508.

By and large, I’ve never really been gobsmacked by French offerings in the past, design-wise. The shapes haven’t really worked for me, or rather the manner the lines have been interpreted. For example, I still don’t think the 308‘s rear really gels with what’s happening up front. This one, however, threads everything together quite tidily despite its size, and organically so. Granted, it’s all shaded a bit on the conservative side, despite the sleekness, but it works – the SW is also every bit a looker, arguably more so in my books.

The car shares the same platform as the second-generation Citroën C5, and both vehicles are made side by side at the PSA plant in Rennes. To affirm that this is indeed a serious push on a global scale, the car is also being made in Wuhan, China for the Chinese market, though only the saloon is being sold there.

Presumably, the last has to do with how the car has shaped up, figuratively at least – Pug expects that China will be the largest market for the car, and with size and space being paramount in that particular arena, the 4.79 metre long (4.81 metre for the SW), 1.83 metre wide and 1.45 metre tall dimensions for the 508 means that it’s sized up – to wit, it starts by being 101 mm longer than the 407 in saloon form.

Other notable numbers include a reduced front overhang (- 43 mm) and increased wheelbase (+ 92 mm) and longer rear overhang compared to the 407. Oh, and with the increase in dimensions come much improved space for the rear passengers. All this volume, with a reduction in weight – the saloon weighs 25 kg less than the 407 version, while the SW weighs 45 kg less than its older equivalent, based on like-on-like engines.

As you’d assume, boot space is also up over the 407. The saloon offers 545 litres, while the SW has 660 litres, and with the split seatbacks folded, the volume goes up to 1,581 litres for the saloon and 1,865 litres for the SW.

A number of engine variants abound for the car in Europe, starting with the 120 hp 1.6 litre VTi form right up to the range-topping DW12C diesel, which is the 2.2 HDi FAP mill. The engine options for the car are less than that available for the 407, but the consolidated lineup – with the familiar 1.6 litre 156 THP Prince unit in there – works well enough.

Gone is the 240 PS and 450 Nm 3.0 litre HDi biggie of old, but the 2.2 HDi on the 508 has been reworked to offset that. Previously, in its DW12B form, the 2.2 litre turbodiesel offered 170 hp and 370 Nm; the revised DW12C incarnation now puts out 204 hp and 458 Nm.

Two front suspension setups are available for the car, a drop-link double wishbone and a more conventional McPherson strut type. The more sophisticated double wishbone is only available with the 2.2 HDi-equipped GT version, to offer dynamic road handling in keeping with the engine’s workings, as the company puts it, with the rest of the model range going the pseudo McPherson route. At the rear, a multi-arm suspension features across the entire model range.

As to why the intrinsically superior double wishbone front setup isn’t featured across the board, the answer is all down to both price and weight. Aside from cost, the pseudo McPhersons offer a weight saving of 12 kg over the double wishbones, and the Peugeot people explained that the gains obtained could be then put back into the car in the form of other equipment or kit, without bloating the final kerb figure. Nice explanation, actually; you can imagine a shrug of the shoulders as a response in days of old!

Similarly, the GT is the only 508 to get the new AM6 six-speed automatic gearbox (with paddle shifters), and the Aisin co-developed tranny features reworked bearings, segments, clutch linings, special oil and a new converter, among other elements. Gear change times have also been reoptimised, and the company says that on the whole the unit is quicker and smoother than the AT6, which features on the rest of the model range alongside a six-speed manual.

Elsewhere, three different-sized front brake discs are to be had; a 283 x 26 mm unit that equips three variants, a 304 x 28 mm unit on the 1.6 litre 156 THP and a 340 x 30 mm unit for the GT. At the rear, the entire range wears 290 x 12 mm discs.

Among the items to be found on a comprehensive equipment list are six airbags (dual front, side and curtain), ESP (which includes stability control, emergency brake assist and EBD), a colour head-up display, push start ignition, directional bi-Xenon headlamps with a LED signature, four-zone air conditioning, on-board navigation and a WIP Sound six-speaker audio system, with a JBL 10-speaker, 10-channel 500 watt amplifier system available as an option.

The Pug’s cabin feels roomy, a significant leap from that of the 407‘s, especially at the back. The front has good shoulder room too; my partner during the drive wasn’t a small chap by any measure, but the shoulder-to-shoulder space afforded more than ample distance proximity values, and throughout the drive comfort levels with regards to space – as well as seating – were high.

It feels premium as well, the interior – the layout may seem a bit homogenic from a flair context, but everything is presented very cleanly and with sophistication. Textures are good to sight as well as touch, especially with regards to primary contact and visual points. Certainly, there can be little for anyone to complain about in terms of trim and material.

Some thoughts about space for items though; large cubbyholes and boxed areas offer a total of 22 litres of cabin storage space, according to the numbers, and these are well workable, but the central console area still suffers from a lack of placement options.

The media drive took place in Spain earlier in the year, and there was a chance to sample the saloon, both in 1.6 litre 156 THP (with the six-speeder manual) and 2.2 HDi-equipped GT form. The course around Alicante took us up as far as Xixona, and provided an ample platform for the 508 to show what it was all about. We started out in the GT, which turned out to be a blast, because the car is definitely something to shout about.

The mill’s tractability is naturally the standout element – the low to mid-band punch makes light work of hauling the mass around, and exuberant best describes the character, but the rest of the car has an excellent vibrancy about it as well, more than enough to keep interest levels high.

The suspension’s suppleness and deftness of feel contribute to things, with plenty of useful information coming off it being particularly impressive. The chassis keeps pace as well, offering a good degree of neutrality and tracking ability. In all, the GT never felt cumbersome or slow, despite its size.

The changover point at Biar took us over to the 156 THP, which sobered things a little. The stick shifter helped to keep things fairly lively, at least for me, but it was hard to lose almost half the torque and not feel it.

Not that the Prince isn’t able – you can still get the car going, and there’s decent pull, but you’ll have to work the vehicle hard for the thrills. Pushed hard, the McPhersons also felt less inspiring than the double wishbones; not soft, mind you, just less refined in soaking up undulations and bumps. Indeed, with everything set more linearly, the entire focus shifts the presentation, making this one feel more executive than unbridled.

Once we’d settled down and stopped gunning it like we stole it though, the variant’s character began to shine through. Driven sensibly (well, it is an executive sedan, I can imagine some of you saying so right now), the 156 THP’s workings alluded that it would – coupled to the likes of the AT6 auto – feel very much at home in the urban scene here in KL, with its polished, refined mien offering plenty of appeal.

Still, the GT would be the pick of the 508 crop, and it’s easy to see why. Yes, I know, enthusing about a variant that isn’t coming here is a bit like telling you how great a toy is, but you’re never going to be able to play with it, but really, it’s a shame we won’t be getting the GT. You can imagine that the pricing won’t make it that competitive, besides the obvious as to why it isn’t coming, but that really is our loss.

For Malaysia, the 508 will come in a single form, the 156 THP (with the AT6 transmission), and the Prince is certainly strong enough a performer to carry the car for the intended target market. The car itself represents an impressive leap forward, coming in from the 407, and those into their Lions will find plenty to cheer about.

It will however find a new buying segment here; though it is the replacement for the latter, the shift in focus, translating to a shift in pricing, means that the 508 will come in at a higher price point than the 407. For the crowd looking for something along the old one’s lines from a price point of view, there’s the 408 over the horizon. Those who can bag it, however, will find in this one how the French have finally moved on. Tres bien? Certainly.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 4008 – French Mitsu ASX, with the lion badge

Danny Tan — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:56:54 +0000

Remember last week’s post on the Citroen C4 Aircross? That French take on the Mitsubishi ASX is part of a collaboration between Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen, where the former provides its models for the French to restyle and sell under their own brands. Such an arrangement is also in place for Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric car and Outlander SUV. This is “Peugeot’s ASX”, named 4008.

Like the Citroen C4 Aircross, the 4008 wears distinct Peugeot styling. But this isn’t the “big mouth” look of 308 era, but the sleeker look of the 508, which was first previewed by the SR1 showcar from Geneva 2010. Present are the floating grille, feline design of the lamp units and three red claws in the rear lamps.

The off roader image is emphasised by a vertical grille design and the inclusion of sill protectors and wheel arch protection trim. The almost-horizontal bonnet grooves and the ASX style line – which extends to the rear wing where it descends again crossing the lamp – are distinctive features.

Petrol engine options include a 116 hp/152 Nm 1.6L (5-speed manual) and a 2.0L engine with 150 hp and 198 Nm. The latter can be had with a CVT, from Mitsubishi. The diesels will be more popular, and there are two choices – 1.6L HDi FAP with 112 hp/ 270-280 Nm with overboost, or a 1.8L HDi FAP with 150 hp and 300 Nm. The diesels will be mated to a six-speed manual.

The 4008 will debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and will go on sale from Q2 2012. Do you prefer the looks of this, the Citroen C4 Aircross or the original Mitsubishi ASX?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 508 – new Lion to roar its way in later this month!

Anthony Lim — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:39:51 +0000

Click to enlarge.

Finally arriving on our shores, the Peugeot 508 sedan is – Nasim is set to launch the much anticipated Pug in Malaysia later this month.

The 508 we’ll be getting is arriving in just a single drivetrain form – that with a 1.6 litre turbocharged Prince engine, with the usual 156 hp and 240 Nm for numbers, mated to a six-speed auto tranny. No, there’s no 2.2 HDi FAP diesel, as intoxicatingly inviting as that one sounds.

The complete equipment level that’s available on the model hasn’t been disclosed, but the kit list will include quad-zone air conditioning, premium leather, a colour heads-up display (HUD) and an adaptive high beam system connected to directional bi-Xenon headlamps.

Click to enlarge.

Additionally, the car will come with paddle shifters and a 10-speaker JBL hi-fi system with a 500 watt surround sound amplifier, replete with Arkamys audio processing. No indicative pricing as of yet too, so we’ll just have to wait for the cheery news.

The launch coincides with yet another milestone recently recorded by Nasim. As at end September 30, Pug sales surpassed the 4,000 mark in Malaysia for the first time. “As at end-Sept, we have sold over 4,000 units, which is a new record for the Peugeot brand in Malaysia. This is double our sales in the same period in 2010, and surpasses our all-time record of 3,773 units in 2009,” said Nasim CEO SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin.

“The all-new 508 will further increase our sales volume this year. This premium luxury sedan will be targeted at executives and professionals that want a car with class, character and panache,” he added.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 tech showcased at Frankfurt 2011

Paul Tan — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:07:04 +0000

The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is expected to be the first series produced diesel electric hybrid in the world when its mass manufacturing starts soon, and word is that we might even see it launched here in Malaysia, if our diesel quality gets the green light.

The 3008 HYbrid4 combines a diesel engine with an electric drive. PSA Peugeot Citroën worked in close cooperation with Bosch to develop the electric components (motor, power electronics, and high-voltage alternator) and configure the ESP® electronic stability program specifically for hybrid vehicles.

Peugeot says we can expect a mixed usage fuel consumption of just 3.8 litres per 100km, and an average CO2 output of 99g/km. At the same time, the combined diesel and electric power puts out a total of 200 horsepower and 450Nm of torque, so you get the best of both worlds – loads of power and torque but if you choose to drive gently you get fuel efficiency as well! The 3008 HYbrid4 accelerates up to 100km/h in just 8.5 seconds and has a regulated top soeed of 191km/h.

The 163 horsepower 2.0 litre HDi diesel engine powers the front axle via a 6-speed automatic, while an axle-split concept developed by PSA and Bosch uses an electrically powered rear axle to give the 3008 HYbrid4 partial all wheel drive capabilities. The car runs on the diesel engine alone at speeds of above 120km/h. The diesel engine has a generator mounted on it – a Bosch SMG138/80 which acts as a high-voltage starter/alternator for the start-stop system and to supply power to the electric drive and the air conditioning system.

The rear axle module has a 37 horsepower 200Nm water cooled SMG 180/120 electric motor and a differential gear unit. When accelerating hard, it acts as a booster. In situations where more traction is needed, it provides additional traction by activating all-wheel drive. An additional benefit is that the rear motor can provide continuous power thus can “bridge” the situations where the diesel engine’s power is cut while the automatic transmission is shifting gears. In urban and stop-and-go traffic, the electric motor can function independently, allowing the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 to run as a zero emission electric powered vehicle, up to a range of about 4 km.

The car’s ESP (electronic stability programme) system was developed by Bosch. As you would expect, with two different power sources running different kind of transmissions, managing traction in situations that requires computer intervention can be a little complicated. The regenerative electric drive on the rear axle was restricted in order to safeguard vehicle stability in all scenarios. There are also two vacuum pumps – a second vacuum pump is required for the brake booster when in electric mode.

The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 will begin deliveries in the UK in November 2011, with certain exclusive UK customer deliveries to begin in October 2011. The first deliveries will be of a Limited Edition version, of which only 300 units will be made.

Look after the jump for a live gallery of the cutaway car.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 508 looking good at JPJ’s Putrajaya office

Harvinder Sidhu — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:22:15 +0000

Looks like local players Nasim is about to launch the Peugeot 508 sedan in Malaysia real soon. A reader by the name of Akmal has managed to snap some photos of the gorgeous-looking French sedan at JPJ Putrajaya where it is likely undergoing type approval for our local consumption.

I am not sure what is under the hood of this car but if I were a betting man, I would put my money on the 1.6 litre turbocharged BMW-PSA Prince powerplant which should offer enough kick for the 508 and at the same time keep fuel consumption low

The 508 sits on the platform that underpins the Citroen C5 and it replaces both the 407 and 607 models. According to our previous report, the sedan should have made its local debut earlier this month.

Although it is almost halfway through the month, the launch should be just around the corner. October perhaps? In terms of pricing, we reckon that the 508 could be priced close the Ford Mondeo’s price range.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot HX1 Concept MPV to debut at Frankfurt 2011

Paul Tan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:16:04 +0000

Peugeot’s latest concept car set for a debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is an MPV concept called the Peugeot HX1 Concept Car, but it’s not your usual soccer mom van – it’s low slung like a JDM Honda Odyssey.

The HX1 Concept measures 1,373mm tall, 1,990mm wide and 4,954mm long, as a comparison, the Peugeot 5008 is 1,638mm tall, 2,118mm wide and 4,530mm long.

At first glance, it looks as though the HX1 only has two rows of seats, with a maximum seating capacity of four. That’s because by default, the rear row is configured for maximum comfort or leg room.

If required, a “center row” can be created in between the front and rear rows thanks to the “pull-out seats” integrated into the back of the front seats.

The HX1 Concept also featured variable bodywork to optimize the car for aerodynamics at different speeds. A spoiler and two side skirts located at the top of the tailgate are deployed above 100km/h.

Power is provided by Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, which uses a 204 horsepower 2.2 litre HDi diesel engine coupled with a 95 horsepower electric motor, resulting in a peak output of 299 horsepower. The system uses a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The car also has plug in 240V charging capabilities and an electric only mode, which provides a range of 30km.

Look after the jump for pix of the Peugeot HX1 Concept.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim launches new Peugeot showroom in Kota Bharu

Anthony Lim — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:19:06 +0000

Less than a week after opening its 19th showroom in Balakong, Nasim has launched its 20th one in the country with the opening of Peugeot Kota Bharu in Kelantan. The launch marks Peugeot’s re-entry into the Kelantan market after the closure of its previous dealership there at the end of 2008.

Nasim COO Datuk Samson Anand George said the launch of Peugeot Kota Bharu was part of the first phase of Nasim’s nationwide expansion exercise, and under the second phase of Nasim’s expansion exercise taking place towards the fourth quarter of the year, three more Peugeot outlets will be opened. Upon completion of this, there will be 25 Peugeot outlets nationwide.

Peugeot Kota Bharu is operated and owned by Murni Millenia, and the company currently has a temporary showroom unit on Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra and a separate service and spare parts centre on Jalan Long Yunus.

In September, Murni Millenia will begin construction of a full-fledged 12,000 sq ft Peugeot 3S centre on Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, which will be renamed Peugeot Blue Box Kota Bharu when it begins operation in February 2012.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 207 Sedan at the IIMS 2011 is made in Gurun!

Paul Tan — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:20:15 +0000

There are two “CBU Malaysia” cars showcased here at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show. One is the Daihatsu Sirion, which is our new 2011 Perodua Myvi with a Daihatsu badge.

The other is a Peugeot 207 Sedan, which is featured at the the Peugeot booth. The 207 Sedan in imported into Indonesia from Naza Automotive Manufacturing’s plant in Gurun, Kedah. The NAM plant has become a right hand drive hub for this car.

According to a Nasim spokesperson, the first 207s landed in Indonesia in April 2011, and Naza has allocated a combined total of 400 units for both the Thai and Indonesian market for 2011. Thai exports began earlier, sometime end of 2010.

Look after the jump for a live gallery of the 207 at the IIMS 2011.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim launches its 19th Peugeot showroom in Balakong

Anthony Lim — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:55:09 +0000

There’s a new Peugeot showroom, and it’s in Balakong – the new outlet will cater to the demand for Peugeot in Balakong, South Cheras, Kajang, Semenyih, Seri Kembangan, Serdang and Bangi.

With the launch of Peugeot Balakong, there are now 19 Peugeot sales outlets in the country, 10 of which are in the Klang Valley. Following the latest opening, the company plans to open three more outlets throughout the country this year, at which point it will be represented in all major markets in Malaysia.

“We are also looking at launching a 2S centre in Balakong this year to cater to existing and prospective Peugeot owners. This new 2S centre will be located not too far away from the sales showroom and will be one of the largest Peugeot aftersales centres in the country,” said Nasim’s COO Datuk Samson Anand George.

Nasim also previewed the 207 SV at Peugeot Balakong today, which we wrote about earlier. If you’re interested in catching the car in the metal, head on over to the Motion and Emotion Tour 2011 at One Utama, which runs July 27-31.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 207SV with bodykit and leather – RM76,888

Danny Tan — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:03:45 +0000

UPDATE: Nasim has confirmed the 207SV’s price of RM76,888 OTR

Here are some pictures of a “special edition” Peugeot 207, posted by Peugeot Malaysia on their Facebook page. The captions for the pics reveal its name, which is Peugeot 207SV.

As you can see, the white example here wears a full bodykit, comprising add ons to the front and rear bumpers and side skirts. There’s also a boot spoiler to complete the five-piece set. The 207SV’s seats and door trim are covered with a mix of leather and suede, with a special logo (207 plus lion) on the two front seats.

We looked up “207SV” on Mudah and found it featured in a few ads. The specs listed by the sales personnel behind the ads are consistent with the above, with the addition of “door visor” that’s not present on this white car. It was also mentioned that the three available colours are black, white and red. There’s also a “chrome tail pipe”.

Both 207SV ads, including one from Nasim TTDI, listed the car’s price as RM76,888, which is RM4,000 costlier than the standard car.

The locally assembled 207 is powered by a 1.6-litre engine with 110 bhp/147 Nm, paired to a four-speed automatic with Tiptronic. The B-segment sedan was officially launched in November 2010, view our post on it here.

More pics of the 207SV after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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PSA Peugeot Citroen-Changan JV gets govt green light

Danny Tan — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:59:54 +0000

There’s plenty of car money to be made in China, and everyone is either striking deals, building plants or increasing output. Now, French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen revealed that it has attained Chinese government approval for a production joint venture with China Changan Automobile Group. The approval comes exactly a year after both parties signed the JV agreement.

Located in Shenzhen, the 50:50 JV will have initial annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and a similar amount of engines. Production is expected to start in the second half of 2012, comprising passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Citroen’s DS line will be launched in China and a proprietary car brand is in the works. Initial investment in the JV will amount to 8.4 billion yuan, according to PSA.

This is actually PSA’s second production JV in China, after a similar setup with Dongfeng Motor Corp. That partnership sold 194,566 Citroens and Peugeots in the first six months of 2011, up 10.2% year-on-year. Buoyed by strong 408 sales, the Peugeot brand saw a 19% increase to 80,893 units, while Citroen sales jumped 6% to 113,673 units.

Closer to home, production of the Peugeot 408 (name not confirmed for our region yet) is scheduled to start by the end of 2011 at Naza’s Gurun plant.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Frankfurt preview: Diesel electric hybrid Peugeot 508 RXH

Danny Tan — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:44:15 +0000

The Peugeot 508 range is set to grow, joined by this Audi Allroad style wagon called the 508 RXH, previewed here ahead of a Frankfurt debut. Peugeot gave the 508 saloon and wagon world debuts at last year’s Paris show, and they went on sale earlier this year. The RXH will go on sale in spring 2012.

Under the hood is a diesel electric hybrid drivetrain, or more specifically the 2.0 HDi FAP HYbrid4 drivetrain from the 3008 Hybrid4. With 200 bhp, 450 Nm and 4WD, the Peugeot 508 RXH should have enough for most conditions that its tyres and ground clearance allow for. There’s also a ZEV 100% electric mode, which helps lower the combined cycle to less than 4.2 litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.

From the outside, the RXH can be easily identified by its signature “lion claws” triple LED bars up front. The interior gets distinctive colours and luxurious materials, and equipment includes the Open & Go system, electric front seats, head up display, 18-inch wheels, panoramic glass roof and dark-tinted acoustic laminated side windows.

Gallery after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot ’208′ to debut next year with new family look

Danny Tan — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:00:23 +0000

It has been five years since the Peugeot 207 found early adopter homes in Europe, and it’s time for the next generation. Word is that a Peugeot “208″ will make its motor show debut at next year’s Geneva show, and it will be a fresh start for the brand, design wise. That means the end of the current wide mouthed look, which is already not present on the Peugeot 508.

This is according to PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s director of design Jean-Pierre Ploue. “The new Peugeot 208 will be a break from the past, it must be homogenous. Each model must feed the brand and be part of the family,” the ex Citroen design boss said, pointing out that this family look method is also used by Peugeot’s Euro rivals Volkswagen and Opel/Vauxhall.

“The 208 must be able to be sold worldwide in Asia, South America, or wherever, as well as in Europe. It must be easily recognised as being distinctly Peugeot everywhere in the world,” he added.

What should we expect? “You see a little bit of what (the new style) will be in the SR1 concept car. The SR1 represents what we want to do, with an athletic, pure, elegant, and precise design with much allure,” Ploue said.

The SR1 and HR1 Concept from Paris previews Peugeot’s new direction. Do you like what you see, or do you prefer the current signature Pug look?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Mad for matte: Limited edition Peugeot RCZ Asphalt for UK

Danny Tan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:47:20 +0000

Click to enlarge

This is probably the first Limited Edition for the Peugeot RCZ, the French Audi TT fighter that first went on sale last May. Limited to only 75 right-hand-drive units for the UK, the “Asphalt” limited edition features special matte Telluric grey bodywork. It is based on the range topping GT trim and powered by the 200 THP petrol engine.

Besides the non shiny paint job, the LE gets a black roof, Asphalt badging and 19-inch Solstice black alloys complemented with matching black brake calipers. The interior features more Asphalt branding, stitched Nappa leather trim and an Alcantara/leather steering wheel and gear stick. It is priced at £29,995.

Click to enlarge

The standard issue RCZ was launched in Malaysia in May this year, reaching here in two variants – a 156 hp/240 Nm engine paired to a 6-speed automatic and a hotter 200 hp/275 Nm model with a 6-speed manual. The auto costs RM218,888 while the manual is priced at RM223,888. Click here for the launch report and here for our test drive report from Spain.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim expands Peugeot presence in Sabah

Anthony Lim — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:21:58 +0000

Nasim has appointed Kota Kinabalu-based Angkatan Hebat Motor as its sole Peugeot dealership in Sabah. The appointment follows the recent launch of the Peugeot Blue Box Malacca and is part of the brand’s nationwide expansion exercise.

Angkatan Hebat Motor is a unit of Angkatan Hebat, which is the fleet management services provider to the Sabah state government and is also a dealer for several commercial and passenger vehicle brands.

The company is set to launch a showroom at the One Borneo Hypermall in Kota Kinabalu and a 2S dealership for after-sales services in Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu, by end-July.

Angkatan Hebat Motor kicked off a series of two-day road shows in KK over the weekend, and next up is Tawau (June 24-25), Lahad Datu (June 28-29) and Sandakan (July 1-2). The cars that will be featured at the road show will be the 207, 308 Turbo, 3008 and the new RCZ coupe.

For the remainder of the year, Nasim is targeting to sell 200 units in Sabah and has set a target of achieving a 2% to 3% market share of the passenger car market in the state within three years.

Besides the outlets in Malacca and Kota Kinabalu, Nasim plans to open 3S centres in Kota Bahru, Balakong, Sungai Petani, Kuantan, Kepong and Seremban. Once these are open, Nasim will have 26 outlets nationwide and will be represented in all major markets in the country.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot 408 (T73 sedan) spotted undergoing camouflaged testing on the highway

Paul Tan — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:47:03 +0000

This disguised sedan was spotted by reader Eugene on the PLUS highway between Kampar and Sungkai on Friday afternoon during lunch hour. It was accompanied by a Naza Forte. Although it is disguised, we can identify it as the Peugeot 408 by looking at the shape.

Nasim has been referring to the Peugeot 408 by the codename T73 sedan so far, as the “408″ name has not been confirmed for our market. It is known as the 408 in the markets its been launched in so far. Despite its name, it’s not really a continuation of the 407, as the successor for that car has moved upmarket and is now called the Peugeot 508.

Although Nasim plans for the T73 to be locally assembled, this unit shouldn’t be one of the locally assembled units as from this picture we can see it is a left hand drive unit.

The Peugeot 408 is a C-segment sedan and is based on the Peugeot 308 hatchback chassis. However, Peugeot has increased the wheelbase so there should be significantly better interior space for the 408 sedan as compared to the 308 hatchback. Because of the longer chassis and new body panels instead of merely carrying over the 308 body panels, the 408 doesn’t suffer much from the awkwardness of typical hatches that are converted to sedans.

The 408 has a wheelbase of 2,710mm, which is 10mm longer than the roomy 8th generation Honda Civic’s 2,700mm wheelbase. In China, the 408 was launched with two engines – a 110hp/147Nm 1.6 litre engine and a 147hp/200Nm 2.0 litre engine.

Look after the jump for the full gallery of spyshots, a promo video, as well as product photos of the Peugeot 408 from its international unveiling.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Nasim opens Peugeot Blue Box in Malacca, seven more 3S outlets planned for this year

Danny Tan — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:14:20 +0000

Nasim, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, has launched a Peugeot Blue Box in Malacca. The new outlet is operated and owned by Sin Kwung Premium and is located in Kawasan Perindustrian Malim Jaya.

Among the services offered are basic servicing such as oil change, wheel alignment and balancing, body and paint services as well as windscreen replacement and vehicle inspection. Like all Blue Boxes, it is equipped with Peugeot’s Planet System Diagnostic tool, and has three service bays with the capacity to handle up to 10 cars a day.

Nasim has big plans for the brand, and will launch seven more new 3S centres this year after Malacca. They will be in Kota Kinabalu, Kota Bahru, Balakong, Sungai Petani, Kuantan, Kepong and Seremban. Once all are on board, Nasim will have 26 outlets nationwide.

In addition, Datuk Samson Anand George, COO of Nasim revealed that the company will relocate its flagship Blue Box in Glenmarie to a new 82,000 sq ft facility, also in Glenmarie. This is to cater to the increasing after sales volume.

Nasim is targeting sales of 7,000 Peugeots this year. For the first five months of 2011 (Jan-May) the Naza Group company sold 2,615 units, a huge 152% jump from sales in the same period last year.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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Peugeot Design Competition seeks potential local talent

Anthony Lim — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:09:57 +0000

If you’re a secondary school or college student with a love for cars, the following will definitely pique your interest. Nasim and Automobiles Peugeot have launched a design competition with the New Straits Times, with the aim of educating college and secondary school students with skills needed to design an automobile.

The inaugural NST-Peugeot Design Competition kicked off on May 29 and will run until August 21, with the winners announced on Nov 1. Open to all college and secondary school students in Malaysia, the competition seeks to offer Malaysian students a chance to design a car.

Full story after the jump.

Participants of the competition – which is split into two categories, secondary school students and university or college students – will need to submit their design of what they envision to be the perfect Peugeot vehicle for Southeast Asian markets in 2018.

Secondary school students will have to submit a design illustration mounted on an A3 or A2 board which must include a perspective and package drawing (an elevation drawing, including interior design) and a description of the design in English.

As for university and college students, they’ll also be required to submit a design illustration mounted on an A3 or A2 board. One hundred semi-finalists will be shortlisted, and awarded consolation prizes, and the top 10 participants of this shortlisted group will then be required to submit a 1/5th scale model of their proposed design.

Secondary students will have to participate individually for the competition, while college/university students are required to enter as a team of three, which must include one tutor/lecturer/professor.

All design illustrations for both secondary school and college students can be either hand drawn or computer assisted, or a combination of both. In the case of the 10 chosen finalists in the college/university category, there are no prerequisites as far as choice of materials go in building the 1/5th scale model – anything from papier-mache and beeswax to clay or putty can be utilised, though the cost of building the actual model will have to be borne by the team.

In terms of prizes, the winner in the university/college student category will be awarded a five-day, four-night expense paid trip for all members of the team to Paris and Peugeot’s design centre in Velizy, France, along with RM1,000 in cash. The winning team also gets Peugeot merchandise valued at 100 Euro and a three-month automotive internship with the Naza Group.

The second-placed team will also receive a five-day, four-night trip with all expenses paid, but for for only two members of the team to Paris and the design centre in Velizy, France. Like with the winners, second also bags Peugeot merchandise valued at 100 Euro and a three-month automotive internship with the Naza Group. The third-placed team will receive RM250 for two members in the team and a three-month automotive internship with the Naza Group.

As for secondary school students, the first place winner will receive an iPad 2 and Peugeot merchandise, while the second prize winner will receive RM500 and Peugeot merchandise and third prize takes home RM250 and Peugeot merchandise. Besides the top three places, a further 30 entrants will be given consolation prizes.

As part of the design competition, tutorials on design will be available on a weekly basis via Cars, Bikes and Trucks to assist the participants in creating their own designs, and there’s a two-month roadshow beginning in June, which will make its way to over 100 schools nationwide and five institutions of higher learning to promote the design competition.

Nasim or Automobiles Peugeot may decide to develop the winning design into a model for display at motorshows and roadshows, said Datuk Samson Anand George, COO of Nasim. “With this competition, it is our aim to give Malaysian students a platform to showcase their talent and creativity. It is also an opportunity to the lay the ground work for tomorrow’s automotive designers in Malaysia,” he said.

Entries will be judged on the relevance to the theme, concept originality, design value and quality and development potential. You can find out more about the competition here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:04:41 +0000.

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