Peugeot is a brand that has truly transformed its fortunes in recent years – moving away from plain mainstream cars into a more upmarket, glamorous and advanced section of the market.
There have been a number of models that have been key to this – including the latest 3008 and 5008 SUVs – but possibly more than any other Peugeot, the 508 has been the driving force behind this shift into more premium territory. That’s thanks to its show-stopping interior, fantastic styling and comfort-orientated approach.
But now the 508 is acting as the pillar for the brand’s next project – Peugeot Sport Engineered, or PSE for short. Here are five things you need to know about it…
It kickstarts Peugeot’s new electrified performance brand
Peugeot has committed to offering each of its cars with either a hybrid or electric powertrain, and it’s nearly reached that goal already. It’s clear that electrified models are key to its future, and the new Peugeot Sport Engineered division is aiming to solidify that, as every car from this performance brand will feature either an electric or hybrid setup.
That’s a big change from the usual petrol motors currently found in performance cars, with the plug-in hybrid 508 PSE kick-starting this new division.
Seriously powerful
There’s one thing that the 508 PSE certainly isn’t lacking and that’s performance, with the model combining a 200bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine with twin electric motors – one on each axle – to generate a combined 355bhp and 520Nm of torque.
That makes it Peugeot’s most powerful car it’s ever made, with the model able to sprint to 60mph in just five seconds and flat out would hit a top speed of 155mph. Because of the electric motor positioning, it also means the car is all-wheel-drive, too, which gives the model seriously impressive grip and traction in poor weather.
Plenty of changes ‘under the surface’
But there’s a lot more to the 508 PSE than just its sheer outright grunt, with Peugeot’s motorsport team making a whole host of revisions to improve the way it drives for a sportier feel.
Just a few highlights include the model having a lower suspension setup, while it’s been stiffened up by 50 per cent to reduce body roll through the corners. Elsewhere, it gets brilliant four-piston Alcon brakes, a wider track than the regular 508, while Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are also fitted. All these differences, combined with the sheer performance – equate to a superb driving experience, being one of the best-driving Peugeots of recent years.
It looks like nothing else on the road
Even the regular 508 and 508SW are fantastic cars to look at, but with this Peugeot Sport Engineered trim, the French firm has made a whole host of revisions to enhance the sporty look.
For starters, it gets the division’s trademark Kryptonite-coloured accents (the greeny-yellow bits) for the brake callipers, badging and front air intakes, while it also gains dark chrome Peugeot ‘lions’ and fancy aerodynamic pieces for the bumpers. Along with its large 20-inch alloy wheels, large rear diffuser, it truly looks like nothing else on the road today, and for all the right reasons too.
Impressively low running costs
Yet, this is a performance car with a difference, as while you can enjoy the sporty drive, you won’t be struck with ridiculously high running costs.
That’s because the 508 PSE is also equipped with a rechargeable 11.5kWh battery, which allows for 26 miles of electric driving. When charged up, it could allow for some impressively low running costs, with Peugeot claiming it could return up to 138.9mpg. Low CO2 emissions of 46g/km will also be of particular interest to company car drivers, with the PSE having a benefit-in-kind of just 13 per cent, which brings huge savings over petrol and diesel rivals.
Enquire on a new Peugeot 508 PSE