Peugeot to offer EV version of new 2008

PARIS -- Peugeot will add a battery-electric version of its new 2008 and a revised interior with more digital features in an effort to reach the top rung of the rapidly growing small SUV/crossover segment.

The new generation 2008 is slightly larger than its predecessor, with an overall length of 4,300 mm compared with 4,159 mm for the current model. Its more-angular styling reflects Peugeot's other two crossovers, the compact 3008 and midsize 5008, both of which have been sales successes.

Inside, the 2008 offers many of the same upgrades as the 208 small hatchback, which had its public debut at the Geneva auto show in March.

The 2009's interior has been redesigned around Peugeot's i-Cockpit, which positions a smaller steering wheel below the level of the instrument panel for better visibility. The instrument panel is now digital, with the option of having alerts appear as three-dimensional. The central touchscreen can be ordered in a 10-inch diagonal size, and many functions can be activated by voice command.

Driving aids include Drive Assist, which combines active cruise control and lane positioning to allow nearly hands-free cruising. Park Assist manages the steering while parallel parking, provided there is at least 60 cm of extra space. Automatic emergency braking now distinguishes between pedestrians and cyclists, Peugeot says.

The 2008's internal-combustion powertrain options include a three-cylinder 1.2-liter gasoline engine with 100 hp, 130 hp or 155 hp; and a four-cylinder 1.5-liter diesel with 100 hp or 130 hp.

The full-electric version will have a 100 kilowatt motor the produces the equivalent of 136 hp and 260 Newton meters of torque. A 50 kilowatt-hour battery offers a range 310 km (193 miles) on Europe's WLTP certification cycle, Peugeot says.

As with the 208, which also has an electric version, the battery comes with an eight-year or 160,000 km guarantee. Charging time with an 11 kW wall box is between five hours and 15 minutes and eight hours. Up to 80 percent power can be recovered in 30 minutes with a 100 kW high-output charging station, Peugeot says.

The current 2008, introduced in 2013, has been a hit for Peugeot, with European sales ramping up to nearly 180,000 in 2017, and tapering off only slightly in 2018 and this year.

The model was the fourth-best-selling subcompact SUV/crossover in Europe through May, with 77,921 sales, down 5 percent over the same period in 2018, according to data from JATO Dynamics.

The 2008 trailed the Dacia Duster, whose sales increased 20 percent to 94,497; the Volkswagen T-Roc (93,710, up 72 percent) and the Renault Captur (92,378, down 2 percent). Other competitors include the Citroen C3 Aircross, Ford EcoSport, Opel Crossland X, Seat Arona and Hyundai Kona.

The new 2008 joins a growing segment where competition is also growing.

European sales in the small SUV/crossover segment will rise to 1.99 million this year and 2.16 million in 2020 from 1.83 million last year, LMC Automotive forecasts.

The growth has prompted Ford to develop a second model, called Puma, which launches toward the end of the year and will be sold alongside the EcoSport. Skoda will be joining the segment next year with the Kamiq. Toyota is expected to add a small SUV positioned below the compact C-HR. Renault is expected to shortly introduce the next-generation Captur, with a plug-in hybrid version.

The 2008 is built on PSA Group's CMP architecture, which it developed with Chinese partner Dongfeng. It is designed to accept both internal-combustion and electric powertrains. Other new models on CMP include the DS 3 Crossback, Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208, with a new version of the Opel Mokka expected next year.

The 2008 will reach the market at the end of this year, with production at PSA Group's factories in Vigo, Spain, and Wuhan, China.