Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered revealed

The Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered performance saloon has finally been revealed in full – its original unveiling having been planned for the cancelled Geneva Motor Show in March. The 355bhp, four-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid flagship will also be available in SW estate guise.

Peugeot claims “unprecedented” performance for the brand, with the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered capable of 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. In addition to its powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain, the fast 508 gets bigger brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and a wider track for a more favourable centre of gravity.

The 508 PSE has electric motors (one at the front and one at the rear) mated to a conventional petrol engine. Five driving modes are offered, changing the parameters for things like the powertrain, gearbox settings and adaptive suspension: Electric, Comfort, Hybrid, Sport and 4WD. 

In Electric mode, Peugeot claims a zero-emission range of up to 26 miles, with CO2 emissions of 46g/km. Official fuel economy stands at 139mpg.

Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered design

Peugeot’s new 508 range-topper builds on the standard car’s design, with a sportier body kit, huge 20-inch alloy wheels, and ‘Kryptonite’ green details throughout. 

It also gets specially treated black exhaust tips and a gloss-black rear diffuser – further emphasising the car’s sporting heritage. The 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered will be available in three colours: Selenium Grey, Perla Nera Black and Pearl White.

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Interior

Like the exterior, the interior uses the conventional 508 as a base, so you get the same i-Cockpit setup with a small steering wheel and raised dials. At the centre you’ll find the same large 10-inch touchscreen display, with a selection of piano-key shortcut buttons beneath.

The acid green exterior details are mirrored inside, with a similar hue on the dashboard and 12.3-inch digital dials, as well as matching stitching for the steering wheel and seats. You’ll even find some of the infotainment graphics sporting an identical shade of green.

Range and charging 

Peugeot claims an all-electric driving range of up to 26 miles, and like the conventional 508 Hybrid, the Peugeot Sport version is available with a 7.4kW on-board charger. Using this will allow you to replenish the car’s batteries in “less than two hours”.

Slower charging is also possible; a 3kW wallbox will fully charge the 508’s batteries in four hours, while a conventional household socket is said to take around seven hours.

Performance

Taking the standard plug-in hybrid version of the 508 as its starting point, Peugeot Sport has boosted the regular car’s performance with a variety of unique parts. With 355bhp and 520Nm of torque, it's the most powerful Peugeot ever.

Peugeot says the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered will do 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and hit 155mph. Every model gets three-mode adaptive dampers, a wider track (by 24mm at the front and 12mm at the rear), plus 380mm front brake discs with four-piston callipers. The flagship model is four-wheel-drive only and each model gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

In addition, the Peugeot Sport model gets a lowered seat plate for a more engaging driving position, plus gearbox paddles behind the steering wheel.

Price, equipment and on-sale date

Prices for the Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered saloon and SW estate haven't yet been revealed, but given the current range-topping Hybrid GT costs just over £40,000, it’s thought a starting price of around £45,000 is likely. That would put it on par with models like Volvo S60 Recharge T8 – a performance plug-in hybrid with 395bhp.

We can expect full specifications when the car goes on sale in 2021, but Peugeot says every model will get a digital head-up display, a 10-inch central screen and “comfort-fit” seats wrapped in Alcantara. Adaptive cruise control, night vision and a high-end Focal stereo are also standard.

David Peel, Peugeot UK's managing director, said at the time of the concept's revealing: “The work of everyone at Peugeot involved in developing our electric dream is starting to move faster than we ever thought possible. The 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered concept shows what's possible and gives us a taste of things to come over the next five years as we continue the path towards the electrification of our entire line-up.”