The Peugeot 508 has received a facelift nearly four years after we first saw it, and as facelifts go, we're looking at a pretty major one. Not just a shot of botox, but a new grille that's "emblematic of the brand's future models". We've seen this new nose before on the Peugeot Exalt Concept and Chinese-market new Peugeot 408 from the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.
The new grille is more vertical than before and houses a big Peugeot lion in the middle. The front lighting - headlamps, daytime running lights, direction indicators, foglamps - are all LEDs. The visual signature - a "comma" on the sedan and SW (wagon), claws on the RXH (Audi Allroad-style raised wagon) - is provided by the DRLs. Also redesigned is the bonnet, which is now more horizontal to match the nose.
The rear end of the D-segment sedan is said to be more "structured" now, with a redesigned rear bumper that is more prominent. The rear lamps have also been reshaped, with a revised opalescent three-claw signature.
Inside, the smart-looking dashboard is unchanged at a glance, but upon closer inspection, the iDrive-style controller is gone, and in its place is a new storage box with lid. This addresses one of the few complaints we have about the 508 - the lack of cabin storage spaces. Most of the functions can now be accessed by touching the seven-inch central screen. New to the equipment list are blind spot sensors, reverse camera and Peugeot Connect Apps.
Peugeot is offering new engines for the 508. On the petrol front, we have the 1.6 litre THP 165 S&S, a Euro 6 mill paired with either a six-speed manual or the new EAT6 six-speed auto. Replacing the THP 156, this new motor is significantly lower in C02 emissions.
In the diesel department, new BlueHDi engines include a 2.0 litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed manual (CO2 emissions of just 105 g/km, best in class for the power offered) and a 2.0 litre BlueHDi 180 EAT6 with CO2 emissions of just 111 g/km. Peugeot says that the latter is one of the best compromises between power and fuel consumption in the segment.
The HYbrid4 diesel hybrid variant, unique in the segment, will continue to be available. The system joins a 163 hp 2.0 litre HDi engine with a 37 hp electric motor coupled to the rear wheels. Both power sources operate either alternately or in tandem.
The Peugeot 508 facelift will be produced at Rennes, France for the European market, and at Wuhan for China. It will be launched in Europe this September, while China will get the car in January 2015. It should be awhile more before it reaches our shores then. So, what do you think of the 508's new face?
Read our review and shootout of the Peugeot 508 vs the Ford Mondeo.
Peugeot 508 Facelift Sedan
Peugeot 508 Facelift SW
Peugeot 508 Facelift RXH
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