Following a string of awards won in Europe last year, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 has picked up another prize in Germany.
Just weeks ahead of its European launch, the world's first mass-produced full diesel hybrid has won the Paul-Pietsch Award given out by the German publishing group Motor Presse.
The Paul-Pietsch Award – named after the racing driver and co-founder of Motor Presse - has been given out since 1989, as part of the prestigious Besten Autos annual awards organised at the initiative of the German magazine auto motor und sport.
This annual award showcases a technology or vehicle which has helped the car make significant progress, particularly in terms of reducing its environmental footprint.
Made up of auto journalists from auto motor und sport, partner auto media and a panel of experts, the jury gave the Paul-Pietsch Award 2012 to the 3008 HYbrid4, the world's first mass-produced full diesel hybrid.
"We are delighted with the award for 3008 HYbrid 4,'' said Jaedene Hudson, PR Manager for Peugeot Automobiles Australia.
The 3008 HYbrid4 crossover uses a2.0-litre 122kW diesel engine that drives the front wheels combined with an electric engine with a capacity of 28kW on the rear axle. This enables a maximum power of 150kW.
The 3008 HYbrid 4 has a "zero emission" mode and boasts an average fuel consumption of just 3.8L/100 km. CO2 emissions are just 99g/km. This equates to a 35% reduction compared with a combustion engine of comparable power.
Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology is not just limited to the 3008. From April the 508 RXH, then the 508 sedan, will also be available with the diesel hybrid power train in Europe.
"The 3008 Hybrid 4 and 508 RXH have been under consideration for Australia since inception. We are well down the track in testing and hope to have both the 3008 and the RXH here in time for the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October,'' Ms Hudson said.
This is the second time Peugeot has won the Paul-Pietsch Award.