FORECOURT
PEUGEOT 508 SW All torque
The turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol and electric motors produce 355bhp and 520Nm.
Peugeot has kickstarted its new electric performance division with what’s likely to be a rare sight. Ted Welford tried one for size... WHAT IS IT? Peugeot is getting ahead of the electrification curve in the ‘halo’ performance brand sector by launching its ‘Peugeot Sport Engineered’ (PSE) brand. Every model to come from PSE will either be a hybrid or electric. WHAT’S NEW? On first impression, you might think the 508 PSE – which is available as both a Fastback or the SW (estate) we’re testing here – is just the standard 508 with a slightly beefier engine and fancy frock. That’s true, in part, with this model being Peugeot’s most powerful road car to date and getting a seriously aggressive design. But there’s a lot more to it than just outright speed and visuals... WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Peugeot has combined a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with twin electric motors. With one on the front and another on the rear, it also means it’s four-wheel drive. Yet charge the model’s 11.5kWh battery up – which takes an hour and three-quarters with a 7kW wallbox – and Peugeot claims a 26-mile electric range. Benefit-in-kind is just 13 per cent for company car drivers, bringing welcome savings over the Audi S4 Avant and BMW M340d Touring, which make do with conventional engines. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? When you’re pushing on, you can really feel the traction at the rear axle helping to drive you around the corner. The well-weighted steering has clearly had plenty of recalibration to make it feel more involving than the standard car, while the agility for a 1.9-tonne hybrid estate car is nothing short of remarkable. You also sit delightfully low in the superb leather and Alcantara sports seats that help to elevate that sporty feel, while the ‘Comfort’ setting makes the 508 PSE a decent cruiser. It’s still pretty firm, though, thanks to Peugeot stiffening up the suspension by 50 per cent and large 20-inch wheels wrapped in low-tyre wall Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. HOW DOES IT LOOK? It attracts glances on the road like few hybrid wagons ever could, with the darkened chrome Peugeot badges not immediately noticeable and inviting the inquisitive to take a closer 34 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
THE KNOWLEDGE
Peugeot 508 SW PSE Hybrid4 360 e-EAT8 4WD Price: £55,795 Engine: Turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol with electric motors Power: 355bhp Torque: 520Nm Max speed: 155mph O-60mph: 5.0 seconds MPG (combined): 138.9 Emissions: 46g/km CO2
