More efficient Peugeot 508 GT lands

PEUGEOT has slashed fuel consumption on flagship GT variants of its 508 large car range, resulting in a theoretical tank range of 1636 kilometres for the sedan and 1565km for the Touring wagon based on the official ADR81/02 combined cycle figure of 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

In addition to replacing the GT’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine with a smaller Euro 6 compliant unit, Peugeot Australia has applied driveaway pricing of $59,990 for the sedan and $62,990 for the Touring, both representing claimed savings of $3000.

The new 2.0L BlueHDi engine develops 133kW and 400Nm, which is down 17kW and 50Nm compared with the outgoing Euro 5 compliant 2.2L unit, meaning the 0-100km/h dash is completed four tenths slower at 8.6 seconds.

But in return is significantly improved efficiency that is 1.0L/100km (or 18.5 per cent) less on the combined cycle than before, dropping CO2 emissions from 140 grams per kilometre to 114g/kmOfficial urban and highway figures now sit at 5.1L/100km and 4.0L/100km respectively.

Following the introduction of Euro 6 compliant engines in the 308 small car range and the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary edition hot hatch, the new 508 GT drivetrain represents further progress towards Peugeot’s aim of all Australian offerings meeting the stringent emissions regulation.

Peugeot Australia general manager John Startari said the next model to receive Euro 6 engines will be the facelifted 208 light hatch range that arrives Down Under later this year.

“The 508 GT signals a shift to Euro 6 engines across as many of our vehicle lines as quickly as possible,” he said.

“This new generation of Euro 6 powerplants prove Australians can have their cake and eat it too, with the power, performance and economy demanded by local customers.

“Peugeot has always been highly regarded for our ability to deliver, refined, frugal and powerful engine combinations that can traverse the country and with a 1600km range. And the 508 GT maintains that legacy.”

The updated 508 range was launched in Australia in March this year, with sharpened styling and extra standard equipment including the range-wide fitment of a 7.0-inch touchscreen.

Flagship GT models are exclusively fitted with a double-wishbone suspension layout on the front axle, while other models use MacPherson struts.

Peugeot 508 sales are up 4.5 per cent year-to-date with 258 units registered, making it the brand’s fourth most popular model after the 308 small car (1115 units), 4008 compact SUV (622 units) and light-sized 208 (562 units).

Overall sales are up 3.6 per cent – just outstripping the wider market’s 3.2 per cent growth – with 2998 registrations to the end of August.

Peugeot 508 pricing

Active petrol (a)	$37,990*
Allure diesel (a)	$45,990*
Allure Touring diesel(a)	$48,990*
GT diesel (a)	$59,990 d/a
GT Touring diesel (a)	$62,990 d/a

*Excludes on-road costs