AIMS: Peugeot reveals Oz spec, pricing for 508

WITH the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne as a backdrop, Peugeot has launched its all-new 508 mid-size sedan and wagon range, Australian specification and pricing details for which were announced today.

The launch line-up of Peugeot’s 407 replacement will consist of three diesel variants, including a 2.0-litre sedan ($42,990) and wagon ($45,990) in luxury Allure specification, undercutting the cheapest diesel Volkswagen Passat sedan by $1000 and being lineball with the wagon.

However, unless buyers want their 508 painted in Bianca White, they must pay an $800 premium for that metallic colours Aluminium, Thorium or Flint grey, Perla Nera black or Espresso brown, plus three new colours comprising Oyster, Egyptian blue and Alpine blue, while $1300 buys a ‘premium’ pearlescent white finish.

The 2.2-litre GT flagship, uniquely featuring handling-enhancing aluminium drop-link double-wishbone front suspension, costs $52,990.

Interestingly, the GT shares the Allure’s fuel consumption rating of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, despite its 150kW/450Nm engine posting a 30kW/110Nm power and torque advantage over the smaller unit and its 8.2-second 0-100km/h time being a whole second quicker.

Peugeot says this is due to the engine’s sophistication, with features like a titanium turbocharger impeller, eight-nozzle piezo-electric injectors, optimised combustion chambers, friction reduction and a re-engineering of the six-speed paddle-shift automatic.

Later in the year a 115kW/240Nm entry-level 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine (also seen in Peugeot’s RCZ coupe) will join the line-up, bringing with it a sedan-only ‘Active’ base specification priced at $36,990.

That price point takes the Peugeot directly into battle with the likes of Honda’s Accord Euro, Hyundai’s i45, the Toyota Camry, Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo.

The petrol powerplant will also be available in Allure specification in both the sedan ($39,490) and wagon ($42,490) from December.

A super-frugal 1.6-litre ‘eHDi’ diesel variant employing idle-stop and electronically controlled air intakes to cut consumption to 4.4L/100km and CO2 emissions to 109g/km will join the range in October.

A further planet-friendly 508 will follow in 2012, in the form of a diesel-electric, all-wheel drive HYbrid4 version with performance comparable to the GT but CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

The Allure and GT get keyless entry and starting, while the GT (Allure optional) gets a retractable colour head-up display projecting information like speed, cruise control setting and, when satellite-navigation is specified, turn-by-turn directions.

Leather-trimmed seats with driver and front passenger electric adjustment are standard on Allure-spec cars, optional on Active and GT variants. The 60/40-split folding rear bench has three head restraints, a centre armrest incorporating two cup-holders and a ski flap with load-through functionality.

On the wagon the seats are folded – creating a flat load floor – through the use of remote-control levers in the boot.

All models get electro-hydraulic steering, which continually adjusts the amount of assistance to suit road speed. Steering wheel-mounted controls for cruise control, speed limiter, audio system and configuration menu also feature on all variants.

An audio-visual rear parking sensor system is standard across the range, with Allure and GT variants also getting front parking assistance.

The front and rear systems combine to measure the size of parallel parking spaces as the vehicle moves slowly past them, and the information screen informs the driver whether it is possible, difficult or impossible to park in a given space.

Active and Allure variants get their own 17-inch alloy wheel designs while the GT comes with 18s. Allure and GT customers can upgrade to different-design, inch-bigger rims, which on the GT are two-tone black and silver.

Peugeot says it has selected commonly-used wheel and tyre sizes for the 508 so that customers are not faced with big bills when it comes to replacing rubber. All sizes up to 18-inch are fitted with Michelin ‘Primacy HP’ tyres, whereas the GT’s optional 19-inch hoops get Continental ‘SportContact 3’ tyres.

In additional to the usual passenger cell and energy-absorption engineering that goes into a five-star Euro NCAP-rated vehicle, Peugeot says it has designed the front bumper to lift a pedestrian towards the bonnet to prevent them from falling under the wheels.

It also says the 508’s “suitcase type” door-handles allow for easier release of occupants in the event of an accident.

Standard 508 safety kit includes two front, side and curtain airbags plus three top-tether child seat anchorage points. Anti-whiplash adjustable head restraints are designed to offer a high level of protection.

Active safety gadgetry includes an electric parking brake with hill-start assist (standard on Allure and GT), electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, emergency brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, cornering brake control and traction control.

A colour head-up display and directional bi-Xenon headlights plus foglights with intersection lighting, high-beam assist, welcome/follow-me-home lighting, door sill lighting, parking lamps and daytime running lights are also said to enhance safety whether driving, parking or entering and exiting the vehicle.

Peugeot sales in Australia are down slightly to the end of May, with 2272 registrations representing a 1.7 per cent decline over the same period last year. The 308 – a facelifted version of which also made its Australian debut at AIMS – is the brand’s top-seller with 726 units sold, closely followed by the 207 range with 706 units.

With the 508 and upcoming 308 Peugeot will be offering a guaranteed servicing package priced at $330 per year – which can be added to the initial payment like any other option – for the duration of the car’s three-year warranty period or 60,000 kilometres.

2011 Peugeot 508pricing:&nbsp
Active sedan 1.6 Turbopetrol (a)	$36,990
Allure sedan 1.6 Turbopetrol (a) &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp	$39,490
Allure wagon 1.6 Turbo petrol (a)	$42,490
Allure sedan 2.0 HDi (a)	$42,990
Allure wagon 2.0 HDi (a)	$45,990
GT 2.2 HDi (a)	$52,990