Overview
ON PAPER, it appears tough in 2023 to justify paying a Banjo beneath sixty grand – and that’s earlier than on-road prices – for a very moderately small electrical automobile that has a paltry-by-today’s-standards 328km battery vary and ho-hum 100kW most DC speedy charging functionality.
Studying the spec sheet additional, this 1.6-tonne small SUV has simply 100kW and 260Nm to pull it alongside by the entrance wheels. Not trying good for the little Peugeot e-2008.
Worse, its maker has already revealed a facelifted model abroad that apart from the standard visible and tech tweaks, will get 15 per cent extra energy and an even bigger battery pack that contributes to an elevated vary of greater than 400km on a single cost.
Maintain leafing by means of the brochure, although, and it rapidly happens that Peugeot Australia has thrown the kitchen sink at this factor when it comes to normal tools. Primarily, if the manufacturing unit in Spain can match it to a 2008, it’s included with the Australian-spec e-2008.
In any case, they should put all of it someplace in preparation for the brand new model to enter manufacturing…
However wait. We’ve all been seduced by lengthy ranges and even longer spec sheets from sub-$60K Chinese language-made electrical automobiles from BYD, GWM, MG and, in fact, Tesla. The quasi-European, Chinese language-built Polestar 2 is now not in that worth class however it’s conceivable that Peugeot patrons could be tempted.
A actuality examine comes within the form of Kia’s Niro. Comparable in dimension to the Peugeot, it has much more battery vary and higher efficiency figures however is a fairly bare-bones affair in base type whereas being round 10 per cent dearer than an e-2008.
However – and as European as our protagonist – the Cupra Born hatchback matches Peugeot on worth, has a whopping battery vary, sprightlier efficiency from its rear-drive underpinnings and first rate ranges of normal equipment – albeit with a little bit of give-and-take versus the e-2008.
The e-2008, then, seems to be like a tricky promote for a model that has had a tricky time promoting something in Australia for the previous few years regardless of the top quality of its choices.
However as now we have seen, Australians are going out on a limb with unknown manufacturers merely to get a style of the electrical car motion.
This may very well be Peugeot’s time to shine. And, after a few hours behind the wheel of the e-2008, our misgivings about its on-paper worth proposition began to fade.
Driving impressions
With the model’s merchandise already packing sufficient quirks, such because the polarising i-Cockpit structure with tiny steering wheel that you simply place low with the intention to see the high-set instrument binnacle above, Peugeot seems to have made the e-2008 expertise as much like the superb petrol model as doable.
A novel rocker swap model gear selector and a few delicate variations to the three-dimensional digital instrument panel, supplanting gas stage with battery state of cost and the tacho with vitality utilization and recuperation dial, are actually all that separate this automobile from the one which burns hydrocarbons beneath the hood.
Look intently and a further ‘zap’ icon has been added to the array of contact buttons within the centre stack, activating a brand new and moderately easy vitality effectivity and electrical energy circulate readout on the 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen.
The display additionally offers entry to native navigation and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity plus numerous settings, such because the eight-colour ambient lighting. Peugeot is getting higher at touchscreens however the one on this automobile continues to be laggy, taking just a few seconds to answer inputs from tapping the display itself or by means of the shortcut buttons and stylish toggle switches under.
As regards to elegant, the e-2008 inside matches its petrol counterparts for enchantment. That $60K price ticket begins to really feel genuinely justified in right here, with a advantageous combination of supplies, a way of solidity and intelligent design that mix to make this automobile really feel extra particular than you’d in any other case get in equally priced automobiles no matter propulsion persuasion.
Leather-based and Alcantara seats – energy adjusted with therapeutic massage for the driving force – remained comfy and supportive throughout our drive, all through which we famous that Peugeot had clearly added a layer or 5 of extra sound deadening to the e-2008 such was the outstanding serenity and refinement.
Making our means by means of Sydney’s crumbling suburban streets, the e-2008’s weight achieve of greater than 300kg over its petrol siblings was delivered to bear as stiffer springs fought to comprise the additional mass and sharp-edged growth joints elicited a hole pang from the tyres that no quantity of additional insulation appeared to quell.
Nonetheless, this was something however insufferable and we quickly got here to understand the mixture of predictable, instantaneous energy supply, glorious visibility, compact footprint and responsive steering that made the e-2008 an absolute pleasure to punt by means of site visitors.
We completely revelled on this high quality, whereas on sections of highway that repeatedly transitioned from free-flowing to lengthy site visitors gentle queues, the adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go operate and simple one-touch motion to pick out the prevailing velocity restrict plus that massaging driver’s seat diminished rush-hour unpleasantness to a minimal.
Pushing additional north into Ku-ring-gai Chase Nationwide Park, the petrol 2008’s remarkably gentle and lithe dynamics might solely be replicated up to a degree by the proportionally a lot heavier electrical model.
Though usually feeling secure, planted and mature in its highway manners, extra enthusiastic driving on the nationwide park’s rippled nook surfaces resulted in violent kickback from the in any other case numb steering that was made manageable solely by the excessive stage of energy help.
Thumbs up for the calibration of traction and stability controls on the e-2008, although, which even in these difficult circumstances and beneath duress appeared to work with moderately than in opposition to the driving force.
Not that it was straightforward to interrupt traction with the accessible energy and torque; not like many electrical automobiles the e-2008 feels pleasantly nippy moderately than neck-snappingly speedy however this solely helped it really feel much less jarring after stepping out of a petrol-powered car.
All in all, the e-2008 is match for objective dynamically as a suburban runabout that may ship massive automobile refinement for out-of-town jaunts and sufficient dynamic capability to really feel protected and safe on difficult roads for the overwhelming majority of drivers.
Switching between Regular and Sport driving modes appeared to make little discernible distinction, whereas on suburban stretches we discovered the super-doughy Eco mode appropriate for vary anxiousness emergencies solely, including a probably make-or-break 14km to the anticipated vary determine.
As regards to vary, the e-2008 we examined was displaying a predicted 318km with a fairly full – however not brimmed – battery and upon our return 90km later was reporting 210km remaining.
The touchscreen’s vitality readout stated we had averaged an honest 14.7kWh per 100 kilometres, which might translate to a theoretical 340km on a full 50kWh cost.
Throughout our drive, turning the air-conditioning on and off did nothing to the anticipated vary determine, which additionally remained secure in all however Eco mode. That stated, this was a gentle 20-degree day, so we anticipate vitality consumption to be extra diverse in much less comfy climate circumstances.
We didn’t have the possibility to strive charging the e-2008 through the launch program however one advantage of the comparatively small battery pack is that the so-so 100kW DC speedy charging functionality nonetheless leads to a fairly brief 30-minute top-up time for longer journeys.
When it comes to the person expertise, Peugeot appears to have conceived the e-2008 as comparable sufficient to the petrol equal – though extra pleasant in lots of day-to-day driving situations – to make the transition straightforward for purchasers.
Right down to the grainy reversing digicam picture, there’s no futuristic stuff occurring right here; aesthetic modifications are delicate and even the best way the e-2008 drives would really feel ‘pure’ for these accustomed to the type of torquey turbo-petrol engines and slick automated transmissions typical of European automobiles.
Even boot area additionally stays similar to the petrol variations at a decent-for-the-segment 434 litres with the 60:40 rear bench in place or 1467L with it folded, though the petrol 2008’s space-saver spare tyre is changed with a puncture restore equipment and charging cables right here. There is no such thing as a frunk.
Rear lodging is simply as cramped as within the petrol 2008 if all passengers are tall, although occasional brief journeys could be bearable and the second-row quarters are well-appointed sufficient, with an excellent view out.
Getting used to charging could be the most important hurdle for would-be e-2008 homeowners buying and selling out of a automobile with an inside combustion engine. And that’s not as onerous as many appear to consider it’s, particularly for individuals who can plug in at house.
As for the concept of dropping sixty massive on this small SUV, we didn’t get that far into our 90-kilometre take a look at drive earlier than we began coming round to the concept – after being steadfastly spec-sheet sceptical.
Our verdict? Don’t dismiss the e-2008 earlier than taking one for a spin.
