French automaker Peugeot, which unveiled plans to launch its first EV in Australia, the e-Partner delivery van, a month ago has now announced plans to release its first electric SUV into the Australian market later this year.
The -2008 is due for release in the third quarter of the year. The e-Partner electric van is expected to arrive in the first half of 2023.
“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,” saidĀ Kate Gillis, managing director of Peugeot Australia.
“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.”
The new SUV will be based on Peugeotās CMP (Common Modular Platform). The e-2008 will be fed by a 50kWh battery to deliver a WLTP range of up to 372kms.
It will power a 100 kW motor and a maximum 260 Nm of torque. This powertrain setup promises a more quiet and responsive drive.Ā
In other right-hand-drive markets like New Zealand, the e-2008 comes with a sporty interior. There is a compact steering wheel as well as a large touch screen. The dash screen is also configurable.Ā It can also be fast-charged up to 80% in 30 minutes at a 100 kW charger.
In New Zealand, the e-2008 is priced at $NZ75,990 + on-road costs, around $A69,000.
Dimensions wise itās 4,300 mm in length, 1,987 in width and 1,550 in height. For comparison, Australiaās third best-selling EV from 202, BYD Atto 3, is longer at 4,455 mm.
The e-2008 will launch locally in a single variant that would have generous options.
More details are expected to be available in the coming months as Peugeot gets ready to launch the e-2008 for Q3 in Australia.Ā
In the meantime, Peugeot has opened an expression of interest from those looking at getting behind the wheel of a European EV.
RizĀ is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.