AS well as introducing hybrid electric four wheel drive technology, Peugeot has armed another of its 3008s crossovers with special traction control.

Called grip control, it uses the car's stability control system, plus mud and snow front tyres, to give extra traction in difficult conditions such as snow and ice.

It was the first two wheel drive car to climb the one in three slope of the Snowdome indoor ski slope in Tamworth, Staffs.

Grip Control is an intelligent traction control system that works with the vehicle's electronic stability programme to maintain the best possible traction from both front wheels.

It has five selectable operating modes which can be chosen by the driver from a dedicated control mounted on the centre console.

There was no snow while I had the car, but it handled some wet grassy slopes with ease and that's good enough for me.

Power in my test car came from the 112bhp 1.6 diesel and while fairly slow, was more than enough for most people.

The 3008 has loads of family space, a good driving position and plenty of kit in SR spec, which gets grip control as standard.

 But I found there was a rocking motion at speed on country roads that spoiled the quality of the ride somewhat.