GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: New Peugeot 508 detailed
Next Peugeot 508 large car to offer chic alternative to new Holden CommodoreSales of large cars in Australia have been dwindling for more than a decade but one French car-maker is having a red-hot go at reigniting interest with its flashy new Peugeot 508.
Officially revealed after being leaked a day prior, the uniquely-designed Peugeot 508 is expected to arrive in Australia in late 2018 or early 2019.
Based on the French brand's latest EMP2 platform and slashing around 70kg off its predecessor's kerb weight, the new Peugeot 508 will introduce a range of modern features including a digitised 'i-Cockpit' cabin layout that targets rivals such as the imported Holden Commodore and Ford Mondeo.
This comprises a compact steering wheel above which sits a large 12.3-inch digital instrument screen, which can be customised to display whatever the driver requires -- from satellite-navigation instructions to road and engine speed.
There's also a 10-inch capacitive touch-screen display located in the centre of the dashboard from which most car functions are controlled, reducing the need for an excess of buttons and dials.
Wireless inductive phone charging will be offered and, like the Peugeot 308 and 3008, the new-look interior puts the Peugeot 508 on a premium footing, with high-end seat upholstery, interior accent options and even driver's seat massage functionality.
Sportier looking than before, Peugeot 508 measures 4.75 metres long and 1.4 metres high, making it shorter and lower than its predecessor. Boot space is 487 litres, which grows to 1537 with the rear seats folded away.
A range of engines are available in Europe, including 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinders that generate 134kW and 168kW depending on the variant, and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mills that bang out anywhere between 100kW and 134kW.
It's not clear which particular engines will be offered to Australian customers at this stage.
Power will be transferred to the Peugeot 508's front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox shifted via a sleek new gear-lever.
Adaptive dampers are standard on the top-shelf GT model (optional on lesser models) and the 508 will come with lots of cameras and sensors, delivering a range of advanced driver aids. These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), night vision, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
The French company says the new model represents a quantum leap forward in almost every respect and, according to Peugeot Australia managing director Anouk Poelmann, the new 508 is the next step in the brand's product-led transformation.
"Following the launch of the all-new Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUV, we now turn our attention to the sedan market with the all-new 508 – a vehicle that encapsulates the best in French design, engineering and allure," she said.
"In Australia, the revered 504 and 505 underpinned the motoring experience for generations of families and executives, and this all-new 508 will once again place Peugeot at the forefront of the segment."
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