|
|
|
|
24/07/2011
REVIEW By DEREK OGDEN
|
|
|
Goodbye Peugeot 407 and 607; hello Peugeot 508. This new model from Peugeot is a serious attempt by the French marque to recapture a major portion of what it considers its heartland – the grand touring segment.
The all-new Peugeot 508 sits in size between the 407 and 607 and supersedes them. Peugeot hopes to capture buyers from both and is sold in sedan or touring (station wagon) format. It comes in various guises, with two diesel engines and three spec levels – Active, Allure and GT. Petrol versions are due here by the end of the year.
Designers were given the task of refining the French automobile maker’s halo car: for example, making it look as if it were sculpted out of a single piece of metal and toning down the large radiator grille to take some of the aggression out of it. Add to this subtle lines of chrome trim around the side windows and placing the company’s bold lion mascot, without its erstwhile restraining outline, prominently on the leading edge of the bonnet and the 508 takes on a presence that speaks prestige.
The rear has the boot flush with the bumper, a horizontal chrome strip across it drawing attention to the three clusters of six LEDs, which, when lit, reflect the lion’s claw of the company badge.
The smooth contours of the body – note that they are unfettered by windscreen wiper jets and aerials – enhance the aerodynamic aspects of the vehicles (a Cd of just 0.25 is most impressive), while the use of lightweight materials, takes the weight under that of the 407 it replaces. That’s clever.
The Active and Allure ride on 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres; the Allure has an option of 18-inch alloys with 235/45 R18 tyres, which are standard on the GT, with an option of 19-inch alloys with 235/40 R19 rubber.
Peugeots are noted for their engines, especially diesels – its 2.7-litre V6 twin-turbo can be found in other makes of car around the world, including Jaguars.
The Peugeot 2.0-litre HDi, delivers out 120 kW of power at 3750 rpm and 340 Nm of torque at 2000 revs, the 2.2-litre HDi 150 kW at 3500 rpm and 450 Nm at 2000 revs. Both have been measured at 5.7 litres of diesel per 100km on the combined urban/highway cycle and meet the Euro V emission rules.
During launch drives at the press launch, the Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi clocked fuel figures of 7.6 litres/100 km over 181 km of city/country driving, the 2.2 HDi GT 8.3 litres/100 km over 325 km, mainly out of town.
While no slouch in the ride and handling department, the lower range 508s, with their all-new McPherson-type front suspension, were left wanting by the top-dog GT, which benefited from a drop-link dual wishbone front axle.
With both carrying a multi-arm rear set-up, neither was stressed enough to squeal on tight fast bends but it was possible to approach these hazards with more assurance in the GT with its sharper turn-in and more positive feedback to the driver from the road.
Peugeot 508 passengers are cosseted in a manner found in few other vehicles of any segment. Engineers have gone to the source of any noise and made sure it more or less stays there.
The result is an acoustic ambience second to none. The front windscreen is set up to filter sound from the outside, hydro-elastic suspension mounts cut off road noise and an active front axle damper on the HDi 2.2 present a calming cabin atmosphere that has to be experienced to be believed.
The perfect accompaniment to enjoying interior space on a par with the 607 and up a notch (53 mm more rear leg room) from the 407. Grand touring indeed.
The 508 boasts the latest active safety, among them ABS brake system add-ons, including cornering brake control, and electronic stability and traction control.
With six airbags and a maximum European five-star crash rating the 508 sits in the top rung for passive safety.
The bumper and bonnet are pedestrian friendly with a black strip at the lower edge of the front bumper designed to lift a person struck towards the bonnet and away from being thrown under the vehicle.
Rear parking alarms are standard, while front parking assist, standard on Allure and GT models incorporates a space measurement function which provides information about the possibility of parking the vehicle in a free spot and the degree of difficulty in performing the manoeuvre.
Later this year the 508 will introduce e-HDi technology to Australia with a new generation of stop/start technology cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (up to 15 per cent in town). Hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission the combined fuel consumption is put at 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions at 115 g/km.
Not all that far away is a Peugeot 508 fitted with Hybrid4 technology of a diesel engine up front and electric motor down the back capable of breaking new ground in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions below 100 g/km.
The complete Peugeot 508 range, with prices (excluding government and dealer charges) is:
Active 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $36,990 (automatic)
Allure 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $39,490 (automatic)
Allure HDi 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $42,990 (automatic)
GT HDi 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $52,990 (automatic)
Allure 1.6-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $42,490 (automatic)
Allure HDi 2.0-litre turbo-diesel HDi five-door wagon: $45,990 (automatic) |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
