Peugeot e-2008 GT electric Car Review

Peugeot has just released their new Common Modular Platform (CMP) that suits both electric (e CMP) and ICE vehicles. The first vehicle to be released was the small fun e 208 GT hatch and now the new e 2008 GT compact SUV. Both new models are also available with combustion engines. The benefit of the new common platform is that it was built with electric adoption as the primary focus and not the other way round. This creates a fantastic handling vehicle with the weight distributed in all the right places. As opposed to an ICE powered vehicle turned into an EV by removing the engine and adding the electric motor and battery pack.

The new Peugeot e-2008 is just the second model to feature Peugeots new futuristic ‘3-claw’ and ‘sabretooth’ lighting design as the brand moves into a new era of vehicle design.

Boasting the same powerful, fluid, and generous lines as the petrol version. The all-new e-2008 has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Like a body-coloured chequered front grille and a dichroic Lion which changes colour from different angles and comes with an “e” monogram on the front side panel and tailgate. On the inside, the passenger compartment has an exclusive Alcantara© Gréval Grey seat trim.

The Hardware

The 100kW electric motor (136hp) provides instant acceleration with its immediate supply of 260Nm of torque, as well as the pleasure of flexible, dynamic, and silent driving.

Under the floor contains a high capacity high voltage 50kWh battery, ingeniously positioned to save space in the passenger compartment and boot. It has a range of 332km WLTP, with zero CO2 emissions on the road.

The battery is guaranteed 8 years/160,000km for 70% of its charge capacity. *Battery life may vary with real driving conditions (weather, driving style, etc.).

Like most EV’s on the market, the battery can be charged using multiple methods, with the one question - how fast do you want to charge?

3-pin charging at home

The all-new Peugeot e-2008 SUV charges using a classic domestic plug for a complete charge, using the standard cable provided (slowest method of charging and not recommended as a main source of charge).

Accelerated charging at home

You can charge your e-2008 SUV more quickly and safely with a Wallbox charger, which can be installed in your home and is available through Peugeot as an accessory. This the preferred method of charging at home with modern longer range EVs.

Rapid charging

You can obtain 80% of the vehicle charge in 30 minutes from a 100kW charging station. A wide and rapidly growing network of public charging stations are available throughout New Zealand. For more information about public charging points found across NZ, visit the AA EV Charge Finder.

The drive

Driving an EV is certainly an experience that is difficult to top - if you love instant torque, and shun the internal combustion engine (ICE) sound and vibrations that come with it. All who travel inside can enjoy the quiet EV experience after a hard day, or the crisp clear audio infotainment system as you belt out those summer tunes.

We enjoy the fact that the Drive mode selector is simple to use and understand - ‘D’ for drive and then pull back on the stalk to activate the regenerative braking function.

Driving modes:

1. Sport: priority given to performance and driving sensations (0-100km/h in 9.0s)
2. Normal: optimum comfort for everyday use
3. Eco: optimises battery life and range

Brake modes:

The two ‘Brake’ modes (engine brake) limits use of the brake pedal while charging the battery as you decelerate.

1. Moderate: for a feel similar to that of a combustion engine vehicle
2. Increased: for deceleration controlled by the accelerator pedal

The suspension is surprisingly soft given EV’s are generally quite heavy vehicles. Therefore, the suspension tends to be a bit on the firmer side. So, you really feel that you were driving an SUV that is comfortable for the whole family to ride in.

Safety tech

All GT variants (ICE and EV) are equipped with an impressive suite of safety features and assists as standard like the Drive Assist, which guides you through semi-autonomous driving. With its Lane Positioning System and the Adaptive Cruise Control with the Stop & Go feature, the vehicle automatically adapts your speed to the match the car in front, which then results in your EV maintaining a safe stopping distance.

Other handy driver assist features standard across the range include Driver Attention Alert, Speed Limit Sign Recognition and Recommendation and Front Collision Warning.

All Australian and New Zealand variants have received a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.

Parking features

Parking is a breeze with rear parking sensors, which are standard across the range as they aid to help you get in that spot safely.

Visio Park 1

The rear camera offers a variety of views including rear grid view, 180° view, useful for reversing out of spaces and an overhead view making it easier when reversing near obstacles.

Semi-Auto Park Assist

In addition to Visio Park 1, this pack includes a semi-automated parking assistance, taking care of the steering function for parallel and bay parking scenarios.

Jet Pilot

Peugeots revolutionary i-Cockpit® 3D boasts intuitive ergonomics with its compact steering wheel, 10” HD capacitive touchscreen, and configurable 3D digital dash. The touchscreen displays all relevant information. In addition to this, your primary electric driving data is projected onto the 3D digital dash as a hologram, so that it is always within the driver’s field of vision: driving mode: Eco/Normal/Sport, battery level, and computer animation showing drive train operation in real time.

The steering wheel may look a bit small at first sight, but as you drive you start to appreciate how it feels and the ease of use. This feature also allows the i-Cockpit display to be viewed above the wheel as a Head up Display (HUD), which keeps your field of view closer to the road.

Cockpit is the right word that come to mind when looking inside, the displays and controls all angle towards the driver and are shaped like you’d expect inside a jet plane.

You can download the My Peugeot Smartphone app for free where you can synchronise with your account in real time. Using the app, you can keep an eye on the status of your vehicle (driving data and location). For example, you can see where the car is if the teenager takes the car out for the day. You can manage the maintenance and servicing for your vehicle, and receive quick and easy assistance should you need it.

If you need any more convincing

By buying a Peugeot e-2008 SUV EV, aspiring owners are able to utilise the full New Zealand Government Clean Car Rebate of $8,625.

This takes the net price of the new Peugeot e-2008 SUV to $63,365 + (ORC).

Another similar sized electric SUV would be the MG ZS EV, which is currently priced from $48,990 + (ORC).

Safety systems

• Speed limit sign recognition and recommendation 
• Airbags (x6): driver and front passenger, front side, front and rear curtain
• Forward collision warning
• Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) (to alert pedestrians at low speeds)
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Lane Positioning Assist (Semi-autonomous)
• Active Emergency Braking (AEB) with night function, pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Driver Attention Alert
• ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist
• ESP

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

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