More choice

Peugeot accelerates its electrification journey

Peugeot will introduce its first battery electric-powered passenger model to Australia in the third quarter of this year, with the arrival of its e-2008 SUV – nearly four years after the model went on sale in Europe.

Following recent confirmation of the e-partner van, the French brand says its all-electric small SUV will further broaden its Australian range, while offering a familiar look and feel to its petrol-powered sibling. It will offer the model locally as a single, highly specified variant.

Riding on Peugeot’s Common Modular Platform, CMP, and sharing underpinnings with the e-208, the e-2008 is powered by a 50kwh battery with a single 100kw-260nm electric motor driving the front wheels. The 0-100kmh dash is listed at a leisurely 9.9 seconds.

The electric 2008 is some 350kg heavier than the petrol derivative, tipping the scales at just over 1500kg.

Based on that figure, the model should achieve 290km from a full charge, which takes about seven hours and 15 minutes from a 7.4kw home charger. DC fast charging can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 28 minutes.

There is no word yet on pricing, though the e-2008 is likely to be considerably dearer than the similar-sized MG ZS EV, from $44,990 drive-away, and likely closer to that of the Hyundai Kona EV, from $54,500 plus onroad costs, or the Kia Niro S Electric from $65,300 plus on-road costs.

For reference, the petrol-powered 2008 range is priced from $38,945 to $51,188 plus on-road costs.

In terms of equipment, the e-2008 is expected to offer Peugeot’s 3D i-cockpit instrumentation, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment array with DAB+ digital radio reception, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity and a reversing camera.

Further standard kit should include keyless entry and start, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, voice recognition, auto LED headlights and wipers, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, park assist, wireless device charging, puddle lights, electrically adjustable seats, adaptive cruise control and auto high beam.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver fatigue warning, and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Peugeot 2008 with optional safety pack was awarded a five-star EURONCAP safety score when tested in 2019.

Peugeot Australia managing director Kate Gillis said the company had set out to accelerate its electrification journey this year.

“The exciting addition of the e-2008 will play an important role in building our electrified offering and ultimately offering more choice for Australian consumers,” she said.

“The 2008 has a powerful and distinctive style and now with the addition of an electric vehicle variant, this will certainly strengthen the appeal of our small SUV range.”

Ms Gillis said further information regarding the specification and pricing of the e-2008 for Australia would be released closer to the model’s quarter-three launch.