Peugeot sharpens pencil with fully loaded 508
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 18th Apr 2019
PEUGEOT Australia has confirmed that its new-generation 508 mid-size car will be offered in a single highly specified grade, dubbed GT, when it is launched in liftback form early in the third quarter, ahead of the Touring wagon that will follow by the end of the year.
Priced from $53,990 plus on-road costs, the 508 GT is $500 cheaper than the French brand’s current flagship, the 5008 GT seven-seat mid-size SUV, despite its greater specification. Its direct rivals will be the Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.
Speaking to journalists this week at the Expert mid-size van national media launch in Sydney, Peugeot Citroen Australia (PCA) managing director Ben Farlow said that while the 508 played in a shrinking segment, it served a broader purpose beyond just sales.
“There’s two roles for the 508,” he said. “I think (the 508) will get that (mid-size-car) buyer – albeit these days a smaller proportion than the overall market – very interested. So, there’s sales to be had there – that’s one role.
“The other role is it creates incredible excitement haloing across the whole range. That’s our flagship model. It will play a key role in our market.
“It optimises the type of design, intuitive technology, engineering that I think Peugeot will over time start to become famous for – that’s why it plays a halo role.”
Mr Farlow added that “we’ll be lucky to get enough cars that we want to sell” due to the already strong European demand for the 508, which he described as “a challenger for most desirable in the line-up”.
“I want to sell one less than the market wants – that’s the plan,” he said. “In the early months, our registered interest and inquiry on this car far outweighs what we’re bringing in. And I’m very confident that in the first six months, we’ll sell what we bring in.”
The GT will be exclusively motivated by 1.6-litre PureTech turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that produces 167kW of power and 300Nm of torque – the most potent unit available globally.
It will be paired to an Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission that sends drive to the front wheels.
Riding on PSA Group’s ubiquitous EMP2 platform, the 508 measures 4750mm long, 1859mm wide and 1403mm tall, with a 2793mm wheelbase.
Cargo capacity is 487 litres with the 60/40 split-fold rear bench upright, or 1537L with it stowed.
Standard equipment in the GT will include LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, adaptive dampers (adjustable via four modes) and a hands-free power-operated tailgate.
Inside, a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a Focal sound system, Nappa leather upholstery and massaging front seats will feature.
Advanced driver-assist systems will extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, and blind-spot monitoring.
Aside from metallic paintwork, the GT’s only option will be a panoramic sunroof.
“This specification reflects what our customers actually want to buy and what the market’s trending to across all brands,” PCA product planning manager Justin Narayan said.
He added that the Touring body style will feature the same specification and options when it is launched.
