The new Peugeot E-5008 is an all-electric people carrier

French carmaker Peugeot this week unveiled its new all-electric E-5008, and before you ask, it is not making its way to South Africa any time in the foreseeable future. 

Set to go on sale in Europe later in the year, the E-5008 is a saucy looking SUV combining striking exterior design with a surprising amount of interior practicality.

With all seven seats in play it offers 259l of boot space, and with the third row folded this increases to 748l. With the third and second row seats folded the E-5008 transforms into a veritable minivan: 1,815l is enough to swallow up the trappings of most average suburban lifestyles.

As on the E-3008 launched in 2023, the E-5008 adopts the same Panoramic i-Cockpit, which places a small diameter multifunction steering wheel ahead of a gigantic wraparound 21-inch panoramic touchscreen, which handles both instrument cluster and infotainment duties.

Beneath it resides a row of customisable touch-sensitive buttons that can be programmed to provide quick access to 10 of the driver's favourite functions.

Depending on the model (Allure or GT), customers can look forward to niceties such as ventilated and massaging front seats, adaptive side bolsters to better mould to the shape of your body and an air treatment system which filters out pollutant gases and particles.

Built atop the firm's STLA Medium platform, the E-5008 can be ordered with a choice of three electric powertrains:

• The standard range model gets a 73kWh battery powering a single electric motor on the front axle. It puts out 157kW/343Nm and offers a driving range of 525km.
• Next up is long range model benefitting from a larger 98kWh battery and more potent 170kW/343Nm motor. Expect it to deliver a maximum of 660km on a charge.
• Those keen for even more performance can opt for the dual motor model with a combined output of 237kW and 515Nm of torque. Its 73kWh battery offers 500km of driving range. 

Like the E-3008, the e-5008 offers drivers three levels of regenerative braking (low, medium and high) which are activated by pulling the two paddles fitted behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both models are also compatible with DC rapid chargers at speeds of up to 160kW, enabling the standard range battery to be recharged from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes and under 30 minutes for the high-capacity, long-range version.

Peugeot said the E-5008 will also be made available with electrified (hybrid and plug-in hybrid) power units later in 2025. More details about these models will be published later.