The facelifted Peugeot 2008 makes its debut with a bold look and new mild-hybrid tech, plus more range for the e-2008 EV
Peugeot's 2008 small SUV has been a big success story for the French brand, routinely among the top three best-selling compact crossovers in Europe and topping the list in 2021. To continue that success, the French brand has revealed an updated 2008, sporting tweaks to the styling, a new electrified range of combustion engines and up to 252 miles of range for the pure-electric e-2008.
The regular petrol engine remains, with a choice of 99bhp or 128bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech units, mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. We expect performance will be unchanged compared with its predecessor, which accelerated from 0-62mph in 12.2 and 10.7 seconds respectively for the PureTech 100 and PureTech 130 manual models.
From 2024, Peugeot will add a new 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain, which the brand says consists of “a new-generation 136bhp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine, coupled with a new six-speed dual-clutch electrified gearbox that includes an electric motor”.
Peugeot claims that the 2008 48V Hybrid model can operate on electricity up to 50 per cent of the time when driving in town, with an improvement in fuel economy of up to 15 per cent.
When it comes to the full-electric e-2008, Peugeot has installed a larger 54kWh battery, which powers a new 154bhp motor on the front axle, offering an 18 per cent improvement compared with its predecessor. The bigger battery results in a 38-mile increase in range, with Peugeot claiming a maximum of up to 252 miles.
The new battery can be charged to 80 per cent in half an hour, accepting rapid feeds of up to 100kW; plug in to a 7kW wallbox and a full recharge will take seven hours and 30 minutes. An 11kW three-phase on-board charger is available as an option.
The brand hasn't yet revealed performance figures for the new e-2008, but other models from brands under the Stellantis umbrella that use this new e-motor, such as the Jeep Avenger, complete the benchmark sprint in around nine seconds.
From launch, the new 2008 and e-2008 range will be available in a three-trim structure: Active, Allure and GT.
Prices have not yet been revealed and will be confirmed closer to the car going on sale later this year, but expect a marginal increase over the outgoing model's £24,315 starting price for the current Active Premium+ entry-level model, due to the gains in tech that the new 2008 brings.
There's a new design for the car's 10-inch i-Cockpit digital dash, with a 3D display included on GT models. The panel's colours and layout can be customised.
All new 2008s feature a 10-inch touchscreen, with physical piano-key shortcut buttons located below to give faster access to key functions. From Allure trim and above, the 2008 features Peugeot's i-Connect infotainment set-up, incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. TomTom sat-nav is available as an option across the range.
Other tweaks inside include Peugeot's new badge in the centre of the car's small steering wheel – which houses controls for the natural voice-recognition system, activated by saying “OK Peugeot” – as well as a new GT badge on the bottom of the wheel on this trim level. GT models also get the option of new Alcantara upholstery, while the range features fresh seat fabrics and trim.
There's plenty of safety and driver assistance kit too, with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, extended traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. Peugeot's Advanced Grip Control system is also available, which alters the stability control's parameters to improve performance away from the tarmac in conjunction with all-season tyres, adding Sand, Mud and Snow driving modes.
The styling changes to the new 2008 and e-2008 are subtle, with a wider front end that now incorporates Peugeot's new logo, plus a “lateral” pattern that connects the car's light clusters. On base-spec Active cars there's a horizontal pattern; this is replaced by a vertical pattern in the same colours as the car's bodywork for Allure and GT models.
The new 2008 has adopted Peugeot's latest three-bar lighting signature, first seen on the brand's updated 508 and 508 SW, with vertical LEDs that are integrated into gloss-black inserts in the front bumper. At the rear, the car's three-claw LED tail-lights have been tweaked too.
There's also new trim badging dotted around the car's bodywork, while the 2008 EV now features a new 'E' badge in Dichroic Blue. Alloy-wheel sizes range from 16 to 18 inches, depending on spec.
Keyword: New Peugeot 2008 unveiled with electrified powertrains and e-2008 full EV