With the automotive industry under pressure to deliver lower emissions vehicle manufactures are responding by offering a new generation of hybrid cars. Toyota and Honda were first to the line, the Insight and Prius petrol/electric hybrids work fine on paper and offer low emissions but in reality are no more efficient than petrol powered equivalents. Peugeot were first to market with their diesel/hybrid range. For the average motorist saving pounds at the pump seems to be at the top of the agenda rather than a spirited desire to save the world from global warming.

“Coasting, and braking all aid to recharge the batteries which means you are never short on electric power when you need it most, such as in slow moving traffic, a typical charge lasts around 1.5 miles.”

The 3008 HYbrid4 was launched in 2012, emissions have been lowered to 99 g/km that means no annual road tax or congestion charge to pay. Power is derived from a 2.0 litre, 163bhp engine up front and a 37bhp electric motor housed in the middle of the rear axle. Turn the ignition and there is no rumble of diesel, just silence, the only indication the car is engaged is the ”Ready” reading on the instrument cluster. Put the six speed robotised-auto into drive and the silent running continues as the fully charged batteries power the electric motor at speeds of up to 30mph. Coasting, and braking all aid to recharge the batteries which means you are never short on electric power when you need it most, such as in slow moving traffic, a typical charge lasts around 1.5 miles. The diesel engine cuts in seamlessly and on its own merit has just enough torque to carry the extra weight of that hybrid technology, the electric motor also combines to assist acceleration when required. The 4-mode driving setting offers Normal-AWD-Sport and Auto, the latter is best used most often but if you require a bit more zip then Sport mode does add a little bit of feistiness to the performance. The ride is noticeably firm, one suspects the suspension details have been toughened up to cater for the extra weight of the electric motor and batteries, smooth roads are the 3008 Hybrid-4’s  natural domain. The 3008 is a spacious and practical family car with a great interior and in HYbrid4 Allure trim its got plenty of toys. The combined fuel economy of 44mpg is good but its less than the conventional 2.0 litre model which is around £5k less, you can work out the maths. So its becoming clear that hybrid vehicles are about lowering emissions and not necessarily about saving money at the dealership or fuel at the pumps. If you understand that then the case for the hybrid ‘revolution’ makes sense.