Tag Archives: SUV

electric, Motoring, Peugeot, SUV

Peugeot e-2008

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Electric SUV still feels like a winner

By Bill McCarthy

Peugeot’s compact e-2008 SUV has continued the firm’s electric revolution, with a facelift and an increase in power. The single electric motor, mated with a 50kWh battery now and a WLTP tested range of 251 miles.

There have been other tweaks and its bold, angular styling and extended grille are finished in gloss black on Active models, while Allure, tested here, and GT trims feature a body-coloured grille design. That is flanked by smart headlight clusters and flared air scoops below.

 The rear as well has an eye-catching look with a full width light bar housing the ‘cat’s claw’ style rear lights. 

Key e-2008 points include:

  • Electric Powertrain: The e-2008 features a single electric motor paired with a 50kWh battery. The power output has been increased to 156hp, providing improved performance.
  • Range: It offers a WLTP-tested range of 251 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for everyday use and longer journeys.
  • Exterior Styling: The SUV has bold, angular styling with an extended grille. Active models have a gloss black finish on the grille, while Allure and GT trims feature a body-colored grille design. The rear also features an eye-catching full-width light bar with distinctive ‘cat’s claw’ style rear lights.
  • Interior: Inside the cabin, there is a feeling of spaciousness and ample natural light due to the generous glass surfaces. The interior is of high quality, with soft-touch finishes and a sculpted dashboard. The e-2008 i-Cockpit has been updated with a new design for the 10-inch digital instrument cluster, and GT versions offer a 3D display. The layout and color of the display can be customized to the driver’s preferences.
  • Infotainment: The central screen includes a large digital touchscreen for controlling major functions such as sound, navigation, climate control, and smartphone connectivity. It features ‘piano’ key-style toggle switches and the familiar smaller multi-function steering wheel. Voice recognition is available for various functions, and there’s a smartphone charging plate.
  • Comfort and Space: The e-2008 is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate four adults with reasonable head and legroom. It offers ambient lighting, automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, automatic headlights and wipers, and a high-quality sound system.
  • Performance: While electric motors usually provide instant acceleration, the Peugeot 2008 appears to be slightly sluggish in this regard, taking just over nine seconds to reach 60 mph.
  • Charging: Two types of onboard chargers are available, including a single-phase 7.4kW charger and an optional three-phase 11kW charger. Rapid charging from 0-80% takes 30 minutes with a 100kW charger, or 7 hours 30 minutes with a 7.4kW charger.
  • Handling and Ride: Despite its SUV stance, the e-2008 is described as nimble, with good stability thanks to the underfloor battery position. The ride is slightly firm but comfortable, making it suitable for long-distance cruising.
  • Boot Space: The SUV boasts one of the largest boots in its segment, offering 434 liters of storage space, which expands to 1467 liters when loaded to the roof. It also features a modular split floor for additional storage options.
  • Safety: Peugeot vehicles come equipped with various safety features, including airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Braking Assistance, an exterior temperature indicator with ice warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

The e-2008 still offers a compelling package with a blend of style, practicality, and pretty efficient electric power, making it a competitive choice in the SUV market. The claimed electric range was almost achieved in perfect dry, sunny conditions and driving sensibly. but like all electric vehicles at the moment, when lights, wipers and heater are needed, it becomes more of a problem

Factfile

Peugeot e-2008 Allure

Price: £38,350

Mechanical: 156bhp, electric motor driving front wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 93mph

0-62mph: 9.1 seconds

Range (WLTP): 250 miles

Insurance group: 25E

CO2 emissions: 0

BIK rating: 2%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Crossover, Motoring, Volkswagen

Roc solid performer from VW

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Volkswagen T-Roc

By Bill McCarthy

Stylish, economical and impressively kitted out, it’s hard not to like VW’s compact SUV. The T-Roc, upgraded in  March 2022, has sold more than one million units worldwide

There are three versions, Life, Style and R Line driven here, with the very rapid R and cabriolet also available.

 It offers pretty good value for money, with the entry level offering a good range of standard kit.

In basic standard mode, it’s not exactly a show-stopper, but the upmarket R-Line adds bells and whistles to transform that perception.

It offers a more aggressive, sporty look with extra body kit, larger diameter alloy wheels, sports suspension, silver roof rails, while the ‘R-Line’ badging is always prominent.

It is based on Volkswagen’s flexible modular transverse matrix (MQB). which provides improved interior space and has one of the biggest stowage areas in its class, with 445 litres with the rear seats in place.

This increases substantially with the rear seats folded to a maximum of 1,290 litres. Extra space is available with a driver’s under seat drawer and front seatback storage pockets.

There are five engine options, with diesel power still available, ranging from 110 PS to 190 PS, plus the bonkers quick 300PS R version.

 The 1.5 litre 150PS petrol engine on this model mated to the seven-speed DSG auto box is a refined unit that delivers sharp performance through seamless gear shifts.

It has three driving modes and can hit 60mph in just over eight seconds, quick enough for most circumstances, but is also pretty frugal.

Equipped with Active Cylinder Management (ACT) which delivers automatic deactivation of two cylinders, thus saving fuel and delivering economy of around 45mpg.

It looks like a premium vehicle and is equipped accordingly. All models receive hi tech safety systems like passenger protection, braking and lane assist plus assisted braking and radar parking sensors and pedestrian detection systems.

The interior offers typical VW quality build, with logical controls and solid fixtures and fittings, with this model featuring sports front comfort seats with ‘R-Line’ logo on backrest.

The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel has aluminium inserts and ‘R-Line’ logo and rounding off the sporty look are stainless steel pedals and piano black decorative trim to the centre console and front door trim panels.

The digital cockpit includes a central touchscreen which controls smartphone connectivity, navigation and infotainment, while an eight-inch TFT colour screen behind the steering wheel provides real time driver information. The Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3), gives access to various online-based functions and streaming services.

Despite the sporty suspension on this model, the ride comfortable and passenger comfort pretty much assured with a well-insulated cabin drowning out most wind, tyre or engine noise.

As a compact SUV there some evidence of body roll with its higher stance on the road, but it offers good grip while the steering is direct 

Factfile

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 R Design

Price: £33,580

Mechanical: 150ps, 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

Max speed: 127mph

0-62mph: 8.3 seconds

Combined mpg: 46.3

Insurance group: 23

CO2 emissions: 138g/km

BiK rating: 32%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles