Peugeot is fixing one of the flaws in its cars, with good news as a result.
Peugeot is upgrading the equipment across its entire range. The brand is addressing some shortcomings that have become hard to justify. Rearview cameras, adaptive cruise control, 21-inch screens… The French company seems determined to bring its models up to par with competitors.
Presented as a new benefit for customers, Peugeot’s announced upgrades mostly appear to be a modest effort to catch up. Over the years, certain features have become standard in cars, yet they were sometimes absent from the manufacturer’s base models.
Alain Favey told our colleagues at Auto-Infos: “By reading the comparisons published in the press, we noticed that one of the regular criticisms directed at Peugeot related to the under-equipped nature of certain models.” As a result, the Allure and GT trims are now called Allure Plus and GT Plus, with no change in prices.
Features That Are No Longer Exceptional
Let’s take the Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 as an example. Previously, the Allure trim only came with front and rear parking sensors, while the camera was available only on higher trims. It will now be standard on the Allure Plus trim, along with keyless entry and start. The GT Plus trim, on the other hand, gets connected navigation, Highway Assist 1.0, and wireless smartphone charging.
There are also updates on the Peugeot e-3008 and e-5008. Currently, the 3008 Allure comes with two 10-inch screens, while the large 21-inch curved display is reserved for the GT version. With Allure Plus, this prominent display moves down a tier in the lineup and comes equipped with connected navigation, adaptive cruise control, front radar, and an inductive charger. That’s a significant improvement!
The GT Plus trim adds Highway Assist, long-range blind spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert.
The 308 and 408 also address some shortcomings
There are also updates for the e-308. The Allure Plus gets a front parking radar, connected navigation, customizable i-Toggles, adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat, hands-free access, and wireless charging. The GT Plus adds Highway Assist 1.0, long-range blind spot monitoring, and a rear traffic alert system.
The e-408 follows a similar approach. Its Allure Plus version includes a front radar, navigation system, i-Toggles, adjustable lumbar support, and wireless charging. The hybrid versions also come with 19-inch wheels.
Peugeot now needs to convince buyers without these extras
This shift comes as Peugeot sees an acceleration in sales of its electric vehicles. By the end of August, the brand reported a 32% increase in sales of these vehicles across Europe. In France, Alain Favey, director of Peugeot, recently told Auto Infos that “the proportion of private customers among electric vehicle orders has risen from 20% to 60%.” Social leasing programs have provided significant support, with 5,000 orders recorded in just one week, but Peugeot also notes that demand is no longer solely driven by these programs.
Also read
Stellantis to shut down several French factories due to a shortage of batteries for its electric models
But with competitors launching electric attacks, this improvement in equipment (without price increases) still seems timely. Peugeot is also extending the Connect Plus subscription from six months to four years. Depending on the version, the value of the additional equipment amounts to 1,750 €. It’s a notable effort, but it shows there was still room to make the range more competitive.
