MOTORS
by MIKE TORPEY
T
HE starting gate springs open amid screams and hollers as a pair of trainedto-the-minute racehorses blast up the narrow allweather training gallop. Just a few yards away, an engine roars into life, four-wheel drive is engaged and the race is on – horse versus car. On this occasion, it’s first blood to the equine side, as the grey colt Unknown Villain leaves his mechanised rival trailing by the end of a six-furlong piece of work. Not far behind, though, another pair of colts hit full tilt, but this time the Peugeot has been able to combat the instant acceleration of the racehorses and has more than enough power on tap to stay abreast. This exhibition of horse power – pace and elegance on one side, 200bhp on the other – is hardly a daily occurrence at Manor House Stables, the training complex partowned by ex-Liverpool and England footballer Michael Owen. But every day, a number of the 80-plus colts, fillies and geldings trained at the Cheshire establishment by Tom Dascombe are exercised on the gallops as they home in on fixtures like the upcoming Chester May meeting. It’s just that this week the complex has been central to the launch of Peugeot’s new dieselelectric powered 508 RXH, in a link-up aimed at spotlighting the complete thoroughbred experience.
INSIDE:
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ON TRACK: Learn racing skills with Rocket Ron
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The 508 RXH, which goes on sale next month from £33,695, is a spacious five-seater family crossover model. Its Hybrid4 drivetrain consists of a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 163bhp to drive the front wheels and a 37bhp electric motor to power the rear and is fitted with a six speed, semi-automatic gearbox. And because one of its four driving modes is ZEV – zero emission vehicle – we were able to drive the RXH silently and without any tailpipe fumes through two of the stable barns as valuable bluebloods like Brown Panther, the progressive Anaconda and Wayne Rooney’s Switcharooney looked on just inches away. These horses have an important year ahead of them, as does Peugeot. Not only has the French manufacturer also launched the 3008 Hybrid4 – the world’s first diesel electric car – and a revamped 107 city car, but the new 208 supermini arrives in June. As part of what Peugeot calls its highly special “Hors-Series”, the 508 RXH is both upmarket and distinctive, as well as actually being four cars in one – a zero emission
Edited by Mike Torpey
S E C A E C A R
RACING CERTS: Peugeot’s new 508 RXH joins racehorses on the gallops at Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables
electric vehicle, an economic family car, a 4x4 and a 200bhp estate. Key to its appeal is a drive set-up which calculates when the car should be using just the diesel engine, only the electric motor or the best of both to provide the optimum economy or performance. There are four operating modes, accessed via a rotary dial on the centre console, comprising Auto – best for everyday conditions – ZEV electric mode for zero emissions, Four-wheel Drive in which both powertrains operate together for all-terrain grip, and Sport mode for quicker gear shifts and dynamic performance. Add to that little lot
the potential for returning more than 70 miles per gallon in urban conditions, plus low CO² emissions of 107g/km, and you have a car worth serious consideration. As the halo model of the 508 range, the RXH certainly looks the part with its 40mm wider track, 50mm increased height and elegant profile. Inside, there’s plenty of space, brushed aluminium and shaded lacquers on the dashboard, decor in tinted copper shades, comfortable seating and a large panoramic sunroof while the 423-litre boot can be increased to a whopping 1,439 litres by folding the rear bench. You
also get sat-nav with Bluetooth, a colour head-up display and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, though the likes of leather upholstery and a massaging driver’s seat are extra cost options. Peugeot’s launch route across the Cheshire and North Wales countryside afforded the opportunity to test the RXH in various conditions, including in electric drive – available up to 40mph depending on throttle action – before the auto kicks in. You can manually flick the dial to Sport on the move, and feel the car spring into overdrive, to summon the full 200bhp punch on fast roads.
And, to keep the driver in the picture, the dashboard display tells you where the power is coming from at any given time and how much charge there is left in the battery. The signs were all positive from a car that’s enjoyable and nicely composed to drive. On the downside, the official figures may indicate Combined economy of 68.9mpg, but we only got 42.1. There’s also nowhere to put the key if you opt to buy a Limited Edition model, which may be kitted up to the hilt – but costs a princely £36,000.