2019-02-25 03:00
Peugeot has revealed the sharp new second-generation 208 ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, and while regular petrol powered versions of the firm’s latest supermini are due to remain the big sellers, an all-electric version dubbed e-208 is the headline grabbing news.
It’s Peugeot’s first ever all-electric production car, and when the e-208 arrives on roads this summer it’ll go into direct competition with the latest iteration of the Renault Zoe. It uses a variant of the new 208’s CMP platform dubbed e-CMP, which allows the electric supermini to roll off the same production line as its petrol and diesel powered siblings. It’s one of a handful of cars the PSA Group is preparing on the new architecture.
• New 2019 Peugeot 208 revealed
Peugeot claims that the electric version of the platform allows neat integration of the battery pack under the rear portion of the floor, meaning that bootspace in the e-208 is no different to that of its petrol and diesel siblings. However, no bootspace figure has been revealed.
On board is a battery 50kWh in size, which sends power to a 100kW (134bhp in old money) electric motor driving the front wheels. Peugeot claims a maximum range of 211 miles on a single charge, rated under WLTP rules.
It’ll take 20+ hours to recharge on a household three-pin plug, while using a dedicated home charging point will top the batteries up in approximately eight hours. Peugeot says an 80 per cent recharge is possible in 30 minutes using a roadside 100kW rapid charger.
As is the case with the petrol and diesel 208s no performance figures have been issued, but the e-208 does feature three selectable drive modes: Eco, for optimised range, Normal, and a Sport mode prioritising performance. The e-208 powertrain is likely to be an engine choice in itself available across a couple of high-end trim levels, rather than a standalone model.
Like most contemporary EVs, the e-208 arrives with smartphone controllable features through the MyPeugeot app. Owners will be able to remotely activate and deactivate the charging of their cars, while the app can also be used to pre-condition the climate control.
Peugeot is launching a number of new services alongside the e-208, which it says are designed to assist motorists buying an electric car for the very first time. The firm says that a range of at-home and at-office charging points and wallboxes have been developed for the e-208, while a service dubbed Free2Move will allow customers to access a number of public charging points across Europe from different providers using one pass. Free2Move users can link their accounts to the MyPeugeot app, which can then plan journeys based on the location and accessibility of charging points.
Design wise, the e-208 doesn’t change the game too much compared to the rest of the new 208 line-up. Bespoke details on the exterior are limited, with the only changes of note being the body-coloured front grille, the multi-coloured Peugeot lion badge and e-208 badging on the C-pillar. Inside, the GT Line version of the e-208 features bespoke trim inserts and grey Alcantara upholstery.
Peugeot has announced that the e-208 will go on sale at the same time as the regular petrol and diesel variants of the supermini, with order books opening after the Geneva Motor Show. Prices have not yet been announced, but cars equipped with the e-208 powertrain will almost certainly be the most expensive versions of the new model.
Battery leasing won’t be a part of the e-208’s sales pitch. Speaking with Auto Express ahead of the new 208’s reveal, 208 Project Manager Guillaume Clerc ruled it out. “We don’t want to complicate the understanding of this new technology”, he explained.
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