Meet the all‑new Peugeot 2008 and e‑2008 SUV

Yes, Peugeot’s smallest SUV has been given the much-needed overhaul we’ve been expecting for a while. Built on the new Common Modular Platform (CMP) the new car is 14cm longer than its predecessor at 4.3m, and will be available with a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine with three power outputs and a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel, but it’s the electric powertrain that’s headline news.

The e-2008 – Peugeot’s second EV model after the e-208 – features an 100kW (136bhp) electric motor with 192lb ft of instant torque, powered by a 50kWh battery. Under the strict laboratory conditions of the WLTP test it was capable of running for 193 miles on a single charge.

Using 100kW rapid charging technology, the e-2008 will take just 30 minutes to charge to 80 per cent, while a full charge on conventional 11kW and 7.4kW fast chargers will take five and eight hours respectively. Thanks to the MyPeugeot app, owners will be able to pre-set charging times and check the car’s current charge level remotely (as well as adjusting heating and air conditioning).

The 100 per cent electric SUV will make use of two forms of energy recovery, with the ‘D’ drive providing similar levels of engine braking to a standard diesel or petrol model, while ‘B’ provides more regenerative braking when you lift off the throttle.

Handily, Peugeot will launch a range of charging accessories to go with the e-2008, including a heavy-duty socket, various wall boxes, an electric trip planning tool and a Europe-wide ‘charge pass’, with which drivers are able to pre-select terminals according to distance, speed and price of recharging. Interestingly, this also includes a ‘Mobility Pass’, which offers ‘extended mobility by means of a pass for a rental internal combustion engine when needed’…

Setting the e-SUV apart from its conventional counterparts is a dichroic Lion emblem, which looks either green or blue depending on the angle from which it is viewed, an ‘e’ badge on the front side panel and tailgate, a body-coloured chequered front grille and a holographic illustration depicting the operation of the powertrain in real time.

Meanwhile, both the 2008 SUV and the e-2008 SUV will be available in Active, Allure, GT Line and GT trim levels, with the top spec GT featuring signature LED rear lights, diamond cut 18-inch aluminum wheels with coloured inserts and a black trimmed interior with contrast stitching and mood lighting. A number of colour options will be available, including the new ‘Fusion Orange’.

The cabin also features a 10-speaker FOCAL entertainment system, plus the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, with a new holographic head-up display. The centre console can be specified with a 10-inch colour touchscreen, with TomTom Traffic connected 3D Navigation, while MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity will come as standard.

And of course, as standard, you get the likes of with the likes of speed limit and traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist and blind spot monitoring.