Peugeot has the introduction of a new small SUV on the agenda. The Peugeot e-1008, an electric vehicle that is called to take the place of the Peugeot 108 and that, in turn, will hold the title of access model to the range of SUVs of the French manufacturer. It is called to rival, among others, with the Dacia Spring.
The roadmap that Peugeot will follow over the next few years includes the launch of a whole series of new electric cars. One of the products that the French brand has on the agenda points directly to the SUV market and, more specifically, to the urban segment. A small, affordable, zero-emission car that will help drive this sustainable mobility offensive.
In the recent past, the possibility of Peugeot developing a new model that occupies the access step to the SUV range has already been commented on on several occasions. In other words, a “little brother” of the Peugeot 2008. This project is gaining momentum and new information from our neighboring country shed some light on it.
The Peugeot e-1008 will be an electric SUV to face the big city
At the moment, Peugeot supports a good part of its sales at the European level in its SUV range. To the aforementioned 2008 we must add the Peugeot 3008 and the Peugeot 5008. All of them are best sellers in their respective categories. The lion firm is aware of this particular commercial pull which, together with the unstoppable growth of electric mobility, is the perfect opportunity to venture into a project of these characteristics.
Positioned as a spiritual successor to the Peugeot 1007 that hit the market in the mid-2000s and never finished, this new model will be quite different. It is known internally with the code P44 and is part of the global “smart car” program that Peugeot is working on for emerging markets (India and Latin America) and Europe.
One of the main markets in which the Peugeot 1008 will deal will be Brazil. In the countries that make up MERCOSUR, these types of small-sized, affordable urban crossovers concentrate the bulk of sales. However, despite this journey that it will have to take in South America, it is in Europe where it is expected to play a leading role as an electric vehicle. And that is precisely the key. In the Old Continent, this new SUV will only be sold with 100% electric mechanics. The Peugeot e-1008.
Modern technology and tough style
The new Peugeot SUV will be powered by Stellantis’ CMP platform. The same architecture that we can find in models like the Peugeot 208. With the premise of adjusting costs as much as possible (something crucial in the A-segment), it will share certain technical elements with the next generation of the Citroën C3 that is already being outlined.
Regarding the appearance, the sketches that illustrate this article allow us to glimpse the line that will follow. Carlos Tavares himself, Stellantis CEO, expressly asked Matthias Hossain, Peugeot’s new Design Director, to rework the designs carried out during the era of his predecessor, Gilles Vidal. The 1008 and its electric version e-1008 will sport cubic shapes that allow you to maximize the space in the passenger compartment and the trunk. In addition, it will show off its adventurous appearance.
Although in the Brazilian market it will be available with combustion engines adapted to the use of ethanol, in Europe, as we have previously commented, it will only be sold in an electric format. This, together with its SUV status, will allow it to position itself as a more complete alternative to the Dacia Spring. Now, logically its price will be higher.
Taking as a reference the Peugeot e-2008, one of the best electric cars, the new e-1008 will have a smaller battery and a motor with reduced power to achieve a balance point between autonomy and performance. All this keeping the price in the spotlight to prevent it from going off.
Peugeot e-1008, a substitute for the city car 108?
In addition to occupying the position of access to the Peugeot SUV range, the new e-1008 will also occupy the first step of the European offer of the French manufacturer. The Peugeot 108 will soon leave the market through the back door and without a direct replacement on the horizon. Traditional city cars, although there are exceptions, are losing steam.
The e-1008 will be launched sometime in 2025. The manufacturing process will take place at Stellantis’s facilities in Trnava, Slovakia.
