• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

CarGurus Blog (UK)

The CarGurus UK blog is packed with news, views and features about the world's most interesting cars (as well as some less interesting ones), all written by some of the UK's best motoring journalists.

  • Used Cars For Sale
  • Car Reviews
    • Alfa Romeo
    • Alpine
    • Audi
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Citroen
    • Fiat
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Jaguar
    • Kia
    • Land Rover
    • Lotus
    • Mazda
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Nissan
    • Porsche
    • Renault
    • Seat
    • Skoda
    • Suzuki
    • Toyota
    • Vauxhall
    • Volkswagen
    • Volvo
  • News and Features
    • Car News
    • Car Lists
    • Half Price Hot Hatch
  • Electric Cars
  • Classics
    • Automotive Reincarnations
    • Automotive Anniversaries
    • Car Histories
  • CarGurus UK Video
  • Research

Automotive Reincarnations: Audi Duo and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4

April 9, 2019 by Lewis Kingston

You could be forgiven for overlooking the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 when it was unveiled in August 2010. It looked just like any other 3008, for starters, and its use of a hybrid drivetrain would likely have proved unremarkable to many. After all, the likes of Lexus had been ploughing the now-rich hybrid SUV furrow in the UK with its RX since June 2005. 

There was, however, one stand-out claim about the 3008: according to Peugeot, it was the ‘world’s first diesel-electric car’. This distinguished it from preceding production hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius or aforementioned Lexus, which featured petrol engines. The concept made good sense on paper; a stout diesel would deliver good performance and efficiency, granting long range on motorway trips, while the electric motor would further boost its economy and reduce harmful emissions.

Under the bonnet of the Peugeot was a 161bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine which drove the front wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox – while drive to the back wheels was provided by a 36bhp electric motor powered by a 1.1kWh nickel-metal hydride battery. This motor could assist the engine, provide all-wheel drive and also propel the car on its own; fully charged, the battery could keep the 3008 ticking along on electric power for around 2.5 miles at low speeds.

All in, the combined output was 197bhp along with a useful 369lb ft of torque. This allowed the Peugeot to sprint from 0-62mph in 9.1sec; more importantly, the drivetrain initially permitted a claimed average of 74.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Such low emissions served up a plethora of financial benefits, making the car a tempting proposition to many.

Seemingly unbeknownst to Peugeot, however, the concept wasn’t a new one – as Audi had unveiled a diesel-electric hybrid production car back in 1997. 

A RESPONSE TO RISING URBAN POLLUTION

Diesel had never been a strong contender for automotive hybrid applications. The engines tended to be more expensive, heavier and less refined than the petrol alternatives. Some markets weren’t huge fans of diesel, either, lessening its suitability further.

During the 1970s, however, rising concerns about pollution and efficiency led to numerous companies developing hybrid concepts. Among them were a series of ‘Duo’ prototypes, produced by Audi from 1989 onwards, which trialled hybrid systems that could be used should conventional cars be banned from urban areas in the future.

One of these was an A4 Avant-based hybrid, the third of the Duo concept line, which was unveiled in October 1996. It featured a turbocharged 1.9-litre diesel coupled to a manual transmission with an automated clutch and, you guessed it, an electric motor.

The Duo wasn’t as powerful as the 3008, with the combined output being 117bhp, and so performance was quite pedestrian; Audi claimed a 0-62mph time of 15.6 seconds. However, the hybrid Audi had a then-impressive all-electric range of 31 miles and, reportedly, could average 79.4mpg.

Audi’s diesel-electric hybrid wasn’t some far-flung technological showcase, though. Tests were carried out in early 1997 and, later that year, a production version was revealed.

WEIGHT AND COMPLEXITY TAKES ITS TOLL

In order to grant the Duo decent all-electric range, and make hybridising it worthwhile, Audi had outfitted it with a substantial 10kWh battery. This lead-acid battery pack weighed a whopping 320kg, though, which pushed the weight of the Duo to over 400kg more than a conventional diesel A4 Avant.

The complexity of the car also drove its price through the roof, with Audi suggesting that each cost twice that of its diesel counterpart – although, at the time, the Duo was reputedly only offered to commercial operators on expensive monthly leases. The hefty costs, and unremarkable real-world economy resulting from its excessive weight, subsequently led to few taking up the offer of Audi’s forward-thinking Duo. Unsurprisingly, and unfortunately, similar issues also troubled Peugeot’s later modern take on the concept.

Another blow to Audi came in the form of the Toyota Prius, which featured a far more refined hybrid powertrain. Consequently, despite initial reported plans to build upwards of 500 a year, Audi decided to cancel the Duo after just 60 had been built; advancing conventional engine technology also meant the company wouldn’t return to hybrids in earnest until 2010.

The Duo’s achievements were many, regardless; it was arguably the first production diesel-electric hybrid car, it arrived in Europe before the Prius and other associated technological highlights included solar panel-equipped carports to recharge its battery. Yes, the Duo was also a plug-in diesel hybrid – beating Volvo’s ‘world first’ diesel V60 Plug-in Hybrid to that particular post by 15 years.
Search for a used Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 on CarGurus

The content above is for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

In the market for a used car?

CarGurus makes it easy to find great deals from top-rated dealers. CarGurus compares price, detailed vehicle data and dealer reviews to give each used car a deal rating from great to overpriced, and sorts the best deals first. Find out more and begin your used car search at CarGurus.

Filed Under: Automotive Reincarnations, Classic Cars, Featured Story, News, Used Cars

Primary Sidebar

Used cars for sale

CarGurus homepage to search for used cars

How to Safely Buy a Car During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Pentagon Oldham Vauxhall dealership

Cleaning Your Car to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Cleaning car door handle

Editor’s Choice: Approved Used Cars – Every Manufacturer Compared

BMW 5 Series Touring estate car, driving, front, grey

10 BEST-SELLING USED CARS IN THE UK

used cars on car forecourt

10 BEST-SELLING NEW CARS IN THE UK

2019 BMW 3 Series driving, rear, blue

Recent Posts

  • The Best-Selling New Cars of 2020
  • The 10 Most Popular Used Cars in the UK
  • Buying a Used Land Rover Defender: 8 tips to avoid disaster
  • How Will the Car Market Perform when the COVID-19 Lockdown is Lifted?
  • 2019 Porsche Macan S Review: The driver’s choice of SUV

2019 Best Used Car Awards – See all the winners!

CarGurus UK used car awards logo 2019

Footer

Copyright © 2005-2021 CarGurus, Inc. All Rights Reserved

CarGurus Ireland Limited, 1st Floor, Styne House, Upper Hatch Street, D02DY27 Dublin, Ireland

Privacy
Terms of Use

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in