In a wake of red dust, the two Peugeot 3008 Redex Tribute vehicles have completed their mission – to pay respect to those courageous souls of the 1953 Redex and to demonstrate the dynamism of the new Peugeot 3008, on a journey over fifteen days and just over 10,000 kilometres around Australia.
The Peugeot crew was joined by some of Australia's most prominent motoring journalists and experts, to supplement what Peugeot already knew – that the 3008 is a new kind of SUV.
And how appropriate is it for Australian motorists? Peugeot asked the experts to comment:
Ewan Kennedy – Motoring Writer, Marque Publishing: "Peugeot 3008 is a great car for long-distance cruising because it continues the French marque's long tradition of providing very comfortable seats and an excellent ride".
Owen Peake – Peak Performance 4WD Experts: "Having completed the Peugeot REDeX re-run in 1983 with Ken Tubman it was an honour to be invited to be involved in 2010. The 3008 is an excellent car to travel Australia's long distances in. We were travelling at NT's posted speed limit of 130 kilometres per hour and in complete comfort. I'm sure Ken Tubman would have been very impressed with the 3008."
Paul Murrell – Feature and Motoring Writer SA Life: "Australia's vast distances are still confronting, even today. In 1953, they must have been even more awesome. We enjoyed average speeds, reliability and luxury that would have been only a dream to those hardy souls who tackled the original Redex Trials. The Peugeot 3008 swallowed the kilometres as if we were on a school run and unlike the original Redex competitors, we arrived at each destination feeling fresh and alert. It was an impressive demonstration that the Peugeot 3008 is more than a match for long distance road travel in Australia, just as were the Peugeots that came before it."
Feann Torr – Motoring Writer, Carpoint.com.au: "This is a fitting way to celebrate Peugeot's 200th birthday. The marque has an impressive motorsport heritage Down Under. It would be a crying shame if it was to be forgotten.
While our journey was in air-conditioned comfort, driving a modern and very comfortable road vehicle, it was still a surprisingly rewarding experience. So much so that I almost have the urge to search for a vintage car (I'm thinking 1960s Falcon), and plan an epic journey of my own.."
Will Hagon – Motoring Journalist and ABC Radio Host: "To travel into central Australia from Townsville, through legendary towns like Charters Towers, Hughenden, Camooeal, Cloncurry and Mount Isa and on to Alice Springs is as much as privilege today as it was way back then. But then it was also a great adventure, so well done Peugeot and Ken Tubman on doing it so well so long ago, and thank you for the great, economical 3008 that did it so well this time."
Mark Borlace, Motoring Journalist – SA Motor: "I drove the Alice Springs to Adelaide leg and could not be anything but impressed with what the original participants in the Redex trails must have endured. By contrast we were able to chew up the 1500 kms effortlessly and comfortably in the new 3008 on smooth, sealed roads that made their way through the flat but treed terrain to the NT/SA border".
As most of the journalists have admitted, it was with incredulous wonder that they marvelled at the courage and mettle of the 1953 Redex participants. Automobiles are a very different proposition today from what they were in 1953 and although the two Peugeot 3008s are the latest Peugeot has to offer in technology and innovation, there is a lot to be said for how well both vehicles performed.
Although the exercise was one of homage and fuel economy was not the goal, both 3008s returned a combined cycle fuel consumption of approximately 5.3 litres per 100 km (on average). The best fuel consumption records returned were 5.1 litres per 100km on the leg from Brisbane to Rockhampton in Queensland and 5.0 litres per 100km from Hamilton to Nagambie in Victoria.
One of the 3008 Redex Tribute vehicles will be on display at the Australian International Motorshow in October.