Peugeot's electric Mini rival one step closer to Australia

Peugeot’s upcoming Mini Electric rival has been approved for sale in Australia, ahead of a local launch sometime during 2024.

The Peugeot e-208 is an electric version of the French brand’s smallest hatchback, and is coming Down Under – though we’ll miss out on the related petrol-powered models.

A single variant is listed in the approval documents, with a front-mounted 115kW electric motor powered by a 51kWh battery pack.

This means it’s likely to follow the e-2008 in being offered in one well-specified trim level.

Tare mass is listed as 1455kg, with the e-208 measuring in at 4055mm long, 1745mm wide and 1465mm tall on a 2540mm wheelbase.

Peugeot claims the e-208, which recently received a mid-life update, has 400km of range on the combined WLTP cycle.

When plugged into a 100kW DC fast-charger, the battery is claimed to charge from 20 to 80 per cent in less than 25 minutes.

The front end of the updated e-208 now has a similar design language to the updated 508 liftback and wagon, as well as the updated 2008. The frontal lighting signature comprises three long vertical “light claws”.

The rear of the e-208 has also been reworked to include a black strip that houses the tail lights that have three horizontal “claws”.

Inside, the e-208 comes with a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This infotainment system can receive software updates over-the-air.

On the safety front, the Peugeot e-208 comes with the following safety equipment:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
• Driver attention alert
• Road sign recognition

It’s unclear how the Peugeot e-208 will be priced locally. The Peugeot e-2008, which uses a previous version of the e-208’s electric powertrain, is priced at $59,900 before on-road costs, pricing it above the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV.

The small electric car segment has been heating up locally with cut-price models from China, with the MG 4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora – all larger than the e-208 – priced in entry-level form at under $40,000 before on-roads.

MORE: Everything Peugeot 208