There are designs like the 508 shots which fail to make full use of their qualities. For it must be in the presence of the new sedan at the Lion to truly appreciate the stroke of a pen. This style is radically different compared to the 407, was partly driven by expectations of China. In the sedan segment of this size, they are simple to summarize: you have the car released prestige. Peugeot has drawn on the German standards with a trunk whose profile resembles that of the BMW 5 Series and face massive, widespread at Audi. The result is a line off a certain presence and an unsuspected consistency of shots.
The 508 is longer than the 407. Ten inches longer to achieve the 4m80 and a wheelbase that wins as much. On board, the gain in volume is consistent and it is the rear passengers who benefit the most with one leg room identical to the 607. The chest wins for its 25% capacity.
The interior finish does not suffer any reproach. It is beautifully presented, the materials are flattering. And to compete with the sizes of the segment, Peugeot has also put the package in terms of optional equipment without going overboard. Several systems are thus emerging from the mark as the start and lock hands-free, automatic switching of the beam (with a small camera on the top of the windshield) and gearshift paddles on its machines.
Navigation does not change. Do not see so far a defect, the qualities of WIP Nav Plus system are still relevant and its price is very attractive since it is 1500 euros while it is usually 2000 Euros in this segment. It is a reactive system with its hard drive, clear but it could become even more ergonomic.
Dynamic side, the goal was to get Peugeot to conduct more flexible than the 407 without falling into the register of the flying carpet of the Citroen C5. Quickly, we see that the goal is reached Sedan filter very well the roughness while maintaining alertness. The train eased to 15 kg compared to the 407 certainly played in that direction. Management is in turn very well adjusted with sufficient firmness when the pace is sustained.
For those who want a more responsive behavior, Peugeot has not used led to the suspension. Too bad, but it offers a good compromise, however, a more sharp GT that not neglect comfort.
On the finish, where the front has a double-wishbone architecture, the difference is clear, the car becomes much more accurate.
The GT version, we just tried with the new diesel engine range. A 2.2-liter HDI increased by downsizing the box to replace the V6 HDI. The block develops 204 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque uses a single turbo and offers similar performance to the V6, for a net decline in consumption and C02 emissions reduced by nearly 50g/km thus avoiding the penalty environment.
To achieve such a result, this engine has a particular attention with a clever alternative, a turbo lighter through the use of titanium, a reduction in internal friction and a lower idle speed to 700 revolutions / minute. A nice showcase, swift, capable of high-revving, but a little noisy on the motorway.
To accompany, there is a six-speed automatic transmission, inherited from the Citroen C5, but with some changes in the gear changes. In practice, she is pleasant and is not observed in the slow passages, unlike the box-driven version of the E-HDI quickly as we could and tried again showed gaps in the barbed field.
Homogeneous and without any real fault, the 508 has all the qualities to dethrone Volkswagen Passat in the segment. It is pretentious, but luckily still lucid about its rates comparable to those of competitors registered GPs.
2012 Peugeot 508 photo
