Peugeot has updated the electric e-208 supermini, enhancing battery efficiency to significantly stretch its range between charges.
More power, more efficiency
The update basically transposes the battery and electric motor from the upcoming Peugeot e-308 hatchback and SW estate to the smaller e-208. That means a major bump in power, as well as range. The e-208 will now get the new electric motor that develops 156hp (or 115kW), which is a 20hp boost compared with the previous motor.
More importantly, the new motor brings with it much better efficiency. Peugeot claims that the e-208's electric consumption now falls to an impressive 12kWh/100km, which, thanks to a 1kWh increase in gross battery capacity to 51kWh, now means that the e-208 has a theoretical 400km range on a full charge.
100kW rapid charging
The rapid charging speed of 100kW remains intact from the previous model, and you can have up to 11kW of AC charging, depending on options. At 100kW you can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in 25 minutes.
As with the previous model, there's also a sophisticated heat-pump air conditioning system that includes a humidity sensor on the windscreen, which allows the system to maximise the cabin air recycling, keeping heat in the cabin for as long as possible and stretching the efficiency of the battery on chilly days. Peugeot reckons that this system adds as much as 40km of urban range to the car in zero-degree temperatures.
French success
The e-208 has been a big success for Peugeot - since the model was launched in 2019, 110,000 have been sold and it's been a best-seller in the EV category in France. We'll have Irish price, spec and arrival date details later this year, but don't expect the upgraded car to arrive in Ireland until the start of 2023.