Peugeot’s petite electric sports utility achieves new smarts.

UPGRADED technology, altered styling and 78km more driving range have been applied to Peugeot’s e-2008 electric crossover, but there’s no clarity yet about when Kiwis will benefit.

The model’s facelift has just revealed in Europe and, visually, brings it up to speed looks-wise with the refreshed 308 that has begun to supply here, notably with adoption of Peugeot's new shield-shaped badge in the middle of a restyled - and wider - grille.

The '2008' badge has been moved from the bonnet to the top of the grille and the front apron is redesigned. The lion's claw motif of the outgoing 2008 retains, but now it's part of the 'face' rather than just in the headlights, which are now full LED types.

All versions have new LED lights, new rear badging and a new font for the Peugeot monogram across the rear.  

Gloss-black door mirrors are standard and it adopts what the brand calls all-new ‘disruptive’ alloy wheel designs. 

An updated interior gets new fabrics and accent materials, including suede-cloth for the flagship GT trim.

All variants benefit from the new - and configurable - 10-inch digital cluster and they all get a 10-inch touchscreen as well. This runs the Peugeot i-Connect system including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an 'OK Peugeot' voice-control feature. It enables over the air updates. 

Peugeot has increased the E-2008’s power by 15kW, to 115kW/260Nm from a single front-mounted electric motor.  The 54kWh battery pack is of 4kWh larger capacity than the battery in the outgoing car. Peugeot quotes a WLTP range of 405 kilometres, representing a useful 100km increase. It says this isn’t just because of the battery. Aerodynamics and motor efficiencies also influence.

Charging remains similar, with a 20-80 per cent charge taking 30 minutes at a 100kW (DC) public charging station. A 7.4kW wallbox will complete the same interval in four hours and 40 minutes.