New Peugeot 508 range to be launched this week

The Peugeot 508, the replacement for the popular 407, will officially launch at Peugeot Dealerships nationwide this week.

The Peugeot 508 range combines strong design and good looks with Peugeot’s latest diesel engines, class-leading driveability, high levels of quality and safety to offer a large, comfortable family car.

It is available in three trims – Access, Active and Allure – and in two body styles: a saloon (with a length of 4.79 m) and SW (4.81 m), sporting a huge panoramic glass roof. Both body forms adopt Peugeot’s new single floating grille and piercing headlamps, first seen on the stunning SR1 concept car.

Interior dimensions, on a par with those of the 607, are much improved in relation to the 407 to offer more rear passenger room and a bigger boot.

The 508's spacious interior

The 508 is available in Ireland with a choice of four efficient diesel engines. The 1.6 eHDi 112bhp Stop Start engine is matched to an electronically controlled Ecomatique gearbox and qualifies for Band A €104 annual road tax. The eHDi stop start system reduces fuel consumption by up to 15% during urban driving.

The 1.6 HDi 112bhp manual and the 2.0 HDi 140bhp 6-speed engines both qualify for €156 annual road tax. The 2.0 HDi 163bhp 6-speed full automatic offering qualifies for €302 road tax. In 2012, HYbrid4 technology will be introduced, with its 200bhp and all-wheel drive potential, emitting just 99 g/km of CO2 (or zero in electric mode).

All 508s come with hill assist, traction control and the latest-generation ESP, which includes CBC (dynamic stability control), EBA (emergency brake assist) and EBFD (electronic brake force distribution). The 508 is equipped with 6 airbags and 2 Isofix child seat fixtures. The front seats have new curved head restraints, developed to combat the effects of a rear collision and whiplash.

Prices start from €24,850 plus delivery related charges for the 1.6 HDi 112bhp Access model and rise to €35,150 for the top of the range, 2.0 HDi 163bhp Automatic Allure model.

Nick Bradshaw