In the modern car industry it is increasingly difficult to take giant strides. The technological level is already so high that it is difficult to differentiate from one product generation to another.
Hence, brands sometimes look at the aesthetic component as a shortcut to mark this evolution. Is this the case for the new Peugeot 508? Different on the outside, but in its essence the same as always? Not by shadows.
New Peugeot 508 really… new!
Despite the French brand's strong commitment to the design of the new Peugeot 508, style is not at all the main highlight of the French model. The real novelties are hidden under the lines of the coupé-like bodywork.
With the growing interest in SUVs, saloons had to reinvent themselves. Offer superior appeal. After the Volkswagen Arteon, Opel Insignia, among others, it was the turn of the Peugeot 508 to be inspired by the sporty lines of the coupé.
At the base of the new Peugeot 508 hides the EMP2 platform — the same one found on the 308, 3008 and 5008. This platform has been modified to meet the qualities required of a model that aims to be “the best saloon segment”, according to those responsible for Peugeot. And for that, Peugeot spared no efforts. For the first time in the history of this model we find adaptive suspensions (standard on more powerful versions). But that's not all. In all versions of the new Peugeot 508, the rear axle uses a scheme of overlapping triangles to achieve a better compromise between efficiency and comfort.
In terms of materials, the EMP2 platform uses ultra high strength steels and we find aluminum in the hood and sills.
This very committed bet on the rolling base of the new Peugeot 508 has borne fruit. I drove it along mountain roads, between the city of Nice (France) and Monte Carlo (Monaco), and I was pleasantly surprised by the ability to eliminate irregularities in the asphalt, and by the committed way in which the front axle “bites” the asphalt , keeping the new Peugeot 508 exactly where we had planned.
In terms of dynamic competence, compared to the previous generation, there is a world of distance between the two models. Again I repeat, a world away.
Beautiful on the outside... beautiful on the inside
The aesthetic component is always a subjective parameter. But as far as my opinion is concerned, I say without any subjectivity that the lines of the new Peugeot 508 please me immensely. A feeling that stays on board.
The careful choice of materials is not due to the best German competition — where only the hard plastics on top of the instrumentation clash — and the assembly is also in a good plan. For the rest, the concern with quality has gone so far that Peugeot has hired the same door suppliers (one of the elements most prone to aerodynamic noise and parasitic noises) that supply brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Peugeot's objective is to be the reference among all generalist brands.
As for the appearance of the interior, I confess that I am a fan of Peugeot's i-Cockpit philosophy, which translates into a small steering wheel, high-position instrumentation and a center panel with a touch-screen infotainment system.
There are those who like it and there are those who don't think it's very funny… I like the look, even because from a practical point of view there is no gain (nor loss…), even though those responsible for Peugeot defended the opposite during the presentation.
Engines for all tastes
The new Peugeot 508 arrives in Portugal in November and the national range comprises five engines — two petrol and three Diesel —; and two transmissions — six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic (EAT8).
In the range of engines to Gasoline we have the inline four-cylinder Turbo 1.6 PureTech, in two versions with 180 and 225 hp, only available with the EAT8 box. In the range of engines to diesel , we have the new inline four-cylinder 1.5 BlueHDI with 130 hp, the only one to receive the manual gearbox, which will also be available with the EAT8 automatic transmission; and finally the 2.0 BlueHDI inline four-cylinder, in two 160 and 180 hp versions, available only with the EAT8 automatic transmission.
In the first quarter of 2019, a hybrid plug-in version , with 50 km of 100% electric autonomy.
Unfortunately, I only had the opportunity to test the most powerful version of the 2.0 BlueHDI engine. Unfortunately why? Because I'm sure the version with the greatest demand will be the 1.5 BlueHDI 130 hp, both by private customers and by companies and fleet managers. Moreover, in this field, Peugeot has worked hard to reduce as much as possible the TCO (total cost of ownership, or in Portuguese “total cost of use”), which is one of the metrics most used by corporate customers.
But from my experience behind the wheel of the new Peugeot 508 2.0 BlueHDI, the good response of the EAT8 automatic and good soundproofing of the interior stood out. As for the engine itself, it's what you'd expect from a modern 2.0 l diesel engine. It is discreet and very relaxed from low regimes, without being exactly exhilarating.
We can only wait for November, to test the new Peugeot 508 in all its versions on national soil. The first impression was very positive and indeed, Peugeot has in the new 508 a product capable of looking “eye to eye” for German saloons without any complex, whatever the point under analysis. Let the games begin!