The Peugeot 508’s winning allure

By Aida Sevilla-Mendoza May 14,2014

The French created a revolution by introducing the Peugeot 508, the first 2-liter turbo diesel executive sedan in the Philippine market. PHOTOS BY AIDA SEVILLA-MENDOZA

PSA Peugeot Citroen SA, Europe’s second-largest carmaker by volume after Volkswagen AG, is best known for producing small, affordable passenger cars for the mass market. But Peugeot is also perfectly capable of coming up with a high-class cruiser, as shown by its 508 2.0 HDi Allure turbo diesel executive sedan.

 

What sets the 508 apart from other players in the midsize executive/ family sedan segment is its Micro-hybrid system featuring e-HDi (High-pressure Diesel injection) technology and a self-cleaning Diesel Particulate Filter that eliminates harmful emissions. The result is fuel economy averaging 57.6 miles per gallon (24.25 kilometers per liter) in combined city and highway driving and carbon dioxide emissions reduced to 129 grams per kilometer. Since diesel fuel costs about P5 less per liter than unleaded gasoline in the Philippines, this winning formula increases the Peugeot 508’s chances of grabbing market share from its petrol-fed segment competitors.

 

But that’s not all. The 508’s elegant, well-built “sculpted from a solid mass” exterior and luxurious, fully equipped and exceptionally roomy cabin would qualify it for premium class although it is a mass market product. Pair these attributes with the intercooled and turbocharged 2-liter HDi DOHC 16-valve common rail diesel Allure engine producing 163 bhp and 460.46 Nm at 2000 rpm max torque plus a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and you’ll begin to question your dream of  owning a high-priced German diesel luxury car.

 

Micro-hyrbid technology enhances the fuel economy of the 163 HP 2-liter DOHC turbo diesel engine.

Distinguished badge: Peugeot’s prancing lion at the rear

EXPECTATIONS. The claimed top speed of the Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi Allure is 225 kilometers per hour and it hits 100 kph from standstill in 9.6 seconds. Not exactly thrilling figures for driving enthusiasts, but hey, this is an executive/family car, not a high-performance sport sedan.  Moreover, in terms of meeting consumer expectations of an executive sedan, the 508 delivers.

 

Foremost among these expectations is driveability. The 508 drives well, with responsive steering, a feeling of agility, plenty of grip and minimal lean through corners. The 2.0 HDi engine is adequately smooth and powerful, supplemented by a firm suspension system consisting of  MacPherson type in front with drop link antiroll bar and at the rear, multi-arm connected by a crossmember and anti-roll bar. An engine start/off button, electric parking brakes, a retractable head-up display, a full-color multimedia screen at the center of the dashboard and a height-adjustable, telescopic leather steering wheel with multifunction controls make driving the 508 easy and enjoyable.

 

Corollary to this is ride quality and comfort. The robustly built 508 soaks up jolts from potholes and road surface imperfections while minimizing engine and wind noise, thanks to a well-insulated cabin and a soundproofed windscreen. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) are almost absent, so much so that you tend to forget you are driving a diesel-powered car. The leather seats are huge and provide lots of support and comfort even on longer journeys, making the 508 relaxing and satisfying to drive or ride. The front seats are conveniently power and height-adjustable.

 

Plush leather seating equals a quiet, comfortable ride.

SPACE. Since an executive sedan may double as a family car on weekends, interior space is important. The 508 is a big car, 4,792 mm long, allowing plenty of legroom and headroom. The refined, luxuriously appointed cabin of the 508 was carefully designed to provide an exceptional degree of roominess for occupants, although there are not enough cupholders and cubbyholes to store small items like mobile phones and drinks.  Cargo space in the trunk increases from 497 to 1,196 liters when the 60/40 split rear seatbacks are folded.

 

Aside from the meticulous fit and finish, piano black center console and half-leather trim, the automatic quad-zone air conditioner with rear air vents, rear and side window sunshades plus the eight-speaker JBL HiFi audio system enhance the classy ambience of the cabin. Under the central armrest are a multifunction control dial and a jack socket/USB port that allow you to connect your personal stereo to the infotainment system.

 

With six airbags, an Electronic Stability Program, Dynamic Stability Control, ABS, Hill Start Assist, four-wheel disc brakes, parking sensors front and rear, rain-sensing wiper blades and fog lamps, the 508 2.0 HDi Allure is one of the safest cars in its segment and earned five stars, the highest safety score, from the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The active and passive safety features in the 508 protect occupants without compromising driving pleasure.

 

Intelligent instrumentation inside offers complete infotainment.

The special lighting equipment of the 508 contributes further to its safety rating. Aside from autolighting LED daytime with static and directional lights, the 508 has reading lamps, cabin and foot lights and puddle lamps under the power folding side mirrors.

 

LOOKING GOOD. Finally, an executive sedan should not only drive good, it should look good. Peugeot replaced the confrontational “frog mouth” grille with a more conservative linear one and added new HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps and LED lighting tubes. At the rear, three prominent red claws mask three rows of LED lights. Streamlined sides, chrome-edged windows and blacked-out B pillars give the 508 a luxury cruiser appearance.

 

The cavernous trunk looks ready to swallow five golf bags.

Indeed, the Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi Allure sedan feels very high-quality and very well put together. So far, no major issues have been reported regarding the 508 although in the past year Peugeot did not do so well in the JD Power satisfaction survey. Because Peugeot is still an unknown brand in this country compared to Japanese and German car brands, the P1.995 million price tag  of the 508 could discourage buyers and its resale value may not be as high as its rivals in the midsize executive sedan segment.

 

On the other hand, these minuses are counterbalanced by the lightweight design, optimized aerodynamics and Peugeot’s technological expertise and innovation in the field of diesel engines. Before launching the 508, Peugeot reportedly subjected it to two million kilometers of road testing in real-life conditions to ensure that its quality, reliability and durability are first-class. Bottom line, as far as fuel economy and environmental sustainability go, the Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi Allure turbo diesel sedan is a winner.

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