Stylish and spacious

By Ghaith Madadha - Nov 03,2014 - Last updated at Nov 03,2014

Being positioned towards the high end of the mainstream European automotive market, Peugeot is also aggressively taking on emerging markets with specific models designed for global tastes.

Making its European debut at the Paris Motorshow last month, the latest face-lifted 508 is Ostensibly a European market model, but one which in saloon guise is expected to sell very well in developing markets, especially given that China has already accounted for 36 per cent of sales for the 508 range, since 2013.

The more practical and arguably better looking 508 SW estate body version should however have greater appeal in the Western European market, where estates outsell saloons in this segment.

Practical elegance

Essentially a replacement for both the large 607 saloon and the former 407 European mid-size saloon, the 508 reflects a more luxurious direction in the segment, but the last Peugeot estate bearing the “5” numeral was the 8-seat 505 Break/Familiale, which outlived the European saloon by three years, until 1992.

A different car to the tall, high riding and hugely spacious 505 Break/Familiale work horse, the contemporary 508 SW may be less utilitarian, but is a stylish, elegant executive D-segment car that retains its saloon sister’s dimensions and dynamic ability, and with its gently sloped roofline and more flowing and contiguous estate style, even improves on its design.

Freshened up for a more assertive and elegant look, the revised 508 features a more upright front and horizontal bonnet, with pronounced sheet metal definition. A classier new corporate face features revised chrome-ringed hexagonal grille, flanked with new all-LED headlights, incorporating a moody upper LED strips that bridge the grille with the side crease lines, while fog lights are deeper-set.

Repositioned from a concave groove on the bonnet, the Peugeot lion badge in locate within the grille, while The Peugeot emblem is relocated from its formerly concave bonnet groove to the grille. From the rear the 508 features more horizontal light elements and defined bumper.

Smooth operator

Powered by a retuned version of Peugeot’s familiar 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 508 SW THP165 gains 9HP on its predecessor, while concurrently meeting more stringent Euro 6 emissions requirements and returning improved fuel efficiency.

Developing 163BHP at 6000rpm, the revised THP165’s torque output is unchanged, with 177lb/ft available by just 1400rpm. Fitted with a stop/start system, the 6-speed manual gearbox 508 SW THP165 delivers frugal 5.7l/100km fuel efficiency and 131g/km emissions ratings.

Reasonably quick on paper, with 0-100km/h in 8.8-seconds, 80-120km/h in 10.4-seconds in fifth and a 210km/h maximum, the manual gearbox 508 SW is however quicker and more versatile in real world driving.

Smooth, economic and gutsy, the 508 SW THP165’s motor is refined, quiet and quick to spool its turbo. With little turbo lag, the THP165 pulls meaningfully from under 2000rpm, becoming lively by 2500rpm, with a muscular and consistently flat mid-range torque curve providing flexible on-the-move responses and underwriting top-end power build-up.

Best mated to the manual rather than automatic gearbox available, the 508 SW THP165’s clutch pedal is light, with an intuitive biting point. The 508’s gear bulbous lever may not be a short-throw sports car action, but has a satisfyingly precise and mechanical movement, as it clicks quickly through ratios, with the right amount of resistance.

Rhythm and flow

Losing nothing in dynamic ability to its saloon sister, the 508 SW however more rewarding during the revised model’s recent global launch event in Mallorca, Spain owing to it being the manual gearbox version. More engaging and involving with manual gearbox, the 508 SW version was also the more fluent and intuitive drive.

Gelling brilliantly with its chassis, the manual gearbox version allowed one to better modulate power and avert unnecessary stability and traction control intervention through briskly driven and winding mountain switchbacks. One also chose desired gears with greater autonomy and held them with more commitment through corners, while the manual gearbox drive-train felt more refined.

With terrific highway stability, handling poise and ride refinement the face-lifted 508’s chassis goes unchanged, with its suspension and 215/55R17 tyres finding a happy compromise between comfort and control. Over diverse Spanish roads, the 508 was forgivingly supple over but the worst potholes over imperfect tarmac.

In its comfort zone over sprawling country roads, the 508 SW soaks up ripples, smoothes out roughness and rebounds with sure-footed control. Neat and predictably benign through winding switchbacks, the 508 SW was quite agile, and with smooth settled ride, tidy turn-in and light but reasonably intuitive steering feel cornered with unexpected flow and covered ground quicker than anticipated once one finds its rhythm.

Classy and cavernous

A distinctly European cabin features classy design, materials and textures above the segment standard, with stitched leather upholstery and supportively comfortable contoured front seats with lumbar support and even optional massaging function, while the rear bench features a useful armrest. Well-spaced the 508’s seat and steering adjustability provide a good driving position.

The estate version provides better rear headspace, which further improves by avoiding the panoramic sunroof option. Visibility is generally good, but one tends to look around the thick rakish nearside A-pillar in tight corners. Generously spacious, the 508 SW accommodates a minimum 660-litre luggage volume, which with split rear seats folded expands to 1865-litre maximum.

Well-kitted with user-friendly layouts, the revised 508 features an improved, intuitive “7” touchscreen to access infotainment and various systems, and includes shortcuts, to facilitate a now de-cluttered dash and console. Enhanced connectivity utilises Peugeot Connect Apps. Standard and optional equipment includes manual side rear window screens, powered tailgate and cargo net.

Tech features include HUD display with small retractable smoked screen to not hinder visibility, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, parking sensors, quad-zone climate control, automatic headlight dipping, tire inflation warning and blind spot warning system, depending on trim level. Less high tech but important are all-round three-point seatbelts and rear Isofix childseat latches.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1.6-litre, turbocharged, transverse 4-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 77 x 85.8mm

Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection

Gearbox: 6-speed manual, front-wheel-drive

0-100km/h: 8.8-seconds

80-120km/h, 5th/6th: 10.4/13-seconds

0-1000-metres: 29.5-seconds

Maximum speed: 210km/h

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 163 (165) [121] @ 6000rpm

Specific power: 102BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 114.8BHP/tonne