Peugeot 208 Debuts in Japan, Offering Gasoline and EV Options | Peugeot
PEUGEOT 208
PEUGEOT e-208
The Peugeot 208 Debuts in Japan, Offering Gasoline and EV Options
On July 2, Groupe PSA Japan announced the "208," a B-segment compact hatchback from the Peugeot brand, and the pure EV "e-208," commencing sales on the same day.
Shared Design and Driving Pleasure, Regardless of Powertrain
The new 208 offers a choice of different energy sources at launch – electric (EV) and internal combustion engine (ICE) – while maintaining a common design, driving pleasure, and space efficiency across both powertrains.
For its debut, Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato commented, "With composure and purpose, the great story of our brand continues. Please enjoy the new Peugeot 208 as if you were choosing a gift. The new model, which redefines the standards of the B-segment in terms of concept, design, safety, environmental performance, and ride quality, has won the European Car of the Year 2020 and the Red Dot Design Award 2020. For the 208, ICE and EV are equal. We offer the freedom to choose based on the user's lifestyle, usage, and preferences, while ensuring fundamental automotive aspects like functionality, equipment, and space are equivalent."
The new 208 measures 4,095mm in length, 1,745mm in width, and 1,445mm in height (Allure and GT Line are 20mm taller), making it 120mm longer, 5mm wider, and 25mm lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase is 2,540mm, and the curb weight is 1,160kg (GT Line is 10kg heavier). The minimum turning radius remains the same at 5.4m.
The exterior features a condensed design, characterized by full LED headlights with the signature three-claw motif of the new generation Peugeot, the so-called saber daytime running lights extending downwards, the lion emblem at the center of the grille, the "208" badge at the tip of the hood, and three-claw taillights. It is inspired by the PEUGEOT FRACTAL Concept, which had its world premiere at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The interior adopts the latest version of PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, featuring a 3D display for the instrument panel positioned in the zone above the steering wheel.
The powertrain, mounted on the PSA Group's latest generation CMP platform, for the 208 consists of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline turbo engine producing a maximum output of 100ps and a maximum torque of 205Nm. Combined with the electronically controlled 8-speed automatic transmission EAT8, it achieves a fuel economy of 19.5 km/L (JC08 mode).
The e-208 is equipped with an electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 136ps (100kW) and a maximum torque of 260Nm. Depending on the drive mode, it can be set to 100kW/260Nm in Sport, 80kW/220Nm in Normal, and 60kW/180Nm in Eco. Additionally, the B brake mode, one of two available (D and B), allows for one-pedal driving.
The 50kWh lithium-ion battery provides a maximum driving range of 340km in the European WLTP cycle. The 220-liter battery unit is distributed and housed beneath the front and rear seats, and in the center console, ensuring interior space comparable to the gasoline model.
Charging takes approximately 18 hours for a full charge and just under 4 hours for 50km of range using a 3kW, 15A, 200V standard outlet. With a 6kW, 200V wall box, it takes about 9 hours for a full charge and just under 2 hours for 50km. CHAdeMO rapid charging can achieve an 80% charge in approximately 50 minutes.
Safety features include standard advanced driver-assistance systems such as Active Safety Brake, Active Cruise Control, Lane Positioning Assist, and Lane Keep Assist. Remote control of charging schedules and climate control is possible via a smartphone app.
Peugeot's proposed TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) concept aims to make gasoline cars and EVs equally viable options by calculating the overall cost, including vehicle price, energy costs, insurance, maintenance, taxes, subsidies, and loan interest, demonstrating that monthly ownership costs are comparable for both ICE and EV models. Prices range from 2,399,000 to 2,930,000 yen for the gasoline 208, and from 3,899,000 to 4,230,000 yen for the electric e-208.
