A cracker car: Armstrongs
When Peugeot springs to mind, I can’t help but think of fun, urban kick-arounds like the hot hatch icon 205 GTi and small but sprightly 106 GTi. Ben Selby reports.
The essence of these fun pugs seems to continue today thanks to the new Peugeot e-208 GT, a car which looks to the past but embraces the future.
As you might have gathered by the name, the e208 GT is the fully electric variant of the 208 hatch. The e-208 GT is powered by a 50kWh battery pack producing 100kW and 260Nm of torque. Range is rated at around 383km and plugging into a DC fast charger will give you back 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
Retailing at $67,990 +ORC, Armstrongs Peugeot are currently offering the e-208 GT with $11,000 off the list price before the government clean car discount of $7015 finishes by year’s end.
Outside, the e-208 GT has a certain “joi de vivre” separating it from other urban EVs in this class. Its 3-claw LED headlights dominate the front and 3-claw rear taillight cluster housed on full-width black detailing dominates the rear. Throw in some 17-inch diamond cut alloys and a couple of “e” badges on the rear three quarter and you have one handsome hatch.
Inside, Peugeot’s quirky design tentacles are everywhere, from the angular centre console to the small sports steering wheel which fits snugly in your mitts. Ahead of you sits Peugeot’s 3D cockpit, with 3D instrument cluster (which is kind of cool), a 10-inch touch screen infotainment display and the seven piano key-like toggle switches adorning that aforementioned console.
You have tech like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 4x USB ports, sat nav, heated leatherette and alcantara seats, a 360-degree rear camera with parking sensors all around, two levels of regenerative braking, an optional panoramic roof and safety gear like Peugeot Drive Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Active Safety Brake.
What’s great about the e-208 GT from the moment you get going, is just how eager it is to, well, get going. While it does taper off once you really start to move, the initial blast from the lights to the urban limit is pretty darn impressive.
The e-208 GT can cruise all day long comfortably on SH1 should you want to, but its natural habitat is the urban jungle. Despite it weighing 400kg heavier than the petrol 208, it’s amazing to find just how agile it really is. Sure, you can’t really corner flat and there is a minimal amount of body roll, but Peugeot have still created a great blend of everyday comfort with playful exuberance.
This pug’s abilities to make you smile while engaging in sprightly silent running make it a wee cracker.
FACT FILE
2023 Peugeot
e208 GT
Price: $67,990 + ORC
Powertrain: 50kWh battery
Torque: 262Nm
Electric Range: 383km
0 to 100km/h: 8.5 seconds
Wheels: 17-inch alloy
Cargo Space: 311L
