Peugeot e-Lion Test Drives in Málaga: What’s Coming Next

Peugeot has a busy few months ahead, packed with launches and updates. To get a first look at some of what’s coming, the Lion brand flew us to Málaga for the e-Lion Test Drives.

The headline on day one was time behind the wheel of the new Peugeot e-2008, a model for which Miguel has already shared plenty of information and pricing. Even so, we’ll be publishing a first-drive piece focusing specifically on what it’s like to drive.

Before the day wrapped up, we also took part in a virtual reality session. Through it, we were able to sit inside the upcoming Peugeot 3008 and 5008-both due to arrive on the market next year-and get a closer look at several updates to the new i-Cockpit.

Linda Jackson, Peugeot CEO

Day two began at a calmer pace, with time set aside to talk with Linda Jackson. Peugeot’s CEO explained that she feels the brand has created something genuinely distinctive in its image, thanks to a clear design identity strengthened by bold visual signatures.

She also confirmed that by the end of next year, every model in the range will have a 100% electric version. As for entirely new models, nothing was announced.

Even so, Jackson did share a little more, noting that technologies such as Hypersquare are expected to appear in high-volume production models between 2026 and 2027.

She added that the rectangular steering wheel first shown with the Inception Concept also marks Peugeot’s debut use of steer-by-wire steering.

Looking ahead, there won’t be much room for niche vehicles, as prioritisation will remain essential. Despite that, future models from the French manufacturer will aim for an increasingly aerodynamic look and improved energy efficiency. She also pointed out that the best "easter eggs" can be found in the E-Legend and Inception concepts.

Back to the test drives

Straight after the conversation with Linda Jackson, the hotel car park is where the refreshed 508 was waiting for us, both as a saloon and as the 508 SW estate.

This updated model-about which we shared various details and pricing back in April-continues to be offered with plug-in hybrid options. That’s exactly the version we sampled briefly.

During this short drive, we used a (very) gentle pace to see how many kilometres could be covered in 100% electric mode. Getting close to 50 kilometres wasn’t particularly difficult, even though the trip started without a fully charged battery.

Later in the morning, before heading back to the airport, there was still time for a very short stint (and in heavy traffic) with the new hybrid version of the 5008.

In real terms, it doesn’t behave very differently from a mild hybrid, even though it isn’t one. With this new option, it’s now possible to travel for a while in 100% electric mode.

In fact, Peugeot even claims that in town, around half of a journey will be completed with the combustion engine switched off. To verify that, however, we’ll wait until it reaches the Portuguese market.

A packed schedule

The rush of new arrivals for Portugal is set out as follows: by the end of July, the new Peugeot 508 and 508 SW should be on Portuguese soil, including the sportier PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineering) option.

Then, in August, it will be the turn of the new 2008 and the fully electric e-2008 to enter the Portuguese market.

Between September and October, the new hybrid versions of the 3008 and 5008 join the line-up. At the same time, September will also host the international unveiling of the new Peugeot 3008-the model that will introduce the next-generation i-Cockpit-though it won’t reach Portugal until the start of next year. After that, around the same period, it will be time for the international presentation of the 5008, which will arrive in Portugal a few months later.

The fully electric Peugeot 308 versions are also due at the start of 2024, or possibly even before the end of this year. Shortly afterwards, we’ll also see the BEV (100% electric) versions of the 308 SW estate, the 408, and even the new-generation 3008, in February.

In other words, with all of this on the way, expect a steady stream of Lion-badged products over the coming months.