Peugout E-208: Steve Teale finds himself unexpectedly won over
At last, I’ve driven an electric car which I wouldn’t mind keeping; thank you very much. I’m a sucker for a hot hatch. My choice was a Ford XR2 quite a few years ago, but I always envied my wealthier colleague’s 205 GTi. It was cooler by a long chalk. Now the 205 has moved on, and we have the 208. Tested here is the electric version, the E-208, which I found to be quite an inspiring machine.
Now the 205 has moved on and we have the 208. Tested here is the electric version, the e-208 which I found to be a quite inspiring machine.
I’m not the biggest EV enthusiast: they are fine for people with routines but impulsive souls can be stranded or delayed by non-existent or slow chargers.
But this model charmed me. Top speed of 93mph and 0 to 60mph time of eight seconds only tells half the story. It’s the way the car looks and handles which most impressed.
It is nimble, perhaps a little harsh for Yorkshire’s imperfect roads, but it feels much quicker than it really is.
It’s a good looking model without being brash or flashy and at £27,945 it is good value, I’d say. Those with tighter budgets could buy a conventional 208 from £20,495.
It is not a perfect car. Access is a challenge for the non-petite, partly due to the fact that this car is now a five-door. And it feels narrow so you’ll bump elbows with the passenger occasionally, but for me it is an exciting car. All the fun of a 80s hot-hatch with the refinement and excellence of a 2026 motor.
Peugeot offer this model as a petrol, hybrid and electric model, recognising my strong belief that electric isn’t for everyone. The range of 260 miles or so is good for most people, I imagine, but not everyone is happy to be limited.
The motor is fine. It charges quickly and offers plenty of swift power but it is also happy to be driven modestly.
It is well-equipped. The central-mounted tablet is a doddle to navigate and it has what must be the best steering wheel in existence. It’s tiny, allowing you to look over it rather than through it to view the dials.
Space is perhaps limited but there is a decent covered space between the seats and the door spaces are fine.
Peugeot is said to be offer the widest electric vehicle line-up of any mainstream European brand, with a total of nine electric car models - seven of which are eligible for a £1,500 saving through the UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG).
The 208 has enjoyed uninterrupted success since its launch at the end of 2019. In just over three years, nearly one million models of the 208 have been produced worldwide.
This success is due in no small part in recent years to the success of the e-208. In 2022, the E-208 became Europe's best-selling electric car in the B segment. In France last year, it was even the best-selling electric car across all segments.
The car might be a small hatch but the front is certainly premium. First introduced on the 9X8 Hypercar, the new 508 and 508 SW, then recently on the new 2008. The new light signature now also adorns the new e-208.
The three long vertical light claws are a distinctive element of this signature and are integrated into the gloss black inserts on the bumper. They have been shifted towards the outer edge of the car and help to give the 208 a more solid, visually broader stance
All new 208s feature this new front light signature. On GT versions, this light feature goes even further: the striking effect of the three light claws is extended into the lighting function of the full LED headlamps.
It is a deliciously equipped model. In addition to the new high-definition parking cameras, the new 208 offers ifeatures to make driving safer and easier. They include adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function and adjustable distance setting, plus automatic emergency braking with collision warning.
There is also extended road sign recognition and display on the digital instrument cluster: stop signs, one-way, no overtaking, end of no overtaking, in addition to the usual speed-related warnings.
Meanwhile, Peugeot has confirmed that its upcoming E-208 GTi will cost from £34,995.
The new electric hot-hatch has been designed to follow in the footsteps of classic Peugeot models such as the 205 GTi and, as a result, gets a host of design and performance tweaks over the standard e-208.
An updated motor kicks things off, with 280bhp allowing the E-208 GTi to get to 60mph from a dead stop in under 5.5 seconds and onwards to 112mph. Peugeot Sport engineers have recalibrated the motor to help bring better responsiveness than the standard E-208.
Peugeot claims that you’ll get up to 233 miles of range on cars equipped with the eco-friendly Hankook Ventus tyres, or 218 miles on cars equipped with standard-fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres.
The whole car has been lowered by 25mm over the standard E-208, while the front and rear tracks have been widened by 56mm and 28mm respectively to accommodate wider wheels and tyres for better grip. There’s an additional rear roll bar – joining the original front one – while a fully mechanical, limited-slip differential should give the E-208 GTi accurate handling.
The suspension springs and dampers have been updated, too, while 355mm brake discs are fitted up front.
A dedicated Sport driving mode disables the car’s standard regenerative braking, giving the driver full control over the car.
Inside, there’s an Alcantara steering wheel and centre console inserts, alongside sport front seats with integrated headrests. A range of red-coloured accents is used throughout the cabin, too.
The new Peugeot E-208 GTi is expected to go on sale later this year.
Peugeot e-208 GT Premium
Price: £27,945. The 208 range starts at £20,495
Motor: a 136bhp 51kWh electric motor
Performance: Top speed 93mph and 0 to 60mph in 8.0 seconds
Range: 261 miles
Warranty: Eight-year / 100,000 miles battery warranty. Access to a Free2Move Charge Pass, in partnership with Octopus Electroverse, that offers one-tap access to over 700,000-plus public charge points across the UK and Europe.