The Peugeot 2008 has received a mid-life update with freshened styling, a more powerful electric variant, and a new mild-hybrid model around the corner.
“The Peugeot 2008, including the e-2008, is an important part of our ongoing range in Australia,” said a spokesperson for Peugeot Australia.
“Anticipated launch details for the facelifted 2008 including timing, pricing and specification will be confirmed at a later date for the Australian market.”
The updated e-2008 gets a more powerful 115kW electric motor, up 15kW, while the battery capacity has increased from 50kWh to 54kWh.
The result is a longer WLTP electric range: up to 406km, compared to 345km in the outgoing model.
A single-phase 7.4kW AC charger is standard with a three-phase 11kW charger optional.
Early in 2024, the 2008 will receive Peugeot’s new 48V mild-hybrid powertrain which mates a 101kW petrol engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that incorporates an electric motor.
Peugeot says this results in 15 per cent better fuel economy and claims the new powertrain can, in urban driving, operate in pure-electric mode more than 50 per cent of the time.
This powertrain is also being rolled out across the 208, 308, 3008, 408 and 5008 ranges.
In addition to the new mild-hybrid and improved electric powertrain options, the updated 2008 will be offered with the following engines, each with automatic stop/start:
- A 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 74kW, mated with a six-speed manual
- A 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol with 97kW, mated with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic
- A 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel with 97kW, mated with an eight-speed automatic
Visually, it’s distinguished from the outgoing 2008 with front-end styling similar to that of the facelifted 508.
There are three vertical light “claws” integrated into gloss black inserts on the front bumper. GT models also get unique full-LED headlights with three light modules.
The “three-claw” signature can also be found in the full-LED tail lights.
Peugeot will offer the 2008 in Active, Allure and GT trims in Europe. Active models get gloss black trim up front with a horizontal pattern, whereas Allure and GT models have a vertical pattern.
There are new 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and badging, including the brand’s new logo. Okenite White also joins the colour palette.
Inside, there’s new upholstery across the range with Alcantara trim optional on the GT.
The 10-inch digital instrument cluster gets a new design, continuing to offer a 3D effect in GT models, while the wireless phone charger is now a 15W unit instead of a 5W one.
The standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, TomTom-powered connected navigation, over-the-air updates and a voice assistant.
MyPeugeot app connectivity now allows you to send journeys to the navigation system before you start the vehicle, and also helps you plan your journeys in the e-2008 by predicting the level of charge available when you reach your destination.
Peugeot says there are new high-definition front and rear cameras, and with both equipped it says there’s a 360-degree image of the car’s surroundings.
Allure and GT models have two USB-C outlets up front, while the Active and e-2008 have a single USB-C outlet up front. All bar the Active feature a USB-A socket at the rear.
Manual models also get a new gearshift knob, while the GT gets revised ambient lighting.
Available safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking with both daytime and night-time pedestrian and cyclist detection at speeds from 7km/h to 140km/h, as well as adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitoring, and blind-spot monitoring.
As with the 508, it appears we’re getting an additional variant of the pre-update model before the facelift touches down locally. Peugeot recently confirmed pricing of the pre-update e-2008 ahead of a third quarter 2023 launch.
This was similar to the 508, where the facelifted model was revealed globally and timing for a pre-facelift model – the GT Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid – was then announced for Australia.
Current e-2008 
Current 2008
Peugeot says it has produced nearly 700,000 units of the current, second-generation 2008 since it entered production late in 2019.
It was the best-selling vehicle in its segment in 2021, while last year the e-2008 accounted for 17.4 per cent of total 2008 sales.
It has proved less popular here. Peugeot sold just 354 examples last year, down 43.4 per cent.
Within its segment, that put it ahead of only the Citroen C4 (94 sales) and narrowly behind the Suzuki S-Cross (360 sales).
MORE: Everything Peugeot 2008
