First look: Peugeot uncovers all-new 508

PEUGEOT has unveiled the production version of its new-generation 508, revealing images overnight of its new large car family that replaces both the 407 mid-sizer and the larger 607.

To be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show in September, the final product remains faithful to the ‘5 by Peugeot’ concept shown at Geneva in March and is now due on sale here next year in both sedan and SW station wagon body styles.

A Peugeot Automobiles Australia (PAA) spokesperson has confirmed that a third quarter release is likely, with a range of petrol and diesel engines expected, the latter including PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s new e-HDi engine idle-stop technology.

Further down the track, the company’s Hybrid4 diesel-electric AWD system will be employed.

The ‘5 by Peugeot’ was shown with Hybrid4 technology seen in the diesel-electric 3008 – that is, a front-mounted 122kW 2.0-litre HDi FAP diesel engine and a rear-mounted 28kW electric motor. As well as all-wheel drive, the arrangement hands the vehicle a peak output of 150kW and a sub-100g/km CO2 emissions rating.

This power and CO2 output were also confirmed this week for the production hybrid 508.

As GoAuto has reported, the sleek and heavily sculpted model carries Peugeot’s latest design ethos – first introduced on the SR1 concept car – and is considered a crucial model in expanding the French manufacturer’s sales in fast-growing markets such as China, all the while remaining relevant in Europe and other traditional strongholds.

The 508 is based on the PSA Group’s Platform 3 which underpins the 407 and the Citroen C5/C6, and has arrived, in sedan form, with an overall length of 4790mm – about 100mm longer than the 407 but some 80mm shorter than the 607, the last examples of which rolled off the production line last month. (It was discontinued in Australia in June 2008.)Peugeot has confirmed that the wagon version of the 508 is 4810mm long. However, other key measurements and specifications are still under wraps.

Production commences early in 2011 and will be split between China and France, with the source for Australian models still to be confirmed. PAA said negotiations were continuing, but the Rennes factory in France was expected to supply Australian-spec vehicles.

In a statement, Peugeot said the 507 combined “a stylish and strong design with cutting-edge technology”.

“Quality, purity and efficiency have been the watchwords that have guided the Peugeot designers and engineers during the creation of the 508,” the company said.

“The stylish exterior design is elegant and timeless and full of ‘French chic’, equally at home in Paris or London. The interior of the car combines hi-tech with the use of high quality materials and every detail has been chosen to offer indisputable perceived quality, both visually and to the touch.

“An exceptional interior space, a very generous boot, and a level of standard specification provide interior comfort and convenience of a very high level.”

Earlier this year, Peugeot’s sister brand Citroen unveiled the near-production Chinese-oriented Metropolis concept based on a stretched version of the Platform 3.