Peugeot e-2008 SUV confirmed for 2023 arrival
Peugeot will enter the highly competitive Australian battery electric SUV segment in the third quarter of 2023.
The French auto-maker has confirmed the local arrival of the e-2008 in a single highly specified variant.
That suggests it will be the flagship of a range that in ICE form currently tops out just over $50,000 before on-road costs.
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The e-2008 is the second BEV to be confirmed by Peugeot for Australian sale, following on from the e-Partner Van that launches in the second half of 2023.
The e-2008 is fitted with a 100kW/260Nm electric motor fed by a 50kWh battery. A 345km range is claimed according to WLTP testing. The maximum fast-charging rate is 100kW.
Based on a modified version of the CMP platform that also underpins ICE 2008s, the e-2008 measures at 4300mm long, 1770mm wide, 1550mm high and has a wheel base of 2605mm.
On size that pitches it against the entry-level Chinese models from BYD, MG and GWM Ora, but the challenge will be pricing, as those vehicles all start under $50,000.
More likely, the e-2008 will be priced near the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona electric.
“This year, we have set out to accelerate our local electrification journey and the exciting addition of the e-2008 will play an important role in building our electrified offering and ultimately offering more choice for Australian consumers.
“The 2008 has a powerful and distinctive style and now the addition of an Electric Vehicle variant, this will certainly strengthen the appeal of our small SUV range,” said Kate Gillis, Managing Director of Peugeot Australia.
The e-2008 and e-Partner will join Peugeot’s current plug-in hybrid 508 GT Fastback and 3008 SUV in the Aussie line-up, with the 308 GT Sport PHEV also due to join the line-up this year. The 408 coupe-cross-over is also due in Australia in electrified form.
The plan is this.
People are screaming for EVs. So we will bring them EVs, overloaded with gizmos, a small battery, miserable range, and astronomical price – so no one buys them.
Then we’ll claim that EV sales are poor and continue selling ICE versions instead.