THE Peugeot 2008 it is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in Europe, but in order to maintain that status, or even, who knows, threaten the leadership of arch-rival Renault Captur — it also knows a new generation this year — it cannot give up.
And looking at these first images, Peugeot didn't leave its credits to others — just as the new 208 represents a considerable leap forward from its predecessor, the new 2008 reinvents itself with new proportions — longer, wider and lower — and a much more expressive style.
It seems to be the result of a torrid night between the 3008 and the new 208, adding new details, and taking a much more dynamic, even aggressive stance, distancing itself quite far from the first generation — here it is, without a doubt, more revolution than timid evolution …
Fortunately, the news does not stop with the new look, with the new Peugeot 2008 bringing more and new arguments to the super-competitive segment of compact SUVs. Let's meet them…
bigger, much bigger
Based on the CMP , the platform debuted by the DS 3 Crossback and also used by the new 208 and Opel Corsa, the new Peugeot 2008 grows in all directions except height (-3 cm, standing at 1.54 m). And it doesn't grow very little — the length increases by a significant 15 cm to 4.30 m, the wheelbase grows by 7 cm to 2.60 m, and the width is now 1.77 m, plus 3 cm.
Dimensions that place it much closer to the segment above, a necessary measure to guarantee space for the future 1008 , which will be the smallest crossover of the lion's brand, with a length of around 4 m, and which we should discover maybe even in 2020 — if the rumors are confirmed…
Expectably, the larger exterior dimensions are reflected in the interior with Peugeot complaining the 2008 as the most spacious of the models based on the CMP . In other words, it promises the best of both worlds; a dynamic and distinct style, but without sacrificing the role of (no longer so) small familiar, quite the opposite — the trunk, for example, took a leap of almost 100 l in its capacity, reaching the 434 l.
Gasoline, diesel and… electric
The Peugeot 2008 replicates the same diversity of engines as the 208, when it comes with three petrol engines, two diesel engines and also a 100% electric variant, called e-2008.
For gasoline we find only one block, the tri-cylindrical 1.2 PureTech , in three power levels: 100 hp, 130 hp and 155 hp, the latter exclusive to the 2008 GT. Almost identical situation for diesel engines, where the block 1.5 BlueHDi comes in two variants, with 100 hp and 130 hp.
Two are also available broadcasts. A six-speed manual transmission is associated with the 1.2 PureTech 100, 1.2 PureTech 130 and 1.5 BlueHDi 100; with the second option being the eight-speed automatic transmission (EAT8), associated with the 1.2 PureTech 130, 1.2 PureTech 155 and 1.5 BlueHDi 130.
Regarding the e-2008, despite being unprecedented, the specifications are nothing new, as they are exactly the same as what we've seen on the e-208, Corsa-e and also on the DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE.
That is, the electric motor debits the same 136 hp and 260 Nm , and the capacity of the battery pack (8 years warranty or 160 000 km for an operation above 70%) keeps the same 50 kWh. The autonomy is 310 km, 30 km less than the e-208, justified by the difference in size and mass between the two vehicles.
Peugeot e-2008
e-2008, special treatment
This is the specificity of the e-2008, which means that it has and integrates a set of features and services that we did not find in 2008 with a combustion engine.
The e-2008, like the e-208, promises high levels of thermal comfort, including a 5 kW engine, a heat pump, heated seats (depending on the version), all without compromising battery autonomy. Among the functionalities, it allows, for example, to heat the battery while it is being charged, optimizing its operation in very cold conditions, with charging that can be programmed remotely through a smartphone application.
e-2008 also provides a set of additional services, such as Easy-Charge — installation of a Wallbox at home or at work and access pass to the 85,000 Free2Move stations (owned by PSA) —, and the Easy-Move — tool to plan and organize long trips via Free2Move Services, proposing the best routes taking into account autonomy, location of recharge points, among others.
i-Cockpit 3D
The interior follows the exterior, as one of the most expressive and distinguished ones we can find in the industry, and is already one of Peugeot's trademark images.
Peugeot e-2008
The new Peugeot 2008 integrates the latest iteration of the i-Cockpit, the i-Cockpit 3D , premiered by the new 208. It maintains many of the features we already knew from other Peugeots — small steering wheel and instrument panel in a raised position — with the novelty being the new digital instrument panel. This becomes 3D, projecting information as if it were a hologram, ranking information according to its importance, bringing it closer or farther from our gaze.
As on the 208, the infotainment system consists of a touchscreen of up to 10″, supported by shortcut keys. Among the various features, we can find a 3D navigation system from TomTom, MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Technological arsenal
Drive Assist with adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function when associated with the EAT8, and lane departure warning system, bring the new Peugeot 2008 closer to semi-autonomous driving. It doesn't stop there, with the menu including parking assistant, automatic highs, among others.
Inside we can also find smartphone induction charging and up to four USB ports, two at the front, one of which USB-C, and two at the back.
When arrives?
The official presentation will take place later this year, with sales starting at the end of 2019 in some markets. In Portugal, however, we will have to wait for the first quarter of 2020 — prices and more accurate marketing date only later.