The new Peugeot e-308 is the French firm’s crucial new entry into the electric family hatch segment, going up against the Volkswagen ID 3 with the choice of two bodystyles and more than 248 miles of range.
Revealed today in hatchback and estate forms – the latter of which Peugeot says is the first EV estate from a European manufacturer – the e-308 rides on the familiar Stellantis group EMP2 architecture but introduces a new electric powertrain not yet used on any other model in the multi-brand manufacturer’s portfolio.
A front-mounted motor endows the hatchback with 156bhp, 22bhp more than the technically similar Peugeot e-208 supermini and e-2008 crossover, and 192lb ft. The firm hasn’t yet revealed performance details, but a 0-62mph time of around 8.0sec is expected.
Power is supplied by a 51kWh (usable) battery, which is only slightly larger than that used by smaller Stellantis EVs, but which uses a new chemical composition comprising 80% nickel, 10% manganese and 10% cobalt for improved efficiency. It can be charged at up to 100kW - giving a 20-80% top-up time of less than 25 minutes.
Together with low-friction tyres, aero-focused wheel designs and a subtle aero-themed, EV-specific makeover, this means the e-308 runs at a claimed 12.7kWh per 62 miles, which Peugeot calls "a benchmark among 100% electric vehicles in the C-segment".
Due on sale next year, the e-308 joins pure-combustion petrol and diesel options and a pair of plug-in hybrids in the 308 line-up - with which it shares the bulk of its exterior design cues and its i-Cockpit interior layout. Prices have not yet been confirmed, but expect the EV to start at around £35,000.
The closely related Vauxhall Astra will also receive a pure-electric variant next year, with identical battery and motor hardware, priced at around the same point and similarly available in hatch and estate guises. Until the Peugeot and Vauxhall launch, the MG 5 EV remains the only 'mainstream' electric estate car on sale.
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So basically the same e-platform as the 208, but with a revised battery and slightly bigger motor (or the same motor with the settings turned up...).
Hopefully they can sort the range, and the post 50% charging, the Corsa-e charging slows now a lot when it's 50% full.
Oh, and winter. They need to sort winter. My 6 month old 3000 mile Corsa-e was showing 62 miles of range when full last winter, and that's with sparing use of the heater.
62 miles of range from a 50kw Corsa is awful. My Ioniq 5 which has a 73kw battery has been getting 328 miles of range in summer and this drops to around 280 miles in winter. If your batteries perform in a similar manner you should be getting around 190-210 miles
Some entry and mid-level OEMs seem to think they can step up to premium pricing and leave their existing client bases behind and grab new customers.
Chinese brands are going to eat some "legacy" manufacturers for breakfast.
Recent Chinese brands bringing cars to Europe include Aiways, Ora, MG, Xpeng, Nio and loads more.
The real brand that will make a true impact is BYD. They will offer their Atto 3 in RHD in Q1 2023. Their big news is they are building a factory in Thailand, which is an RHD market, that will open in 24 months. They also own their own battery and chip manufacturers.
I wonder who will be the first major brand to disappear...I think SEAT will be replaced by Cupra allowing VAG to charge more for a car made in the same factory.
Politics have nothing to do with it
Last time i looked the Government didn't sell cars
Manufacturers taking an advantage of people wanting an Electric car so price them higher.
The range has stalled or manufacturers are happy to stick with what they have.
So the fact that has Government legistation, first providng significantly more attractive taxation incentives for EVs and then only allowing EVs to be sold from 2035, has nothing to do with it?!!
It's 2022 not 2035, you can still but 308 for £25k.
A manufacturer is free to ask as much as they like. If they don't price it right, it doesn't sell.
Its not manufacturers taking 'advantage'
Material costs for a BEV vs ICE is considerably more. Manufactures are just trying to maintain their margins and usually are still loosing money selling a BEV vs an ICE.