Revised Peugeot 508 Fastback Diesel Auto is full of Gallic Flair.
New PEUGEOT 508 Diesel has Chic Gallic Flair.
The Peugeot 508 has recently been given a subtle design update that includes tweaked styling and enhanced technology, and it is still available in Fastback and SW (Estate/Station Wagon) body styles. Exterior upgrades includes a new front grille that extends further across the face of the car than before, with Peugeot’s new lion shield logo located in the centre. New slim matrix headlights, revised bumpers, and Peugeot’s new ‘3-claw’ daytime running lights provide a new dynamic look to the front of Peugeot’s large executive car. The sleek side profile remains, but the rear of the car gains a black plastic strip that features the PEUGEOT name spelled across it, and it connects to an updated ‘3-claw’ rear light design that now features scrolling indicators. New alloy wheel designs form part of the 508’s upgrade too, as does the introduction of new colours: Eclipse Blue, Okenite White, and Titane Grey, along with Selenium Grey, which was reserved exclusively for the performance-focused PSE variant in the previous generation 508.
Powerplant & Trim Options.
Engine options in the new 508 consist of a 1.2-litre PureTech turbo-petrol unit with 130bhp, a 1.5-litre BlueHDI turbo-diesel powerplant that also produces 130bhp, and a 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid with 180bhp or 225bhp in two-wheel-drive (Hybrid2) format, and 360bhp with an all-wheel (Hybrid4) drivetrain (depending on the model chosen) – all of which come with Peugeot’s slick 8-speed (EAT8) automatic transmission as standard. Trim levels in the new 508 are made up of Allure, GT and PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered), with the BlueHDI engine reserved for Allure and GT variants only. The PureTech engine is only available in Allure trim, with the plug-in hybrid available in ascending levels of power across all three trim levels.
Beautifully Crafted Cabin.
The beautifully-crafted cabin in the Peugeot 508 is (as in all modern Peugeot’s) a feast for the eyes and the senses, with all controls feeling great to the touch and easy to use. The car features a configurable 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument panel and a 10-inch central touchscreen with bespoke graphics, while an 8-speaker MP3 compatible radio, Bluetooth telephone facility and 2 USB sockets also feature, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, natural voice recognition and over-the-air software updates. The new 508 comes with Peugeot’s latest infotainment system across the range, and it is now more intuitive than ever. The 508’s compact steering wheel forms part of the latest generation PEUGEOT i-Cockpit and it provides the driver with ease of drivability and controlled agility. Within the spacious cockpit, the emphasis is on quality and connectivity, while the very latest driver assistance systems make the driving and travelling experience more intuitive and rewarding. A row of stylish piano-style keys below the central touchscreen not only look terrific, but they also provide access to menus such as heating and ventilation, satellite navigation, telephone and more. Thanks to a 2,793mm wheelbase in the 508 Fastback, passenger space is impressive, while the standard boot capacity of 487-litres can be expanded to a cavernous 1,537-litres when the split-folding rear seatbacks are folded down.
Test Car.
My test car was a Peugeot 508 Fastback Allure 1.5 BlueHDI, which was finished in Eclipse Blue metallic paintwork (a no-cost option) with contrasting 17-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. Fitted with Peugeot’s brilliant 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, and producing 130bhp and 300Nm of torque, it is fair to say that the car’s performance is adequately potent for this size of car, and it can return up to 56.5mpg (5.0 l/100km) on a WLTP combined driving cycle. The turbo-diesel BlueHDI engine can propel the car from 0-100km/h in 11.1 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 208km/h (where permitted), and the engine is fitted with Stop & Start technology for enhanced fuel efficiency and to minimise emissions. Power is delivered to the car’s front wheels in a smooth and fuss-free manner, while dips and crests in the road are dealt with in a composed and well-controlled fashion. Key standard ‘Allure’ specification includes cruise control with speed limiter, parking assist (front, rear and lateral), 180-degree HD reverse camera with touchscreen display of rear & top view, leatherette and fabric seat trim with Quartz stitching, and blue ambient lighting on front door panels, along with a Safety Plus Pack that consists of an Emergency Braking System with video camera and radar, Front Collision Warning, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Road Edge Protection, Extended Traffic Sign Recognition, and Blind Spot Detection. With a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 2,030kg and a Gross Train Weight (GTW) of 3,500kg, the new 508 Fastback BlueHDI has a maximum braked-trailer towing capacity of 1,470kg.
Verdict & Pricing.
Overall, the distinctive and beautifully crafted Peugeot 508 BlueHDI is a very compelling executive car that is available in both Fastback and SW guises across all trim levels. Pricing starts at €46,495 (ex-works) with annual road tax costing just €210.
Visit www.peugeot.ie for further information.
