New Peugeot 508: full specs and details (Upcoming Cars)

WHEN: First quarter, 2013
HOW MUCH: Rs 20 – 26 lakh
ENGINES: 1.6-litre petrol (165 PS / 240Nm / 6-sp automatic and manual), 2.0-litre diesel (140 PS / 320 Nm / 6-sp manual), 2.0-litre diesel (165 PS / 340 Nm / 6-sp automatic), 2.2-litre diesel (210 PS / 450 Nm / 6-sp automatic)
COMPETITION: Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Teana

Peugeot is set to begin its Indian innings with this – the Peugeot 508. It’s a big premium sedan, intended to take the fight to more established cars in this class, which in India include the Honda Accord, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat among others.

Peugeot wants to take a top-down approach to the Indian market. Its numerical model nomenclature is easy to understand; following the premium-class 508 sedan, India will get the 408 sedan, the 308 sedan and the 208 hatchback, not necessarily in that order. There’s also talk of the 3008 MPV and perhaps the 4008 SUV, but more on that later.



The Peugeot 508 is a new car, launched just about a year ago in Europe, where it has received widespread acclaim, especially when compared against more established rivals like the Superb and Passat, mentioned earlier. It scores not only on the looks and styling front, but if reports are to be believed, the 508 boasts a high degree of refinement and excellent ride quality. French cars have traditionally been acknowledged as cosseting and comfortable, and for the back-seat fat cats, this is sure to win Peugeot brownie points.



The large ‘floating’ grille is the focal point of the 508’s design. In fact, this ‘face’ is the new identity of the brand, resplendent on the new 208 hatchback and the 4008 SUV as well. The re-shaped lion emblem sits on the lip of the bonnet, in a slight indentation, which is also seen in other latest Peugeots. Slim headlamps and fuss-free sides flow along the length of the car, meeting with the slim, wrap-around tail-lights. Peugeot has given the 508 two interesting character lines; one, which is perfectly horizontal and defines the door, and another, from the corner of the tail-lamp, which meets the rear wheel arch. It’s simple, unique and stylish.



The interiors have been crafted with care, with soft-touch materials and under-stated componentry. It doesn’t appear ‘techy’ like the Accord’s interior for example, and isn’t as bland as the Passat or the Superb on the other hand. Iteriors are important, because that’s where you spend most of your time with your car, and Peugeot seems to have got it spot-on with the 508.

This car is sold in Europe with a number of engine options, but what’s particularly interesting in the Indian context is Peugeot’s range of diesel engines. Peugeot makes some of world’s best diesels, and don’t just take our word for it. Peugeot won the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 with its 908 HDi FAP. (note: HDi FAP means high-pressure direct-injection with particulate filter, in French). Of course, the engines in the 508 are only distantly related to that in the 908, but the marque’s engineering abilities are clearly evident.

The Peugeot 508, as sold in Europe, has three diesel powertrain options: there’s the 2.0-litre HDi FAP in two states of tune (140 Ps with 6-speed manual and 165 PS with 6-sp automatic transmission) and a 2.2-litre 210 PS unit, mated to a 6-speed automatic. There’s also the option of 1.6-litre petrol engines, which, in turbocharged form puts out an adequate 165 PS, and comes with the option of automatic and manual transmissions, all with 6 ratios. We know for certain that the Peugeot 508 as sold in India will get the diesel option, but Peugeot will neither confirm nor deny whether the petrol powerplant will be under consideration for our market. The 2.0 HDi FAP in the two states of tune, with the two transmission options seem to be a certainty, but whether we’ll get the 2.2-litre mil is unclear for now.

For Peugeot, its re-entry to the Indian market is seen to be a little late in the day, but then the Europeans have been late to the Indian party. French compatriot Renault is also in the nascent stages of its Indian operations. For Peugeot, gearing up in Gujarat will take some time, but the approach of hitting the premium segment appears to be the right one. The small car market appears saturated, and the luxury end of the spectrum will never add justifiable volumes. Premium is where it’s at in the Indian car-market right now, and with the 508, Peugeot is giving itself the best possible chance of establishing its brand in the Indian mindspace.

PEUGEOT NEW CAR

 

The story is in the numbers. Thirty years ago, the mainstay of Peugeot’s range was a rugged family saloon called the 504. In due course there was a new generation which, following the French company’s naming convention, became the 505. That was eventually supplanted by two cars, the smaller 405 and the larger 605, so that Peugeot’s 5-series disappeared. Until now. With the 508, Peugeot has gone full circle, introducing a single model in place of the 407 and 607, reflecting a change in the European market.
 
508 also represents a new start for Peugeot, which in a dash to increase sales of a smaller and cheaper models had lost some of its reputation for high quality, good handling cars. It is the first model to adopt a new Peugeot styling theme developed by Jean-Pierrre Ploue, the design overlord for both Peugeot and Citroen, and Peugeot brand styling chief Gilles Vidal. And it is likely to be the first car for Peugeot’s return to India, following the Premier debacle in the 1990s.
 
You could also say that, at least for the mainstream models, the 508 is a return to conservatism, an attempt to get back to the ‘near premium’ position that Peugeot used to hold. Although it had bold frontal styling that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Ferrari or Maserati, the 407, its immediate predecessor, upset traditional Peugeot buyers and didn’t attract many new ones. Peugeot was re-branded in January last year with the slogan ‘Motion and Emotion’ and the SR1 concept car showed its future design direction. 
 
So the 508 is a neatly-styled 4.8m saloon, somewhat similar to the latest Volkswagen Passat. It is 10cm longer than the 407 but offers the same rear seat space as the 607, which was another 10 cm bigger.  The 508SW estate wagon has a more sporty look, taking cues from the Audi Avant and BMW Touring. The re-styled Peugeot lion is still prominent but the name Peugeot is almost hidden where the bonnet overlaps the grille. 
 
Actually the best part of Peugeot’s up-grade is the quality of its car interiors. We had already seen that in the RCZ coupe and the 3008 and 5008 MPVs but the 508’s cabin reaches a new level, with trim materials and fittings that are in the Audi class. 
 
The instrument nacelle features paired speedometer and rev counter with classy white on black scales while the electronic display panel between them can also give a digital speed reading. The more expensive versions have a wide-screen colour display at the centre of the facia for navigation and other functions, controlled from a joystick behind the gearlever, and a head-up display for essential driving information which is presented (in colour) on a translucent polycarbonate panel behind the nacelle, rather than projected on to the windscreen. And, talking of windscreens, the 508SW can be had with a huge (1.6 sq m) panoramic glass roof which extends down to the screen – unique in this class.
 
Although, like the 407, the 508 is based on the Peugeot Group’s P3 platform it differs from its predecessor in having conventional MacPherson strut front suspension instead of double wishbones on all but the most powerful GT model. That saves weight (and money) and helps the bigger new car weigh in at 25kg less than an equivalent 407. Other weight reduction features are an aluminium bonnet and a magnesium cross-car beam behind the facia.
 
Following the current trend, Peugeot has downsized the engines for this latest model. The only petrol engine available is a 1.6 litre, with or without turbocharging, but in Europe the vast majority of cars in this class are diesels so there is a range of HDi engines - 1.6 litre producing 113PS, 2 litre with 142 and 165PS (which is most likely to come to India), and a 2.2 litre with 206PS which powers the GT. Most 2 litre models will be sold with six-speed automatic transmission, a new gearbox from Aisin of Japan (the GT is sold only as an automatic). Next year there will be a hybrid 508 at the top of the range, combining a diesel engine driving the front wheels with an electric motor at the rear and therefore bringing the added advantage of four-wheel drive.
 
The first thing to note about all the 508 diesels is that they are remarkably quiet. Since these engines are already used in a variety of Peugeot and Ford models which are not known for their refinement we must conclude that this has been achieved by careful attention to acoustic insulation and vibration damping.
Even in its lower-powered 113PS form, the 1.6 HDi gives the 508 adequate performance – 0-100 kmph in 11.3 sec – helped by 200 Nm torque. For the UK and some other markets that base vehicle taxation on CO2, this engine is used in a model called e-HDi coupled to a stop/start system and electronically-controlled manual gearbox (EGC). This combination achieves a CO2 figure of 109 g/km, the lowest figure in this class matched only by the VW Passat Blue Motion.
 
Unfortunately, the EGC lets it down, as the automatic gearshifts are jerky and it is impossible to make really smooth progress even if you change gear manually, using the paddles behind the steering wheel. This is a pity because Peugeot’s stop-start system – which uses a reversible alternator rather than the standard starter motor – is the best in the business, gently but instantly restarting the engine as you come off the brake after a halt in traffic. 
 
The 165PS 2 litre with the six-speed torque convertor automatic is an altogether better proposition and allows the driver to appreciate the well-sorted chassis. Surprisingly, the strut front suspension seems to work just as well as the wishbones on the GT but that may be because the 2 litre isn’t potent enough to generate torque-steer. Whatever the reason, the steering is accurate, consistent and nicely weighted; Peugeot doesn’t believe in electric power steering for a car of this type and size, so uses hydraulic assistance, with pressure from an electric pump.  
 
The Ford Mondeo sets the standard for handling in this class and remains the car of choice for the enthusiastic driver. Peugeot had moved towards a Mondeo-like ride-handling compromise with the later 407s and continues that way with the 508. That means a stiffer set-up than the VW Passat and Opel Insignia, although the ride remains generally comfortable. For most people and situations it seems well-judged. 
 
The 508 either comes with or can be ordered with most of the latest safety systems and devices, including electronic stability control (ESP) and cornering brake control (CBC), side-curtain airbags front and rear, and xenon directional headlamps that make use of the fog lamps for extra illumination at road junctions.
In Europe, the Peugeot 508 joins a fiercely-contested class of family and business cars that is gradually declining as buyers transfer to crossovers, smaller cars or lesser models from the premium manufacturers. The 508 rates highly among the top contenders – the Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia, and Skoda Superb – while not actually taking a decisive lead. 
 
Its success in India will depend on the price and specification decided on for this market and other manufacturers’ developments. Interesting that Renault, Peugeot’s French compatriot, is launching the Fluence just ahead of the 508. Superficially these cars look like rivals but actually the 508 is a cut above the Renault in size and appointments. Peugeot’s answer to the Fluence is the as-yet unnamed new model for developing markets that will be supplied as CKD kits and built at the new factory, the location for which is still being finalised.
 
The 508 is an up-market car to create a good feeling for the brand’s return to India.

2012 Auto Expo - Peugeot will launch locally assembled car by 2014

Peugeot today announced that the 508 will be their first offering in India as a locally produced car by 2014. The initial focus will be on setting up their assembly facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The 508 will be offered with only a diesel option. It will have a 2.2-litre HDI common rail diesel engine.
Peugeot are applying a top down strategy in the Indian market. They will be launching the super luxury vehicles first and then come down to the hatchbacks. Hence the start with the 508. Once this vehicle is established, Peugeot plans to increase the brand awareness by bringing in cars like the RCZ through the CBU route. The eventual target for the French manufacturer is to enter the Indian hatchback segment. They already have a bouquet of seven cars to choose from which are under four metre in length using which they can avail the duty benefits. The hatchbacks will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. But we will have to wait and watch to see what comes our way.
Peugeot are also setting up a strong dealer network and they are looking to set up dealerships in around 15 cities. This will help them cater to a wider customer base across the country.
Apart from the production cars, Peugeot has a rich motorsport heritage considering their association with the WRC, IRC and the legendary Le Mans and they are keenly looking at getting involved with Indian motorsport. They will be looking to set up some motorsport program in India. Motorsport in India is slowing climbing up the ladder.

Peugeot to showcase two new concept cars in Geneva Show

Peugeot will be showing two new concept cars – XY and GTi in the upcoming Geneva Motor Show which starts from March 6. The XY concept is aimed at the city dweller while the GTi, as the name suggests, is for those who love to have their cars with a handling and performance edge. Both these cars use the 208 hatchback as their base with the front receiving full-LEDs and the wheel arches being fitted with wing extenders and the entire bodywork completed with body sills.

The XY concept uses a 1.6-litre e-HDi engine which develops 116PS. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The GTi concept in the meanwhile makes use of the RCZ’s 1.6-litre THP engine and a 6-speed stick shift. Both the cars ride on 18-inch wheels with the GTi’s calipers being painted in red. The GTi also receives a chequered French flag pattern on the roof and hood. The interiors also receive red inserts and Nappa leather seats.

Peugeot motorsports usher in new 208 R2 rally car

Peugeot had announced in 2011 that it will bring in a 208 rally car and here it is now, the R2. There will be two versions of it, the circuit version (asphalt) which will have specifications similar to that of the R2 and another variant (gravel) which will comply with FIA’s R5 regulations and will be the successor to the 207 rally car at both national and international level.
The 208 R2 has a new 1.6-litre 188PS engine generating 190Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed sequential manual gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column. Peugeot have changed the electric power steering from the road-going 208 to hydraulic ones in the race car. The bodyshell is now 40kg lighter than its predecessor and the suspension has revised Ohlins suspension with three-way adjustable dampers. Peugeot also claims that the 208 R2 is more fuel efficient than the 207. The company is also selling the 208 R2 kits with the engine built, run-in and checked on the dyno.
The gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 will both be available in kit form for a price of Rs 26.17 lakh. It will also be possible to acquire the 208 R2 in fully built form (gravel or asphalt version) for Rs 40.13 lakh, excluding the duties.

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