The 508 has been around since 2010, when it was introduced to replace both the smaller 407 and the larger 607 and has struggled to make much of an impact in the local medium sedan/wagon segment. This is disappointing – as it is a very good car that deserves better – and yet not unexpected, as the equally impressive and equally European VW Passat has also struggled in this ultra-competitive segment where the Japanese and Koreans (and Ford) reign supreme.
Still, the 508 has been a success elsewhere – particularly China – and Peugeot has sold some 370,000 of them since 2010, and now it has come in for a major refresh.
We headed to the sunny Spanish island of Majorca to give it a thrash.
What is it?
Watch this and find out!
A new face brings the 508 in line with the younger members of the Peugeot family, particularly the new 308, but also makes it look remarkably like a Honda Accord. Normally his would be an insult, but the latest Accord is a actually very good looking car, which is lucky for Peugeot.
On top-spec models, the new face sees a remarkable 44 LEDs scattered across it in the form of a new headlight design and daytime running lights. At the rear of the sedans a new taillight design refreshes things nicely to match the front, while the wagon variants and the RXH hybrid remain the same.
On the inside the 508’s design and layout is magnificently minimalist and functional, and yet also manages to be elegant and classy, especially on up-spec GT models that feature a satin brushed aluminium insert across the dash.
While the seats won’t quite go low enough for our tastes, they are still magnificently comfortable and particularly supportive in the GT.
The 508 gets a range of electronic comfort and safety systems along with its new look, including auto headlight dipping, keyless entry and start, tyre pressure monitoring and two new systems; blind spot sensors and a reversing camera.While the exact model line up hasn’t been confirmed for New Zealand just yet, it is likely that we will get an all-diesel, possibly all-up spec GT line up here.
What’s it like?
Initially we sampled a 508 with the new-generation 1.6-litre THP petrol engine hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission (Peugeot’s excellent new EAT6 unit) and came away impressed by the small-engined car.
With 121kW and 240Nm, the small petrol engine was more than capable of pulling the 508 along at a brisk enough rate, with a delightfully nimble feel thanks to the compact size of the engine. The EAT6 is a thoroughly brilliant automatic transmission that is easily the best programmed self-shifter to have featured in a French car.
Sadly though, it seems that Kiwi tastes don’t stretch to small displacement petrols in medium-sized cars, as Peugeot’s local importer, Sime Darby Automobiles, has previously tried to sell a 1.6-litre car with little success.
So after lunch we grabbed probably the exact car that will be coming to New Zealand – a 2.2-litre diesel-engined GT wagon.
With 150kW and 450Nm, the GT’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel added a fat, flat torque curve to the 508’s already impressive cruising ability. It also added weight over the front axle, which made it noticeably less nimble and sharp than the 1.6-litre petrol engined car, however, this added mass also had the advantage of settling the car into a nice, satisfying and predictable cruiser.
This is also due to the fact that the GT gets a different front suspension set up to the rest of the range (double wishbones as opposed to the MacPherson strut set up of the lesser cars).
Both cars left us impressed, but for largely different reasons when it came to ride and handling. The overriding positive feature of both, however, was the convincing air of quality and luxury that even the lower spec models exuded.
What’s good about it?
Quality, looks and comfort are all high on the 508’s list of positives, as is a good level of basic spec.
The GT contained even more toys and quality touches that reminded you it was truly a European car.
Ride and handling was good across the range, and legroom in the rear (as well as luggage room in the sedan, but particularly the wagon) is impressive.
What’s not so good?
The GT was noticeably slower to turn in with the heavier diesel engine in its nose, but the biggest disappointment is that we probably won’t be getting the excellent 1.6-litre petrol engine here.
No point in blaming Peugeot for that one though, we Kiwis just won’t buy them…
First impressions?
The refreshed 508 is definitely a step above the car it replaces, both in terms of looks and equipment, but also in quality and luxury, which was already impressive in the current car.
Will it sell in huge amounts? Almost certainly not, but it certainly deserves to make a bigger impact in the segment than it currently does.
While an all-diesel, all-GT line up is no bad thing – in fact, if the price is right, it will be a very good thing indeed, as the GT is an extremely refined, comfortable and accomplished car with a thoroughly fantastic interior and great looks – but it is a sad fact that Kiwi’s are missing out on a treat with the 1.6 petrol. But then it is all their own fault for not buying them.
Models/prices
TBA
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