Snow Joke! Peugeot 2008 Crossover Shows Off Ski Skills At Sweltering Summer Launch Event

LONDON – June 25, 2013: The all-new Peugeot 2008 Crossover has demonstrated the capability of its pioneering Grip Control enhanced traction technology in the most dramatic way – by driving up and down an indoor snow slope.

During the recent launch event for UK media, the driving route took journalists out of the Summer sun and into the rather cooler climate of the popular Snowdome in Tamworth, Staffs.

Once inside, guests discovered examples of the stylish new compact crossover parked at the base of the 170-metre ski slope. First they took the wheel of a 2008 without Grip Control and struggled to get more than a few metres on the hard-packed snow.

Swapping to a car with Grip Control, which is standard on Allure and Feline trim levels with 1.6 petrol and diesel engines, the contrast in performance couldn’t have been more stark. Thanks to the enhanced traction control and all season tyres – a feature of every car with Grip Control – the Peugeot 2008 drove straight to the top of the slope. The average gradient of 27 degrees coupled with a 90-degree corner posed no problems. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, drivers were even encouraged to perform an emergency stop on the descent. The car’s advanced traction system brought it quickly to a halt with the minimum of fuss.

The launch of the Peugeot 2008 Crossover was the largest media driving event ever staged at Tamworth Snowdome, the UK’s first indoor show slope when it opened in 1994.

Grip Control is designed for customers with active lifestyles who drive on a wide range of surfaces and occasionally need extra traction. It is patented technology from the PSA Group, Peugeot’s parent company.

Acting through components which are already fitted to the vehicle, Grip Control works on the car’s front wheels to boost driver confidence and safety. Standard mode is designed for normal road conditions and where there is a low level of skidding. However, the driver can switch away from Standard mode using the dial located in the centre console, opting instead for Snow, Off-Road, Sand or ESP Off. The result is a level of performance usually associated with 4x4 off-roaders.

The all-new Peugeot 2008 Crossover with Grip Control costs from £16,195 on the road.

The Peugeot 2008 Crossover range starts from £12,995 on the road and is available in UK dealerships from the 18th July. Demand is anticipated to be as strong as it has been for the much acclaimed 208, which has already secured over 35,000 UK orders during its first full year.