PEUGEOT today presented in London a major evolution of its grand tourer in the D segment, allowing the new PEUGEOT 508 to express the Brand’s move up-market.
The new PEUGEOT bears a new grille, emblematic of the Brand’s future models, and is fitted with the latest equipment, like the touch screen, reversing camera and blind spot sensors. It also benefits from economical and efficient Euro 6 power units, such as the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed manual that, with CO2 emissions of just 105g/km, is the best in the segment for this level of engine power. The new car will be presented to the public in August simultaneously at the forthcoming Moscow and Chengdu Motor Shows, then at the Paris Motor Show, with sales starting in Europe from September.
The original styling of the PEUGEOT 508, inspired and full of elegance, was already evocative of a robust vehicle with irreproachable build quality. PEUGEOT’s designers built on these qualities to produce a vehicle with even more technology, strength and character.
The new grille design is an essential element of the PEUGEOT 508’s style. More vertical and from now on including the PEUGEOT Lion at its centre, it is a clear salute to its illustrious predecessors in the ‘5’ range. It also allows the new PEUGEOT 508 to introduce a corporate style at the front that is more self-assured and endowing greater status, which will also be progressively deployed on the Brand’s future models.
The front of the vehicle is also characterised by the distinctive front lamps – headlamps, daytime running lamps, direction indicators, front foglamps – highly technological 100% LED. The visual signature – a ‘comma’ on the Saloon and the SW, ‘claws’ on the RXH – assured by the daytime running lamps, are integrated into the bumper, clearly identifying the emblematic presence of the new PEUGEOT 508. The new headlamps, their compact size and highly structured lenses accentuate the distinctive and technological aspect of the vehicle.
The bonnet has also been redesigned to make it more horizontal, firmly placing the three versions in the world of top-of-the-range vehicles, on the Saloon improving the balance between front and rear, while the rear end is more structured, with a redesigned rear bumper which is distinguished from the boot while enhancing its protective function. The rear lamps on the Saloon have also been redesigned to make them more horizontal than previously, whether viewed from the side or from directly behind and the opalescent red effect of the three claws provides a visual signature that delivers a strongly identifying and technological effect.
The interior has been improved, with a dashboard that now includes a 7” touch screen grouping together in an intuitive way most of the vehicles functionalities. As a result, the central panel now has fewer buttons while the centre console includes a new closed-storage box. Positioned in front of the driver, the rich and complete instrument panel makes a style reference inspired by that of a precision watch. It is backed up by the Head-Up Display with driving and navigation information in colour, viewed in a retractable smoked viewing screen.
The quality of materials used, whether for finishers or trim cloth, the quality of the equipment and the care taken with finish immediately place the interior of the new PEUGEOT 508 in a top-of-the-range world that is modern and refined, while not ostentatious.
This high value automobile world marries nobility and technology with the presence of numerous systems for comfort and safety. Examples are Keyless Entry and Starting, the automatic electric parking brake, automatic headlamp dipping, quad-zone automatic air conditioning, JBL badged Hi-Fi… To this list of equipment can be added two new systems: Blind Spot Sensors and a reversing camera, providing a colour image on the touch screen.
The new PEUGEOT 508 also benefits from extended connectivity. Based on mobile internet technology, it is available with a new generation of connected services: PEUGEOT Connect Apps. Due to the ergonomics of the touch screen, the applications developed are easy to access and their use intuitive. The driver is provided with practical information in real time, facilitating everyday driving: free parking spaces nearby, fuel prices at filling stations in the vicinity, traffic and weather information, and tourist information from the Michelin Guide or TripAdvisor.
For power units, the range offers petrol and Diesel engines of the latest generation.
For petrol, the new PEUGEOT 508 introduces a new Euro 6 engine: the 1.6 litre THP 165 Stop & Start, associated with a six-speed manual gearbox or the new EAT6 six-speed automatic gearbox. Replacing the Euro 5 1.6-litre THP 156, this new 165bhp engine allows reduced CO2 emissions from 131g/km with a 6-speed manual (whereas it was 144g/km at best on the previous generation).
For Diesel, the BlueHDi technology is available from launch of the new PEUGEOT 508. The 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed manual, has CO2 emissions of just 105g/km for both Saloon and SW estate, and is the best in the segment for this level of engine power. Similarly, the new 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 EAT6 Saloon version has been type approved with CO2 emissions of just 111g/km, constituting one of the best combinations of power and fuel consumption in the segment.
PEUGEOT’S HYbrid4 technology, which remains a unique proposition in the segment, is of course carried over to the Saloon and the RXH. As a result of its extended availability on the PEUGEOT 3008 Crossover, 508 Saloon HYbrid4 and 508 RXH, the Brand claims second place in the sale of hybrid vehicles in Europe. The 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi Diesel engine combined with the 37bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels operate either alternately or together, in a way that is transparent for the user. The four selectable driving modes (ZEV, 4WD, Sport and Auto) provide the driver with exceptional ease of use and driving experience. And great economy is also possible: type approved with CO2 emissions of 85g/km, and with combined fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg, the PEUGEOT 508 HYbrid4 has the best CO2 emissions and fuel consumption figures in its segment.