RAY MASSEY: Peugeot e-3008 is attractive, lively and comes in a fully electric version

The new Peugeot e-3008 may not be the most spirited driving experience, but it will appeal to many families’ taste buds.

Described as the French company’s ‘next-level’ fastback SUV, it is a zero-emission fully electric car in a new range of 3008 variants.

For those looking for a flexible, spacious and well-stocked car that will attract admiring glances, it has a refined appearance both inside and out.

The five-seat, front-wheel drive e-3008 is the first car from Peugeot’s parent company Stellantis (which also owns Citroen, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo and Jeep) to use a new electric platform.

I drove the 210 hp (73 kWh) single-engine e-3008 GT, the higher of two trim levels. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 170 km/h with a range of 526 km. It comes in a metallic shade called Obsession Blue.

Sophisticated: the Peugeot e-3008 is attractive, lively and comes in a fully electric version

The heart of the interior is a 21-inch panoramic curved dashboard with touchscreen and digital instrument cluster for the driver. Riding on 20-inch wheels, it proved lively on hilly country lanes and fast roads, with enough pulling power for a family.

It comes with a hefty price tag of £49,650, plus a host of extras including a heat pump to pre-heat the battery in cold weather (£700); a 360 degree camera-assisted driver package to help with blind spots (£600); Nappa leather seats (€1,600), and a ‘sensation package’ (€1,200) that includes a panoramic, split-opening sunroof and a premium hi-fi and air quality management system.

Ray piloted the 210 hp (73 kWh) single-engine e-3008 GT, the higher of two trim levels

Ray piloted the 210 hp (73 kWh) single-engine e-3008 GT, the higher of two trim levels

The heart of the interior is a 21-inch panoramic curved dashboard with touchscreen and digital instrument cluster for the driver

The heart of the interior is a 21-inch panoramic curved dashboard with touchscreen and digital instrument cluster for the driver

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 170 km/h with a range of 526 km

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 170 km/h with a range of 526 km

Riding on 20-inch wheels, it proved lively on hilly country lanes and fast roads, with enough pulling power for a family

Riding on 20-inch wheels, it proved lively on hilly country lanes and fast roads, with enough pulling power for a family

1716612517 385 RAY MASSEY Peugeot e 3008 is attractive lively and comes in
1716612519 251 RAY MASSEY Peugeot e 3008 is attractive lively and comes in

It comes with a hefty price tag of £49,650, plus a host of extras

There are finance deals that make monthly payments more affordable. Prices for the electric e-3008 in base Allure trim start from £45,850. In contrast, the 136bhp petrol-electric hybrid version with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is £11,190 cheaper, compared to £34,660 in the base Allure.

The e-3008 has an 11 kW AC charger as standard and 22 kW as an option. Thanks to DC fast charging, batteries from the standard range can be charged to 80 percent in just 20 minutes.

The Skye is the limit

The Skye is the limit. And what better way to whiz into the Bank Holiday weekend than with the rugged yet refined new Callum Skye beach buggy style, all-wheel drive, electric off-road vehicle, designed by former Jaguar design chief Ian Callum.

This week, order books opened for the small 2+2 car (two front sports seats and a rear seat for children), aimed at well-heeled enthusiasts willing to pay between £80,000 and £110,000, as it made its debut at the Concours at Savile Row event in London.

The Skye is the limit: the rugged yet refined new Callum Skye beach buggy style, all-wheel drive, electric off-road vehicle

The Skye is the limit: the rugged yet refined new Callum Skye beach buggy style, all-wheel drive, electric off-road vehicle

The 42 kWh battery has a range of up to 270 kilometers; it promises 0 to 100 km/h in under four seconds; and it has an optional ultra-fast battery that charges fully in less than ten minutes.

It is the first car from founder design agency Callum (callumdesigns.com) and will be available in a number of variants, including on- and off-road models.