Paris show: Peugeot goes for efficiency in new 508

PEUGEOT’S new 508 flagship will offer a choice of six diesel and petrol engines – with hybrid coming from 2012 – when it goes on sale early next year in Europe after debuting at next month’s Paris motor show stand.

It will appear at the Paris show alongside a mysterious concept car that has been flagged by the 200-year-old French manufacturer.

The concept – which some internet outlets are calling EX1 – has been revealed only in dark, sketchy images of sections of the car to tease Peugeot fans and the media alike.

Peugeot has been more forthcoming about the 508 Saloon and Sport Wagon, spelling out the proposed powertrain line-up and other details such as dimensions for the all-new model that is set to replace both the 407 and defunct 607.

The range will be topped by a diesel-powered ‘GT’ model, propelled by a new 2.2-litre HDi four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and sitting on new double-wishbone front suspension unique to the premium model.

But nothing that Peugeot has shown so far will threaten mid-sized German performance cars such as the BMW 5 Series, with the French company firmly focussed on fuel efficiency.

Left: Peugeot 508 Sport Wagon. Below: Peugeot's teaser images of its Paris motor show concept.

The 508 is due to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2011 after making its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne in July, when final powertrain options and pricing are expected to be announced.

By then, the 508 range in Europe will have gained its most efficient diesel engine, the new 1.6-litre e-HDi with idle-stop and other fuel-saving features, emitting a claimed 109 grams of CO2 per kilometre, compared with the standard 1.6-litre diesel’s 124g/km.

Both versions of the diesel generate 82kW of power, but the e-HDi has superior torque – 285Nm compared with 245Nm for the HDi.

If neither of those engines seems sufficiently grunty, the 508 will be offered with a 2.0-litre HDi diesel four-cylinder engine in two states of tune – 103kW/340Nm with a six-speed manual gearbox and 120kW/340Nm mated with a six-speed automatic.

The top-of-the-range 508 GT will get a new 150kW/450Nm 2.2-litre diesel that Peugeot says can out-perform the 407’s 2.7-litre V6 diesel while slicing CO2 emissions by 33 per cent, to 150g/km.

This is partly due to weight-saving measures, with the 508 listed at 1540kg – 120kg lighter than the smaller 407 – which helps achieve a zero to 100km/h time of 8.2 seconds.

Peugeot also claims the top 508 diesel will handle better, with a double-wishbone front suspension unique to the top model and a ‘multi arm’ rear suspension common to the rest of the 508 range.

Two petrol 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines will also be offered: a normally aspirated VTi 88kW/160Nm and turbo THP 115kW/240Nm. The latter will be offered with choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Ultimately, a Hybrid4 diesel-electric powertrain will be offered, with the diesel engine driving the front wheels and electric motor the rear wheels, for a combined 150kW of power and just 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

The cabin will be enlivened with a head-up display, keyless entry and four-zone air-conditioning. The entertainment systems and other functions will be controlled through an Audi-style multi-media interface knob.

The 508 is about 11cm longer in sedan form than the 407, with a wheelbase stretched by 9cm. The wagon is about 2cm longer than the sedan and offers 660 litres of luggage space, while the sedan’s boot holds 545 litres.

As GoAuto has reported, a coupe version is likely at a later date, probably based on the SR1 concept car shown early this year by Peugeot in Europe.

While the 508 is the Peugeot’s most important new release this year, it is set to be overshadowed by the new Pug concept at the Paris motor show that opens on October 2.

Speculation is rife that the concept might be a high-end sportscar, complete with gullwing doors and an electric or Hybrid4 powertrain.