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Customer LoginsPeugeot reveals 3008 as Renault unveils larger Grand Scenic
Two key French brands have unveiled replacement models, with Peugeot showing off the second-generation 3008 and Renault revealing the Grand Scenic.
IHS Automotive Perspective
- Significance: Two key French brands have unveiled replacement models, with Peugeot showing off the second-generation 3008 and Renault revealing the Grand Scenic.
- Implications: Peugeot is hoping that this latest generation will re-establish this model's position in the compact crossover segment with a more conventional model than it replaces. Renault, on the other hand, is attempting to firm up its position in the struggling compact MPV segment.
- Outlook: IHS Automotive expects that the Peugeot 3008 will ride on the crest of the growth of this still-expanding category, while Renault's Scenic range will be the biggest seller in a category that is expected to continue contracting until beyond the end of the decade.
Two key French brands, Peugeot and Renault, have revealed the replacements for two niche models in their current line-up that are intended to support the continuation of growth in the European market.
Peugeot 3008
The first of these to be revealed was Peugeot's new 3008 compact crossover. The latest generation of this model is based on the latest EMP2 architecture, and has a far more conventional body style than its predecessor, with greater raised ground clearance, upright windscreen and a more rugged look. It is also 0.08m longer than the vehicle it replaces at 4.45 m, although of this, 0.06 m can be found in the 2.68-m wheelbase, which is said to be the longest in the C-SUV category. However, the width and height are the same as the previous generation. It features many of the brand's recent design cues such as broad chrome grille, narrow headlights - available in either halogen or LED, and wide air intakes at the front. The automaker has added that it has focused heavily on perceived quality on the exterior through tighter panel gaps, the use of chrome finishing and two-tone bodywork.
For the interior, the vehicle uses the latest generation of the brand's i-Cockpit philosophy that was first revealed last month and is designed to wrap around the driver. This features a compact steering wheel designed with visibility and legroom in mind. The dashboard also includes an 8-inch touchscreen with capacitive technology in the centre, accompanied by six "piano-key" toggle switches to access key functions. A second 12.3-inch screen faces the driver and displays key data through five different display modes such as navigation instructions or engine parameters. Other key features offered in the cabin include full leather from Level 2 specification, multipoint massage seats and fragrance diffuser. Occupants will also benefit from greater interior space, while luggage space has grown from 432-litres to 510-litres under the luggage cover, and a total load capacity of 1,580 litres available when the 2/3-1/3 split "Magic Flat" rear seats are folded flat.
On the powertrain front, the 3008 is offered with a range of gasoline (petrol) or diesel engines. For the former, it is offered with 130-hp 1.2-litre with six speed manual- or six speed automatic transmissions. A 1.6-litre 165-hp version is also available only with the latter. On the diesel front, it can be had with a 100-hp 1.6-litre with five speed manual; 120-hp 1.6-litre with six-speed manual- or automatic transmission; while a 2.0-litre is also offered in 150-hp and 180-hp specifications with six speed manual- and six speed automatic transmission, respectively. All these engines have carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in a range between 100 g/km and 129 g/km, helped by its aerodynamics and new ultra-low rolling resistant tyres developed by Michelin for the 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels.
Other technical features which will be available include Groupe PSA's Advanced Grip Control technology for improved grip; Hill Assist Descent Control; Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert; active lane departure and driver attention warning; automatic adaptive headlights; speed limit sign recognition and recommendation; Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop function (on automatic transmission variants); active blind-spot monitoring; and Visio Park which offers 360 degree all-around vision alongside the latest generation Park Assist. Comfort features will include a large panoramic sunroof, premium Focal stereo system and high-level connectivity that features Mirrorlink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay as well as 3D TomTom navigation.
The company is also offering as an option an electrically assisted folding scooter - the e-Kick - by Micro, or an electrically assisted folding bicycle - the e-Bike - by Peugeot. These are designed to support the last leg of a driver's journey and feature "dockstations" in the boot to hold them in place and charge them while the engine is running.
Renault Grand Scenic
Renault has also unveiled the Grand Scenic, which follows in the footsteps of the smaller Scenic which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show (Switzerland) in March, and with which it shares the same design traits. According to a statement, compared to the previous generation Grand Scenic, the latest model grows to 4.63 m long with a wheelbase of 2.80 m; 1.86 m wide and 1.66 m tall. It also makes it some 240 mm longer than its Scenic sibling.
It is available with either five or seven seats, the former offering greater luggage capacity. The seats can be folded flat with a one-touch system via a button in the boot or on the R-Link 2 system that gives a flat floor. The interior benefits from the "Easy Life" sliding centre console which can achieve an "open plan" space between the driver and other occupants when it is moved to its rearmost position.
The vehicle is available with two gasoline (petrol) powertrain variants and five diesels. In the former category, it offers a 115-hp and 130-hp engines with six-speed manual transmission. For the latter, a 110-hp engine is offered with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), as well as a Hybrid Assist on one of the manuals which uses a 48-volt battery and generator, with energy recovery being undertaken on deceleration. Other diesel engines include a 130-hp variant with six-speed manual and 160-hp with DCT.
Outlook and implications
The launch of the second generation Peugeot 3008 is an important step for the brand as PSA continues to redefine the marques within its organisation, particularly in the wake of the introduction of the "Push to Pass" strategy. The first generation had been an important model for the automaker in the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) region following its launch in 2009 and registrations peaked in 2010 at 117,635 units. However, despite ongoing growth in the C SUV category - which has increased from 1.03 million units in 2010 to 1.71 million units in 2015 - this model has come under pressure with registrations sinking to around 67,500 units last year as the segment becomes more crowded, and this ageing, less conventional model is overlooked. With the introduction of this latest generation, IHS Automotive expects that it will spring back to be one of the leading models in this region. We see this model peaking during 2017, with registrations of around 135,300 units, with only the also new Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan and the ever popular Nissan Qashqai remaining ahead of it. This will coincide with further growth in the C SUV category as a whole, with registrations expected to break through the 2-million-unit mark that year and towards a near-term peak of 2.26 million units in 2019.
The ongoing positivity in the C-SUV category contrasts with declining fortunes of the C-MPV category in which the Grand Scenic will feature. This segment had been in the ascendancy up until the middle of the last decade, with registrations hitting 1.61 million units in 2011. However, following a contraction suffered during the global economic downturn which was followed by the Eurozone crisis, the segment has failed to regain much in the way of traction, with registrations reaching around 922,000 units last year. It will not have been helped by the rise of the C-SUV segment seen above, which shares many of the positive attributes in terms of space requirements for customers, but in a package which is more attractive to many. Indeed, while Renault remains committed to this category, it has tweaked the Scenic and Grand Scenic to feature some of these such as the high ground clearance and large wheels. It has also done this with the latest-generation Espace. While IHS Automotive expects combined registrations of the latest generation to bring gains which will see it return to being the market leader in the region, this will peak at just 149,000 units during 2017. This compares poorly with a peak of 349,000 units for the nameplate during 2004, while the previous generation managed to hit almost 190,000 units during 2010. We also see the C MPV continuing to decline, with an expectation that it will fall below the 700,000 unit level in the next decade while C SUVs continue to climb.
About this article
The above article is from IHS Automotive Same-Day Analysis of automotive news, events and trends, and is a deliverable of the World Markets Automotive Service. The service averages thirty stories per day and also provides competitor and country intelligence. Get a free trial.