It only arrives in Portugal at the beginning of 2020, but we have already had the opportunity to be at the wheel of the unprecedented Peugeot e-208 , the electric version of the new French utility.
Recently, we saw Guilherme testing all versions of the new Peugeot 208, recommending the most balanced of them all. We left the e-208 out on that occasion, as considering its importance and differences to the other 208s, it undoubtedly deserved special attention.
In the video, you can follow Diogo aboard the new Peugeot e-208, where he will give you all the details you need to know about the French brand's electric proposal:
How much does it cost?
Available from 32 150 euros and can go up to 37 650 euros in the exclusive GT level, the new Peugeot e-208 is far from being cheap — even considering that, unlike the other 208, it doesn't pay ISV (nor IUC).
It's the cost of electrical technology; there is simply no way around it, at least for now. The price is in line with that of rivals such as the leader Renault Zoe — also the subject of a major overhaul.
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The cousin Opel Corsa-e — same platform and battery, but slightly lower autonomy — will be available for a price below the 30,000 euros barrier in its entry-level version.
The numbers
The new Peugeot e-208 is announced with 340 km of maximum autonomy (WLTP) and can quickly charge up to 100 kW, taking no more than half an hour to “fill” 80% of the battery's total capacity. And for now, when purchasing an e-208, Peugeot offers a 7.4 kW (800 euros) Wallbox without installation.
It is also the 208 that accelerates best — 8.1s from 0 to 100 km/h — and is also the most powerful, having 136 hp (and 260 Nm). It's also the heaviest of the 208, and by a large margin — blame the batteries (50kWh) that add 350kg of ballast.
It's practically 1500 kg, a manifestly exaggerated figure for a B-segment — it's heavier than most hot hatches in the above-segment, just to give you an idea.
Obviously, all this mass affects its dynamics, and despite reinforcements such as a Panhard bar on the rear axle, the e-208 dynamically doesn't keep up with its combustion engine siblings. On the other hand, it's the most pleasant to drive , consequence of the typical silence of electric vehicles.
Finally, the new Peugeot e-208 sits on the same multi-energy CMP platform as the remaining 208 — debuted with the DS 3 Crossback — with the battery pack being arranged in an “H” on the platform floor without affecting capacity of the luggage compartment, which keeps enough, but not referential, 311 l of the remaining 208.
Is this the model that will convert you to electric ones?