Published on April 4th, 2011 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0NASIM MAY INTRODUCE 3008 HYBRID4
Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia, is studying the possibility of bringing in the new 3008 HYbrid4, the world’s first full diesel hybrid, to Malaysia this year.Its CEO, Mr SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said Automobiles Peugeot is currently conducting extensive tests in France on the 3008 HYbrid4 with the Euro 2M specification diesel that is available in Malaysia. “So far the tests have yielded positive results but there are still more tests to be done. Once we can conclude that the 3008 HYbrid4 will have no problems running on the Euro 2M specification diesel, we will look into launching it in Malaysia. The 3008 HYbrid4 offers remarkable fuel efficiency without sacrificing power,” he said. The 3008 HYbrid4 features a 2.0-litre diesel engine which produces 163 bhp and an electric motor that produces 37 bhp for a combined total output of 200 bhp. The full consumption of the 3008 Hybrid4 is just 3.8-litres per 100 km.Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, had the privilege of being one of the first Malaysians to test the 3008 HYbrid4 during the latter’s visit to PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s headquarters in Paris last week. He was accompanied by SM Nasarudin, His Excellency General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, Ambassador of Malaysia to France and Arwa Beaulieu, Automobiles Peugeot’s product manager for the 3008 HYbrid4. Mustapa, who was leading a Malaysian trade and investment mission in Paris, also met Mr Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroen who briefed the former on the carmaker’s plans for the Asean region by using Malaysia as a production hub.The 3008 HYbrid4 features a maximum torque of 500 Nm with 300 Nm from the diesel engine and 200 Nm from the rear electric motor.The SUV features four different operating modes, including a zero emission vehicle mode whereby it runs only on the electric motor, a four-wheel drive mode and a STOP-START function which places the diesel engine in standby mode when the vehicle is at a standstill at a stop light or in a traffic jam. This in turn reduces fuel consumption in the 3008 HYbrid4.The 3008 HYbrid4 was recently awarded “All Wheel-Drive Innovation of the Year” by German motoring publication, Autobild Allrad.