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Irish Times
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Peugeot E-3008: Electric all-wheel-drive is like a cheat code for fast cars
Four-wheel drive was the magic sauce, that indefinable thing that generates desire, that feeds an obsession. Ever since Audi first thought of adding four-wheel drive to a low-slung coupe to turn it into the most fearsome rally weapon of them all, having power going to all four wheels was a minimum requirement for dream car status. Although I'm slightly too young to have lusted much after an Audi Quattro during its heyday, I certainly craved the cars it inspired — the Sierra Cosworth, the Lancia Delta Integrale, the Toyota Celica GT4, and latterly the glorious original Subaru Impreza. All cars based on humble family machines that put their copious power down through all four contact patches. On the west Cork roads of my youth, that made for a far more enticing proposition than any Ferrari or Lamborghini. Sadly, the hot all-wheel-drive car seems to have fallen out of favour in the years since. Improvements in tyre tech, and especially in the arcane electronics of stability control have in part erased the tractive advantage of the flame-spitting 4WD country-fried supercars. READ MORE Equally, the cost of running such a machine – the extra weight and friction of four-wheel drive and the consequent effects on fuel economy and emissions – meant many just bought two-wheel-drive cars and shoved their old rally-star dreams to the back of a drawer. Now, though, there's a chance – a slim one but a chance all the same – that electric power offers us a cheat code for clawing back our fast, four-wheel-drive dreams. Adding an extra electric motor for more power and performance is a relatively simple thing to do, and although it will impact efficiency and range, that impact is cushioned by the fact that charging up at home is always going to be much, much cheaper than pumping in litres of former-dinosaur juice. Which means that this new Peugeot E-3008 Dual Motor GT seems oddly compelling, to me at least. The existing front-wheel-drive electric E-3008 is one of the more notably impressive mid-size EVs when it comes to delivering usable real-world range. The Peugeot e-3008 is good-looking car with impressive range efficiency. Photograph: Tibo - The Good Click Peugeot e-3008: really tight corners with fast approaches will remind you, very quickly, that this car weighs an unhelpful 2.2 tonnes and that is a limiting factor. Photograph: Tibo - The Good Click It also looks sharp, with those almost malevolent headlights, the grille that melts in and out of the front bodywork, and the chopped roofline that genuinely gives it the air of a kinda-sorta-coupe. It's handsome. Oddly, this range-topping Dual Motor version is no more handsome. For a car with 325hp, all-wheel drive and a tweaked, sportier chassis, you'd have expected more visual thrills, or at least a badge with more evocation than 'Dual Motor'. However, as Emmanuel Varene, head of the E-3008's development told The Irish Times: 'We didn't want to over-promise with a badge like GTI or Peugeot Sport Engineered. Besides, a car with those badges should be one level above this model.' We'll start to see what Varene means with the imminent reveal of the E-208 GTi, the first EV to wear those hallowed letters. In the meantime, making do with the E-3008 Dual Motor will be no hardship at all. As with the exterior, there's nothing on the inside to tell you that this is the hottest 3008. It's still a cracking cabin though, even if it's a bit tight in the back for anyone who's graduated from national school. The boot's a bit smaller too, due to the space taken up by the 112hp rear motor, but you'd be churlish to call this anything but a reasonably practical car (and the far roomier E-5008 Dual Motor will be just across the showroom floor…). What really makes the E-3008 Dual Motor stand out, though, is what Peugeot has done under the skin. The springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars have all been stiffened up, but the best bit is the revised steering, which has some actual feel and feedback, and turns the standard model's over-assisted rack into something far sharper and more engaging. It's a bit tight in the back of the Peugeot e-3008. Photograph: Tibo - The Good Click Peugeot e-3008: stylish interior. Photograph: Tibo - The Good Click In combo, the tighter steering and tauter suspension make this E-3008 really quite a rewarding companion on a challenging road. Really tight corners with fast approaches will remind you, very quickly, that this car weighs an unhelpful 2.2 tonnes and that is a limiting factor. However, on slightly more open roads with longer radius corners, the E-3008 Dual Motor is properly enjoyable to drive, with engaging responses and a sense of sporty crispness. You do pay for the stiffer suspension with an urban ride that's considerably harder-edged, though. However, you don't pay all that much for the extra lower and 90kg of extra weight. This Dual Motor model uses the same 73kWh battery as the regular E-3008 (we're still waiting for the long-range 98kWh version with its 700km range, but production slowness at Peugeot's battery producer is slowing things up) and that means a reduction in official range from 527km to 490km. However, Peugeot may be a touch pessimistic here. Over a long day's driving on motorways, in crowded towns, and on some vertiginous country roads, we averaged 18.5kWh/100km, only slightly worse than the official WLTP figure and that was driving almost all the time in Sport mode with the air conditioning on. A touch more care should see you do better than that, and so the efficiency and range penalty for the extra power and poise might just be minimal. Figure on a fairly reliable 440km real-world range, not much worse off than the front-wheel drive model. [ The VW Buzz is a superhero, here to save us from villainous SUVs Opens in new window ] That's a small price to pay for the impressive boost in performance (0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds with hugely enjoyable mid-range thrust for overtaking or fast motorway merging) and the extra traction which made the E-3008 feel rock-steady when the heavens opened and a huge burst of rain hit the tarmac in front of us. The 325hp is way more power than that offered by any of my 1980s and 90s rally heroes, and now I can have it at hardly any running cost penalty? Yes please. The downside is that there will still be a chunky cost penalty – Peugeot Ireland still hasn't set prices as this Dual Motor model won't be with us for at least six months yet, but it's likely to top the €55,000 mark. That's a lot of cash, so once again, probably few Irish buyers will take the plunge. I'd be tempted, though…
Motor 1
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Stellantis Will 'Experiment' With Chrysler to Fill The Gaps
When it comes to products, Chrysler currently offers the least among the 14 brands under the Stellantis corporate umbrella. It's now essentially a minivan brand, selling only the Pacifica/Voyager. Heck, even Lancia, another troubled automaker within the conglomerate, has a second product scheduled for 2026. So, how does the struggling American brand, which turned 100 just last week, plan to get back in shape? By experimenting. In an interview with Automotive News , Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles said Chrysler is 'ripe for a new chapter.' The brand aims to revamp its current image and attract a new clientele by targeting the 'brand-new conquest customer.' Although Stellantis has numerous products across its vast portfolio, there are still gaps that Chrysler will attempt to fill with its upcoming vehicles. 'I think it's time for us to pivot. We're going to try. We're going to experiment with the brand. There is an unserved part of our portfolio in our showroom that our dealers have identified that we can maybe serve with Chrysler, so we're in the process of experimenting.' Chrysler Is Not Giving Up On Gas Engines Although Chrysler had initially planned to go fully electric by 2028, that's no longer the case. Gilles said the new lineup will be built on the STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms, both of which support combustion, hybrid, and electric drivetrains. The STLA Medium is already used in European products, such as the Peugeot 3008/5008, Opel Grandland, Citroën C5 Aircross, and the not-for-America 2026 Jeep Compass . The STLA Large underpins the Dodge Charger, Jeep Wagoneer S, as well as the upcoming Recon and Cherokee. Stellantis also has an STLA Small architecture, but Chrysler appears to be focusing on larger vehicles. STLA Medium is designed for cars measuring 169.3 to 193 inches (4.3 to 4.9 meters) in length, with wheelbases ranging from 169.2 to 192.9 inches (2.7 to 2.9 meters). STLA Large supports vehicles ranging from 187.6 to 201.8 inches (4.76 to 5.1 meters) long and 74.7 to 79.9 inches (1.89 to 2.03 meters) wide. Chrysler finally has a new design studio to create its future vehicles, one of which could be a sedan inspired by the Halcyon concept . Although the concept won't go into production as is, CEO Christine Feuell suggested it could influence a 300 replacement. An SUV inspired by the Halcyon is reportedly also in the pipeline, with CNBC reporting both could debut as early as next year. The Pacifica turns 10 next year, and Chrysler has confirmed plans to update the minivan and introduce a fully electric version. Chrysler Is Back Just weeks before his abrupt resignation, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the struggling brand would have only a few years to save itself . However, there's now a sense that Chrysler is finally receiving the attention it deserves. With newly appointed Antonio Filosa leading the 14-brand empire, a revival seems to be underway. Gilles mentioned that Stellantis has 'been working very hard behind the scenes' on the STLA Medium and Large platforms. He described them as the 'perfect foundations' for new vehicles bearing the winged emblem. These new products certainly can't arrive soon enough, and Chrysler deserves the attention after years of neglect. Catch Up With Chrysler: Chrysler Is Planning a New Car and SUV Based on the Halcyon Concept The Chrysler Voyager Is Back for 2025 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Edmunds
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edmunds
Behind the Scenes of Pirelli's New P Zero Performance Tire
To many drivers, tires are the unsung heroes of modern mobility. Even with all the cool new technology packed into every vehicle on the road, your tires are the only part of that vehicle that actually comes in contact with the ground. They're responsible for handling all the power, turning and stopping the vehicle safely and predictably for the entirety of their lives. So, you know, no big deal. Tires might go unnoticed by most drivers, but those who know know about the Pirelli P Zero. It's an icon of the automotive industry, so when Pirelli introduced the newest generation of its performance tire and offered me a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look into its development, I jumped at the chance. Where it started and where it's going Fittingly, 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the P Zero's introduction. Originally developed for the growing number of fast (for the era) turbocharged and supercharged cars, the P Zero turned out to be the first modern ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire. Fun fact: The P Zero was still under development when the Lanica rally team used it as the road tire to get their legendary 037 between stages. During a particularly wet day, driver Miki Biasion liked the tire so much that he demanded he run it during the next stage. He did, and he won the stage. On a street-legal tire.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Documentary on founder of famous car brand to be screened
A documentary on the founder of a famous car brand is set to be screened in Bicester. The charity StarterMotor, based at Bicester Motion, partnered with the Lancia Motor Club and Berlinetta Films for an exclusive screening of Vincenzo Lancia and the Birth of Modern Motoring on Thursday, May 22. The 90-minute film will be shown at Hagerty Clubhouse at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm. Classic Lancias will be displayed around the Clubhouse, including an early Tipo Corsa, a 1924 Lambda, and an Aprilia from 1938. Feast will be in attendance to provide its range of street food. The documentary features interviews with Lancia family members, experts, and owners. It premiered last year at the former Lingotto factory. Tickets to the screening are priced at £10, and are available by emailing Alison Ure at alijoure@
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A 1978 Lancia Montecarlo in Photos
More from Robb Report Thinking About Buying a Classic Land Rover Defender Overseas? Learn From My Mistakes. This Ultra-Rare Custom '57 Chevy Convertible Is Heading to Auction Why the Lamborghini Espada Is One of Italy's Most Polarizing Grand Tourers Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article. This 1978 Lancia Montecarlo sold through Bonhams for approximately $24,800 last year. Lancia's seductive two-seater came to North America as a 1976 and 1977 model called the Scorpion. The name change was due to the threat of litigation from Chevrolet, which had named one of its models Monte Carlo. A total of 7,798 examples of the Lancia Montecarlo were built from 1975 through 1981. The first production car designed and built by Pininfarina, the little Lancia looks like a miniature Ferrari 365 GT4/BB. This 1978 example, with a right-hand-drive configuration, showed 109,000 miles on the odometer when it sold at the Bonhams online auction. The Montecarlo originally came with a Fiat 2.0-liter inline-four engine that delivers 120 hp. While they'll never be highly valued, these cars are an exquisite expression of Pininfarina design flair at its very best. Both the Montecarlo and U.S.-spec Scorpion are best suited to mechanically inclined owners, as most examples have suffered neglect, rust, and maybe even some hideous modifications over the ensuing decades, and will benefit from sympathetic remediation.
