Peugeot India plans revealed

Earlier this year, Groupe PSA, the French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, announced its partnership with the CK Birla Group, hinting towards a brand relaunch into the Indian market by 2020. Peugeot also happened to acquire the Ambassador brand from the CK Birla Group as part of the new partnership but will Peugeot use the nameplate is what remains to be seen.

Groupe PSA has also identified the Chennai plant of the CK Birla Group where Mitsubishi SUVs are assembled currently. Betting big on Hindustan Motors’ manufacturing plant in Chennai, Peugeot is set to invest two-thirds of Rs 700 crores earmarked by the PSA-Birla venture. The initial plan is to bring in models based on Peugeot’s common modular platform via the CKD route while CBU models will arrive at a later date.

According to sources, the 208 hatchback will be the first Peugeot model to be launched in India. In fact the Peugeot 208 was being spotted testing some weeks back in Mumbai. A worthy addition to the premium hatchback market, the Peugeot 208 will rival the Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz and Maruti Baleno.

The Peugeot 208 will be manufactured locally and will come powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that is good for 82 HP. A diesel engine will be on offer too with the car getting all the bells and whistles like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 15-17-inch alloy wheels, etc.

Next is again a hatchback, the 308. The Peugeot 308 was unveiled earlier this year internationally with specs not being disclosed yet. This hatchback too will be manufactured locally and is quite a spacious car with a boot space of a massive 470-litres! With the second row of seats down, that massive figure turns more massive with 1309-litres of boot space!

As far as SUVs are concerned, Peugeot will bring in the 2008 and 3008 to India. A young design, versatile cabin and excellent choice of petrol and diesel engines, this is all that the 3008 is about. Powering the 3008 is a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 131 HP and a 1.6-litre diesel engine that produces 99-120 HP of power. Both the petrol and diesel powerplants will come in a choice of manual as well as automatic gearbox options. However, expect the diesel to launch first.

The Peugeot 2008 is slightly shorter than the 3008 at 4159 mm and will rival the Hyundai Creta. The 2008 features heated ORVMs, a tyre pressure monitor, ESP, hill assist and 6 airbags as standard. The same engine that power the 3008, will also power the 2008. Both the 2008 and 3008 will be available only in 2WD variants but a Grip feature will allow for various driving modes like Sand, Snow and Mud. The 2008 will be assembled locally while the 3008 will be a CBU.

As far as sales and service network goes, Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation Limited (a subsidiary formed by PSA Groupe with the CK Birla Group) will lay down the plan. A top executive at PSA reveals that vehicles manufactured in India will cater only to the Indian market and will not be exported.