THE LIONS ARE COMING
PEUGEOT GOES ELECTRIC AT THE 2024 PARIS MOTOR SHOW
Peugeot made a powerful statement at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, reaffirming its commitment to an all-electric future. Already the leader in the French electric vehicle (EV) market for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and number one in the European B-segment with the Peugeot E-208, Peugeot is now aiming to dominate the mainstream European EV market.
To facilitate its customers’ transition to electric mobility, Peugeot backs its models with the Peugeot Allure Care program. This program guarantees the vehicle for up to eight years or 160,000 kilometres, covering the electric motor, charger, powertrain, and essential electrical and mechanical components.
Peugeot’s display at the Paris Motor Show included six all-electric models, several variants, and the exhilarating Peugeot 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar.
PEUGEOT E-208
The new Peugeot E-208 combines a striking design with a 115 kW electric motor and a 51 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 410 kilometres, making it a popular choice for urban and suburban drivers.
PEUGEOT E-2008
This compact SUV epitomises elegance and dynamism with a 115 kW motor, a fresh design, and a 406-kilometre range, embodying Peugeot’s flair for style and innovation in the zero-emission SUV market.
PEUGEOT E-308 AND E-308 SW
Peugeot is the first European brand to introduce a fully electric station wagon with the E-308 SW. Both the E-308 and E-308 SW feature the new 115 kW motor, delivering a range of up to 416 km, and setting benchmarks in their segment for both practicality and performance.
PEUGEOT E-3008
As a standout in its segment, the all-electric Peugeot E-3008 has garnered over 67,000 orders in Europe since launch. Designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, it offers three powertrain options:
- Electric 210: 157 kW, 2-wheel drive, with a range of up to 529 kilometres.
- Electric 230 Long Range: 170 kW, 2-wheel drive, providing a remarkable range of up to 700 kilometres.
- Electric 320 Dual Motor AWD: 240 kW, all-wheel drive, for enhanced performance and stability.
PEUGEOT E-5008
The E-5008, Peugeot’s large seven-seat SUV, is a unique offering in the EV market, combining space, comfort, and range with three available powertrains:
- Electric 210: 157 kW, 2-wheel drive, with a 529-kilometre range.
- Electric 230 Long Range: 170 kW, 2-wheel drive, with an extended range of up to 668 kilometres.
- Electric 320 Dual Motor AWD: 240 kW, all-wheel drive, offering high performance and versatility for larger families.
With a generous wheelbase, the E-5008 ensures ample legroom in the second row and seats in the third row, bringing comfort and spaciousness to the C-SUV segment.
PEUGEOT E-408
Premiering at the Paris Motor Show, the Peugeot E-408 combines striking style with high efficiency. Equipped with a 157 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor and a 58 kWh battery, the E-408 delivers 345 Nm of torque and a range of 453 kilometres, making it both powerful and economical for urban and longer drives.
PEUGEOT 9X8 HYBRID HYPERCAR
Peugeot’s 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar was a star attraction, underscoring the brand’s dedication to motorsports and the World Endurance Championship. Following in the footsteps of the legendary Peugeot 905 and 908, both winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 9X8 demonstrates Peugeot’s prowess in high-performance hybrid engineering.
“POWERED BY LIONS” DIGITAL CAMPAIGN
In addition to unveiling its new electric lineup, Peugeot launched the “Powered by Lions” campaign, aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation, with a particular focus on protecting lions. Proceeds from the campaign will support Born Free, a wildlife preservation charity, with Peugeot pledging to contribute 60% of its advertising budget to this cause.
With an ambitious array of electric models and a commitment to environmental conservation, Peugeot is charging forward in the electric vehicle market, setting new standards for style, performance, and sustainability.
STELLANTIS AND FACTORIAL UNVEIL GAME-CHANGING SOLID-STATE BATTERY TECH
Stellantis and Factorial are advancing their collaboration to bring solid-state battery technology to the EV market. Stellantis will integrate Factorial’s solid-state batteries, known for their high energy density, into a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs based on the STLA Large platform by 2026. This demonstration fleet aims to validate the technology’s real-world performance and represents a significant step toward the mass production of solid-state batteries.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries, using a liquid electrolyte, typically have a maximum energy density of approximately 270 Wh/kg. Factorial’s proprietary technology offers key advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including greater energy density (over 390 Wh/kg), lighter weight, enhanced performance, and potential long-term cost reductions. Stellantis selected the STLA Large platform – a central element of its Dare Forward 2030 strategy – for this project due to its focus on high-volume electric SUVs and performance vehicles from brands like Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
This initiative builds on Stellantis’s $75 million investment in Factorial in 2021, underscoring their shared commitment to technological innovation and sustainable transportation. According to Stellantis CTO Ned Curic, integrating Factorial’s solid-state batteries could significantly enhance the performance, range, and charging speed of Stellantis’s future EV lineup. Factorial CEO Siyu Huang echoed the sentiment, emphasising that solid-state technology could play a crucial role in the next generation of EVs. This partnership highlights the growing importance of solid-state batteries in the evolving EV industry, including the aviation industry, which would require an energy density of more than 400 Wh/kg for battery-powered flight.
LIMITED-TIME EV OFFER FROM VOLVO
Volvo Car South Africa has introduced an attractive new offer for the last quarter of 2024 to enhance the value of their electric vehicles (EVs) for local buyers. This promotion includes three significant benefits for customers purchasing any new fully electric Volvo model from an official dealership during October, November, or December 2024. The benefits are:
- One year of free public charging: Enabling customers to charge their EVs at public stations without cost for a full year.
- Two years of comprehensive vehicle insurance: Providing extensive insurance coverage for the initial two years of ownership.
- Three years of complimentary in-car data: Ensuring connectivity and access to digital services for three years.
Markus Cromwell, Commercial Director at Volvo Car South Africa, highlighted that this offer underscores Volvo’s commitment to providing significant value and enhancing the ownership experience of their EV customers.
Volvo Car SA’s current EV lineup includes the popular EX30, the XC40 Recharge, and the C40 Recharge. The EX30, known for its affordability and versatility, has emerged as South Africa’s best-selling EV as of August 2024. The XC40 Recharge is available in Single Motor Plus and Twin Motor Ultimate configurations, while the C40 Recharge is offered in a Twin Motor Ultimate variant.
Looking ahead, Volvo Car SA is set to expand its EV offerings with the launch of the fully electric EX90 flagship in early 2025. This model will join Volvo’s range of mild hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and EVs, reinforcing the brand’s leadership in the new-energy vehicle segment in South Africa.
Report by WILHELM LOOTS
