Photo: Peugeot
Peugeot is enjoying a bit of a rebirth, thanks to the 208 supermini and the 308 compact, which won the Car of the Year title for 2014. Now, there's a big saloon that promises to be just as good, the 508 facelift, or as the French will call it "Le Nouveau 508".
When launched in 2010, the 508 was described as being the best Peugeot sedan in a very long time, and you can see why. It's got masses of leg room and a nice design, the first to drop the huge grin everybody loved to criticize.
For the refresh, the Peugeot have pulled out all the stops. It almost looks brand new. Sedan, estate and crossover models get new LED headlights, grille, bumpers and sharp chrome trim for the fog light bezels. At a glance, the whole package looks similar to the Volvo S60 facelift.
Inside, a 7-inch touchscreen display has been added and most of the buttons have been removed for a de-cluttered look similar to the 308. Fortunetely, the annoying small steering wheel and instrument cluster have not been added.
In line with the times, new technologies like Blind Spot Sensors, a reversing camera and phone connectivity are part of the refresh.
Peugeot mentions three brand new engines for the 508, which seem specifically designed to appeal to European consumers. Firstly, there's the latest 1.6-liter turbo, which now makes 165 hp (EU standard) instead of the old 156 hp and is paired to either a six-speed manual or a new six-speed auto. Emissions have gone down significantly, from 144g to 131 g/km.
Even more interesting are the 2-liter diesels. The base one packs 150 hp and is accompanied by a new 180 hp high-output model to compete with similarly equipped Passats and Insignias.
Of course, the new 508 isn't just for Europe, a fast made abundantly clear by its debut, scheduled for the 2014 Chengdu Motor Show in August. In fact it's China where we first laid eyes on the 508. However, the Paris Motor Show in November seems just as good a place to check it out.
For the refresh, the Peugeot have pulled out all the stops. It almost looks brand new. Sedan, estate and crossover models get new LED headlights, grille, bumpers and sharp chrome trim for the fog light bezels. At a glance, the whole package looks similar to the Volvo S60 facelift.
Inside, a 7-inch touchscreen display has been added and most of the buttons have been removed for a de-cluttered look similar to the 308. Fortunetely, the annoying small steering wheel and instrument cluster have not been added.
In line with the times, new technologies like Blind Spot Sensors, a reversing camera and phone connectivity are part of the refresh.
Peugeot mentions three brand new engines for the 508, which seem specifically designed to appeal to European consumers. Firstly, there's the latest 1.6-liter turbo, which now makes 165 hp (EU standard) instead of the old 156 hp and is paired to either a six-speed manual or a new six-speed auto. Emissions have gone down significantly, from 144g to 131 g/km.
Even more interesting are the 2-liter diesels. The base one packs 150 hp and is accompanied by a new 180 hp high-output model to compete with similarly equipped Passats and Insignias.
Of course, the new 508 isn't just for Europe, a fast made abundantly clear by its debut, scheduled for the 2014 Chengdu Motor Show in August. In fact it's China where we first laid eyes on the 508. However, the Paris Motor Show in November seems just as good a place to check it out.
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