In July this year, Piston.my was invited to Monte Carlo, Monaco to review the all-new Peugeot 508(below), which in itself is one of the most remarkable D-segment cars ever, and destined to be launched in Malaysia in Q1 2019. You can read more about, view photos and videos of the 508 sedan here.
Now one really good thing about attending the Bangkok International Motorshow (<—link) as part of the international media contingent is getting to meet fellow motoring scribes from around the globe, and having kept in touch with all of them, yesterday I discovered that my friend Alfonso Rizzo from Ruote In Pista (<–link) Italy, was out reviewing the sibling of the 508, the Sport Wagon, in both First-Edition and GT guise!
I’d only managed to catch a glimpse of the Sport Wagon (SW) during the media presentation of the 508 sedan fleetingly, the slide showing what was to come in the near future was flashed up for no more than 10sec; the organisers probably didn’t want us asking too much about the SW, preferring that we concentrate on the sedan that we were there to review instead.
Despite the briefness of the slide being presented though, the image got stuck in my head, because it really is one of the most stunning wagons I’d ever seen, and thanks to Al – who is actually driving the 508 SW right now – you too get to see just how spectacular it is! He just sent me this short video clip below from Cascais, Portugal. I’d messaged him saying I wish I was him… and he responded with this, freaking hysterical!
Thanks Al, you lucky devil! Now the best news of all…. it seems that Nasim, the official importers and Peugeot brand custodians in Malaysia, are indeed going to bring the 508 Sport Wagon GT into the country! We can’t wait, seriously. Nice one Peugeot, and thanks again Al! – Chris Wee.
Peugeot 508 Sport Wagon Photo Gallery (Photos courtesy of Alfonso Rizzo @ Ruote in Pista)
From now till Sunday 28th October, Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor and custodian for the Peugeot brand in Malaysia is showcasing the New Peugeot 308 THP to the Malaysian public at Peugeot’s Motion & Emotion Roadshow at 1 Utama Shopping Mall. Built for people inspired by stylish design, engineering excellence and pure driving pleasure, Peugeot’s latest model will most certainly bring Ultimate Thrills to its driver and passengers.
“The New 308 THP exudes European flair and function, and is an upgraded variant of the best-selling Peugeot model in Malaysia. It was designed for the charismatic Malaysian with a passion for speed and being in control with its state-of-the-art technology and exemplary road handling. With that, we believe that the New 308 THP will become one of our best-selling models alongside the impeccable 3008 SUV,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings.
An evolved icon of refinement, the New 308 THP displays the latest Peugeot design language and dons a dynamic new look with a re-profiled front bumper, bonnet and radiator grille, incorporated with the iconic Peugeot Lion emblem. Inside, the stylish new car features the signature Peugeot i-Cockpit ergonomically designed to ensure safety and comfort with its compact steering wheel and 9.7-inch HD touchscreen, as well as a heads-up display positioned at the driver’s optimum eye level and raised centre console. The New 308 THP also offers advanced connectivity features such as Mirrorlink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay for seamless pairing with smart devices. Additionally, the 180° Reverse Camera with auto zoom enables easier parking and reversing.
Compared to the pre-facelift model, the New 308 THP is edgier and more responsive thanks to the proven award-winning 1.6 litre THP engine mated to a 6-speed auto transmission with Quickshift Technology. With a more efficient and powerful engine that is 15 PS more than the pre-facelift model, the New Peugeot 308 THP achieves an output of 167 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,400 rpm of peak torque. The sporty car also has a top speed of 211 km/h while keeping fuel efficiency in check with a range-topping 800 km on a single tank. Peugeot’s latest model is also perfect for thrill-seekers, installed with a Sport mode which allows the driver a spirited drive.
Crafted with safety and comfort in mind, the Peugeot 308 THP is 140 kg lighter, more compact and sturdy with a lower centre of gravity as compared to its predecessor, for added stability. The car is also packed with safety systems including Peugeot Hill Start Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) which makes it the ultimate road companion for manoeuvring through the congested Malaysian city traffic.
Available in five elegant colours Pearl White, Ultimate Red, Artense Grey, Magnetic Blue and Nera Black, the New Peugeot 308 THP is available for viewing from today until 28th October 2018 at the 1 Utama New Wing alongside award-winning Peugeot models – New 308 GTi, 3008 SUV, 5008 SUV and 208 Puretech.
Concurrently, Peugeot’s Motion & Emotion Roadshow is featuring the on-going Year-End Autovaganza Campaign with exciting deals and great savings of up to RM 12,000. Limited-time deals include the New Peugeot 308 THP at a starting price of RM 129,888 and Peugeot 3008 SUV from RM 141,888. Meanwhile, the Peugeot 5008 SUV retails for RM 172,888 and Peugeot 208 Puretech goes for RM86,888.
Peugeot fans can experience Peugeot’s Motion & Emotion Roadshow at Ground Floor, High Street, 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Get exclusive deals only at the roadshow and test drive your favourite Peugeot model; choose the 208 Puretech, 3008 SUV, 5008 SUV or New 308 THP.
All Peugeot models include a 5-year peace-of-mind or 120,000 km warranty, together with Nasim’s existing 24-hour Peugeot Assistance service and complimentary access to ‘SkyLounge by Naza’ at Subang Skypark. For more information about Peugeot models, log on to www.peugeot.com.my.
Groupe PSA’s SUV offensive with 13 modelslaunched worldwide by the five brands – Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall – drove the Group’s robust sales momentum in the first half of 2018. At more than 609,300 units, SUV sales accounted for nearly 28% of the Group’s sales. The success of these models has made Groupe PSA at the end of May, number two in this segment in Europe, with a market share of 16.9%, and number one in the B-SUV segment.
Peugeot is the leading brand in the SUV segment in Europe, selling more than 339,200 SUVs worldwide (up 26%) in the first half of 2018. Since the beginning of the year, Peugeot confirms the upward trend of the PEUGEOT 3008 SUV, with 144,000 units sold (up 37%); it has also enjoyed strong demand for the new PEUGEOT 5008, which has logged 58,900 unit sales.
The Citroën SUV offensive launched last autumn is being driven by the C3 Aircross in Europe and the C5 Aircross in China, which together represented nearly 80,000 units sold in the first half of 2018, for a total of 135,000 since their launch. The launch of the C4 Aircross in China and the C5 Aircross in Europe in the second half will allow Citroën to accelerate its offensive.
Launched worldwide in February 2018, the DS 7 CROSSBACK, first DS of the second generation is key to growth at DS Automobiles, which came up to +35% in the second quarter. Two out of three customers choose the top-of-the-line versions, and while the DS 7 CROSSBACK offers premium equipment from the entry level, every second customer chooses the DS CONNECTED PILOT option, which opens the way to level 2 autonomous driving.
Excerpt from the full report: China & South East Asia: continued sales recovery…
With sales of 163,000 vehicles in China & South East Asia, up 6.9%, the Group has seen the first signs of a sales recovery. Citroën was the biggest contributor to the improvement, with sales up 50.5%, thanks to its range of sedans and the local launch of the C5 Aircross SUV last September.
The volume mix of the PEUGEOT 3008/4008/5008 SUV family is also improving, representing 40% of the brand’s total sales volumes. DS Automobiles sales are stable in the second quarter of 2018. In China, the DS 7 CROSSBACK was launched at the Beijing Motor Show in late April 2018.
During the first half, the Group made significant progress in strengthening its operations in South East Asia with the creation of a joint venture with Naza Corporation Holdings (Malaysia). The Group has sold over 4,900 vehicles in ASEAN area in the first half of this year. The acceleration in this part of the region is now noticeable.
Don’t look at the photos! They do very little justice to the new Peugeot 508. Okay, look at them, but bear in mind, as good as it may look here, this is one car that definitely looks a lot more impressive in the flesh…so maybe scroll down to the videos instead eh? Still here? Okay then here’s my favourite angle of the new Peugeot 508… is that one of the best looking rear-ends ever or what?
The thing to remember though, the thing that we collectively could NOT wrap our heads around, is the fact that the new 508 is not a sports car or some one-off creation targeted at a very specific clientele with ‘performance’ as their #1 criteria. No, the new Peugeot 508 is just another D-segment contender, set to debut here in Q2 of 2019.
Now this really boggles the mind. If you take a gander at the current D-segment of the motoring realm, it’s made up of cars like the Camry, Accord, Passat, Teana, etc. and etc. ad infinium. So, how does one compete in a class as saturated as this? A class over-populated by extremely well-established marques, with the kind of following and brand-allegiance that spans generations? You don’t. You make a new class.
What Peugeot has done with the new 508 is to pick up the rulebook on “How to make a D-Segment Car”, ripped it to shreds and chucked all the bits of it out the window. No, really… they have. The new 508 is unlike anything the current D-segment has to offer. And that’s a good thing because the D-segment is dying…
Look at it this way; the price range in which the D-segment resides is prime real-estate for another form of personal mobility, the ubiquitous SUV. Many – men and especially women – who are looking to upgrade their current D-segment car or even anyone thinking of getting a D-segmenter will undoubtedly scope the SUV market as well, because that price range is also where a lot of midsize SUVs reside, some really good ones too like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan, etc. and etc. ad infinium… again.
So, knowing this, Peugeot has done a 180 (pun intended) turn, and produced something that nobody expected; a very exciting D-segment car for a dying category. This is the last shot at greatness for this class and it’s a helluva shot, because in my book, it’s not out to attract current D-segment car buyers, no… it’s the icing on the cake, the aspirational goal so to speak, for current C-segment owners.
Think about it, what do current C-segment owners have to upgrade to? Of course there’s the aforementioned SUV, but what if said owner hasn’t reached that inevitable “I must buy an SUV” stage in his or her life? They want something in a bigger segment, but also aren’t ready for that “Hey look at me, I’m a dull middle-aged homosapien en route to collect my pension kill-me-now” stage of life just yet.
And that’s precisely where the new 508 comes in. Here’s a D-segment car that still has all the trappings (and more) of a sporty, youthful, exuberant and fun C-segment car, that caters beautifully, perfectly to those seeking a large car without that matured ‘large-car’ image. Here’s how Peugeot themselves sum it up: “The new PEUGEOT 508 changes everything. Its structure is more compact and its height reduced.
The new exterior design is sharper and more robust, while the car’s spectacular interior includes an evolution of the iconic PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®.
Its exemplary road-handling, new engines, countless technology features and quantum leap in quality means the new PEUGEOT 508 sets a world class standard within the D-segment and further supports the Brand’s upmarket strategy”.
The new Peugeot 508. It’s an absolutely stunning car and Piston.my has been invited to the international launch and test drive of the new Pug in Monte Carlo! In a few hours we will be leaving on an epic 18-hour journey to the South of France where 22-degree weather and more importantly the new 508 await. Check out the video below to see for yourself what we mean by stunning…
We can’t wait to get behind the wheel as the excitement builds, and until we get to tell you our take on it, here’s whatAutoExpress UKhad to say about the new Peugeot 508. See you soon folks! – Chris Wee.
Peugeot demonstrated that it hasn’t lost faith in the large saloon car market with the launch of this new 508. In the face of falling demand for large family cars like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall InsigniaGrand Sport, the Peugeot 508seems to have an uphill struggle on its hands. Can its sharp looks and high technology levels make it a viable alternative to its direct rivals, or even the ever-popular BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class from the compact executive class? Peugeot certainly hopes so.
The 508 slots into a range that includes the 2008, 3008 and 5008 for buyers who simply must drive an SUV, leaving it free to fulfill the more traditional family car role with more than a little style. The car is arguably the most eye-catching large car to come from the brand in a very long time. Whichever way you look at it, the french carmaker has a very complete range of cars these days and there’s a Peugeot to serve most requirements, from the tiny 108 city car to the huge Peugeot Traveller MPV. (Continued after the photo gallery below)
It’s immediately apparent that the latest 508 has rather more visual appeal than its rather forgettable predecessor. The 508’s nose is dominated by a front grille that’s either slatted or studded, depending on trim level, and flanked by purposeful-looking headlights and blade-like daytime running lights. It’s sporty and distinctive, and fits well with the corporate style seen elsewhere in the Peugeot range.
This family resemblance is also encountered at the rear of the car, where noticeable blisters top the rear wheelarches, and a dark panel that runs horizontally through the bootlid is pierced by the glow of three tail-lamps either side. The 508’s sweeping fastback form is reminiscent of the Volkswagen Arteon, as are its frameless windows, and this gives the Peugeot quite an upmarket flavour.
The interior is no less bold in style. We’ve become used to cutting-edge cockpit design in Peugeot’s SUV range and the 508 offers a similar look and feel. The dashboard has been styled to accommodate a driving position that’s more low-slung and laid back than the one in the 5008 SUV, but shares that car’s small steering wheel, which is intended to be looked over instead of through when you’re glancing at the instruments.
It makes it easy to see Peugeot’s I-Cockpit electronic display, which is standard across the range and can be configured to display an array of information types. Combine this with the row of piano-key buttons for minor controls and the 508 has a real high-tech ambience.
Although the 508 is big on sporty appeal, not all versions have quite the power to live up to the car’s muscular looks. Entry-level Active models only offer a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine option, with 129bhp and a six-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox. The latter is mandatory with the 158bhp 2.0-litre BlueHDI 160 diesel and 1.6-litre 177bhp BlueTech 180 petrol engines, which become available on Allure and GT Line models. The most powerful 2.0-litre, 177bhp BlueHDI diesel and 1.6-litre, 221bhp BlueTech 225 petrol engines are reserved for the GT and First Edition – a flagship offered for a limited period after the 508’s 2018 launch.
Claimed diesel fuel economy figures range from 62.8mpg for the BlueHDi 180 to 74.3mpg for the BlueHDi 130 diesel automatic. The former emits a claimed 98g/km of CO2, which means a 24% Benefit-in-Kind tax penalty for company car users – narrowly beating the 25% figure for the 124g/km BlueTech 180 petrol. The latter will appeal more strongly to enthusiastic drivers, though, with a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds, while the 225 version brings the sprint time down to a little over seven. Even better news is that the latest 508 has the handling to exploit that power, too. It can’t match the BMW 3 Series for sheer joy, but few will complain that the Peugeot is dull to drive.
Expert independent car safety testing organisationEuro NCAP has yet to reveal crash test results for the Peugoet 508. A driver assistance pack of adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, and lane-positioning assistance is available, and autonomous emergency braking is standard across the range.
On balance, though, the Peugeot 508 still has loads of appeal, with sporty looks and an imaginatively designed interior, and it drives at least as well as its Ford, Volkswagen and Vauxhall rivals. While it might prove difficult to persuade buyers away from their SUVs, the 508 might well attract sales from would-be BMW, Audi and Mercedes buyers.
