The 2008 might well be the baby in Peugeot’s Sport Utility line-up but it is the first to utilise the company’s new e-CMP architecture. No surprises here that the ‘e’ stands for electrification, with this French fancy promising a theoretical range of up to 217-miles of zero-emissions driving on a full charge.
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THIS IS PURE ELECTRIC, THEN?
Yes – but not that you’d know it. There are some useful hints, from the full colour radiator grille that is black on regular 2008s, to a collection of ‘e’ badges on the flanks and the tailgate, to a lion badge covered in a special coating that changes colour in the light. Other than that, there is not much to say except that the full electric version of the 2008 mirrors the petrol and diesel line-up as far as specs are concerned, with the lowest grade (Active) coming in at under £30,000 once the £2,500 plug-in car grant has been applied and rising to over £35,000 for plush ‘GT’ examples. The interior is just as eye-catching. Slick technology, a combination of physical buttons and touch-sensitive switches, and a sea of soft surfaces and expensive looking plastics, put rivals to shame.
TAKE ME THROUGH THE RANGE
Regardless of what e-2008 your heart is set on, striking looks and a jaw-dropping design are both standard as are tusk-shaped DRLs, alloy wheels and LED ‘claw’ tail-lights. ‘Allure’ adds some visual chintz by way of silver accents for the front and rear bumpers and the door’s rubbing strips. Gloss black makes an appearance on the roof bars and b-pillars, while the cabin gets very cool 3D driver dials. Our ‘GT Line’ test car sported a gloss black roof and roof spoiler, full LED headlights and two tone 18-inch wheels. Inside, a 10-inch colour touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone functions are joined by a wireless charging pad, ambient lighting and contrast green stitching for the seats. Finally, black wheels, a panoramic opening glass sunroof, chairs finished in Alcantara and trimmed in blue and green stitching, and a catalogue of driver safety aids, are exclusively reserved for ‘GT’.
HAS THE BATTERY AFFECTED PRACTICALITY?
We put that question to Peugeot, because we thought you would ask that, and were met with a resounding “no”. As the e-CMP platform was engineered with a battery in mind, no compromises have been made with boot capacity. It remains at 434-litres and retains the ability to be raised to create a completely flat load surface – useful for those long weekends away. The back seats are 60/40 split-folding and when they are pushed forward, they reveal an extra 1,033-litres. Those are mightily competitive figures and they are sure to prove their weight in gold, particularly for young families. Longer than the original 2008, the Mk2 has more legroom in the back where two adults are company and three’s a crowd. Points are lost when it comes to access, too, because a high sill and a narrow aperture around the back footwells make access trickier than it ought to be.
NOW THE IMPORTANT BIT: CHARGING
Covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, the 50kW battery powers a 134bhp electric motor – a set-up shared with its e-208 brother, Vauxhall’s Corsa-e and the DS Crossback E-Tense. That trio are superior performers for the simple fact they weigh less. Still, the e-2008 builds momentum in an assured fashion. OK, it isn’t lightning fast compared to some rivals, but it is no slouch, either. You have three driving modes to choose from, with ‘Eco’ tapping into only 60% of the battery’s potential, ‘Normal’ upping this to 80%, and ‘Sport’ unleashing the full 136bhp. Obviously, the less you lean on the cells the further you can expect to travel between charges.
AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
A 7kW domestic supply will replenish the lithium-ion battery in around 7 hours at a cost of £6.50, according to Pod Point, or treble that (22 hours) using a domestic three-pin plug. Most local off-street charging stations are good for 22kW and take five hours to go from empty to full. Rapid charging is becoming more and more common, thankfully, and the e-2008 can accept 100kW meaning half an hour is all that is required for an 80% top-up. On the move, the customary whine from the electric motor and occasional roar from the tyres is all you have for company as the cabin is, by-and-large, well shielded from noise. Helped by a tidy turning circle of 2.8 turns lock-to-lock, the e-2008 is nimble around town and easy to predict on the open road where it corners neatly and securely. One trait the e-2008 shares with regular versions is a hotchpotch ride; this is especially noticeable on 18-inch wheels as they send a dull thud into the cabin should you fail to avoid drain covers, inspection lids or badly cracked Tarmac.
PROS & CONS
+ Looks great out on the road
+ Cabin uses quality materials
+ Rapid charging is standard
– Range is well behind EV rivals’
– Lacks real dynamic sparkle
– e-2008 proves pricey to buy
CHARGING: With 100kW charging capability it does not take long to top up the battery, which is covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. 80% arrives in thirty minutes and when connected to a 7kW home wallbox a full charge requires eight hours. So, based on current prices, a range of 160-miles in the e-2008 would set you back £6.50 – less than half the price of petrol or diesel. Two-stage regenerative braking allows you to recover some energy and enjoy one-pedal driving.
STYLING: The e-2008 has much in common with its petrol and diesel siblings but gets a dichroic badge at the front and rear that changes from blue to green depending on what angle you see it from on top of ‘e’ badging for both front flanks and the tailgate. All EV versions of the French car also have a full-colour grille and LED tail-lights. ‘GT-Line’ models sit on 18-inch diamond cut alloys.
INTERIOR: All cars from ‘Active’ and above have a full colour touchscreen and ‘Allure’ and above get Peugeot’s 3D ‘i-Cockpit’ that layers information in the configurable driver binnacle. ‘GT Line’ adds heated front seats, reversing camera, wireless phone charging and ambient lighting. Fit and finish is easily the best in Peugeot’s history and overall material quality pleases as well.
PRACTICALITY: Engineers have packed the lithium-ion battery in such a way as not to affect either the shape or size of the 434-litre boot, or do away with the adjustable two-level floor that leaves a flush surface when the 60/40 split-folding rear seats are dropped down. Access to the middle row when holding a child seat is easy but the high sill proves awkward when getting in or out.
SPECIFICATION
Price: £32,915 (as tested)
Engine: 50kWh battery, one e-motor
Power/torque: 136bhp/300lb ft
Transmission: Single-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
Top speed: 93mph
Economy/CO2: 217-miles/0g/Km
