Peugeot 508 gets PHEV treatment

Days after revealing the details of its 3008 GT Hybrid4 PHEV SUV, Peugeot has followed up with its brand new 508 Hybrid and 508 SW Hybrid. Built on Peugeot's EMP2 platform, both cars have been designed to incorporate the PHEV powertrain and battery with zero impact on interior space, whilst also delivering very low emissions and fuel consumption.

Powertrain and emissions

The powertrain in the 508 and 508 SW is broadly similar to that which will make its way into the two-wheel-drive 3008 GT Hybrid, albeit with a slightly smaller battery pack. Internal combustion power comes from Peugeot's 1.6-litre PureTech turbo lump which is good for 177bhp. Alongside this, also putting its power through the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, is a 107bhp electric motor. Total system output is 221bhp.

In both cars the battery is rated at 11.8kWh and can be charged in less than two hours using a 7kW on-board charger (which is an option depending on spec). The 508 Hybrid saloon is capable of 33 miles on the WLTP cycle on electric-only power, whilst the slightly larger and thus heavier 508 SW Hybrid manages 32 miles.

Official fuel consumption figures and emissions reflect the suitability of PHEV powertrains for the WLTP cycle. Both cars return 217mpg, with carbon dioxide emissions at 29g/km for the 508 and 30g/km for the 508 SW. This is attractive for the business market as both versions of the 508 Hybrid fall into the lowest Benefit-in-Kind bracket, attracting a BIK rating of 10 per cent from April 2020.

Interior space and technology

As mentioned, Peugeot has managed to engineer the battery packaging to maintain the same interior dimensions as the standard ICE-powered cars. This means a fairly substantial 487 litres in the 508 Hybrid and 530 litres in the 508 SW Hybrid. In the latter car, a cavernous 1780 litres is available with the rear 40:60 bench folded down.

Both PHEV versions of the 508 are available in Allure, GT Line and GT trim levels, foregoing the base-spec Active trim available on ICE-powered cars. This means that all cars get the latest generation of Peugeot's i-Cockpit with a configurable 12.3-inch head-up instrument panel and a 10 inch infotainment touchscreen. MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Peugeot Connected 3D navigation. The top-of-the-range GT models feature Nappa Mistral full grain leather trim and a FOCAL premium HiFi speaker system.

As standard there are a range of driver aids and safety features. Class-leading safety features available include adaptive cruise control, lane positioning assist and Peugeot's night vision technology, which uses infrared cameras to enable drivers to see beyond the range of the headlights.

Pricing will be announced in due course with order books opening later this year.