PEUGEOT's latest 3008 model goes on sale in the UK in December - with a space age cockpit to impress.

The all-new model comes with a host of features to take it to a new level, but non as radical as the new i-Cockpit.

And while other car makers are offering similar features at an additional price, all new 3008 models will have the new sci-fi style cockpit as a standard feature,

It features an elevated instrument panel which sits just below the driver's line of sight and encompasses virtual dials which can be changed at the touch of a button.

Forget your conventional static speedometer, rev counter and other instruments, in the new 3008 they don't exist in the true sense - they are merely projected onto the screen and as such can be altered to suit the driver's preference.

And there is a clever element of back-to-the-future style theatre as the dials morph from one form to another or move to one side to make way for the satellite navigation.

SUVs are big business now with sales two and a half time up on those of 2009 so Peugeot has pulled out all the stops to ensure its new contender is ahead of the game.

The latest 3008 has far more road presence that the model it replaces, with a dramatic new-look aggressive grille, re-styled bonnet and an impressive amount of chrome-work around the windows, roof and lower parts of the doors.

The new car is bigger than the original with more ground clearance, more metalwork and less glass.

And for drivers who want to make a more dramatic statement there is now a two-tone paint design available on the two highest spec level models - the GT and GT Line versions - featuring black on the back and rear side panels.

Good news for buyers is that one of the new features, the change from a split tailgate to a one-piece unit, has - in conjunction with the fittings of emergency braking - slashed the insurance rating almost in half from group 20A to group 11.

Other driver assistance systems on the new car include automatic dip/main beam headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop facility, a driver attention alert function, blind spot monitoring and 360 degree vision around the vehicle using a series of on-board cameras.

But it's inside where the driver will really feel the difference. The high console between driver and from seat passenger has been retained but the steering wheel with its chopped off top and bottom has been reduced dramatically in size to allow easy vision of the 12.3-inch virtual reality instrument panel.

In the centre of the dashboard there's an 8-inch tablet-style touch screen with a bank of toggle switches below to access all the car's functions.

The car is available with a choice of 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels.

Prices start from £21,795 right up to £32,995 for the flagship 2.0-litre, 180 bhp GT HDi model with its 131mph top speed and 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds.

On the road I found the tiny steering wheel initially felt a little strange but soon grew on me and certainly gives the car a more sporty feel. It's a feature which is now becoming a trademark of Peugeot models.

The high tech dials are clear and precise although I'm not sure I would agree with Peugeot's "head-up display" description of them as you still have to re-focus your eyes from the road ahead to see them.

There's good all round visions thanks to the car's high stance and both the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel models I tried gave a good account of themselves at both low and high speed.

With both engines there always feels as if there is plenty in reserve and if you activate the Sport switch you get more dynamic, responsive performance, with the auto versions holding onto each gear for much longer.

The ride is impressive and there's no lack of space for front or rear seat travellers so this is a car in which you still feel relaxed after long periods behind the wheel.

The already spacious boot has been increased by 100 litres taking it to 591 litres with the seatbacks in place and a hefty 1,670 with them folded ensuring it‘s ideal transport for the family or the business driver.

One million 3008 models are already on the road, some 75,000 in the UK.

But the refinement, style, safety features and futuristic on-board equipment offered on the new generation 3008 should guarantee even better sales when deliveries of the model start in January.