Peugeot South Africa has launched the all-new Peugeot 508 sedan, the successor to the French manufacturer’s 407 and 607 models. The new Peugeot 508 marks a new chapter for the Peugeot brand in the premium executive segment. Having made its South African debut at the Johannesburg International Motor Show a few weeks ago, we’ve now had the opportunity to drive the premium sedan around the picturesque Garden Route and have come away impressed in a number of areas.

Peugeot have designed the 508 to appeal to the discerning among us. Classy, exciting, modern and with a dynamic edge, Peugeot hope the 508 will draw attention away from their German, Swedish and Japanese rivals. Up front, the 508 features Peugeot’s new design language, which is characterised by a more laconic grille that resides beneath the leading edge of the bonnet with its newly streamlined Lion emblem. The narrow, triangular headlamps of the 508 are another focal point. Halogen lamps and headlamp washers are standard on all models, apart from the GT which sports sophisticated bi-Xenon, directional, units, with circular LED daytime running lights, auto height adjusters, and high-beam assist. The side profile of the 508 is enhanced by the contours of its chrome-edged windows, while its pronounced character line, that runs between the head- and taillights, confirms the car’s positive self assurance. At the rear, three red rows of LEDs have been inspired by the shape of a lion’s claw and give the 508 a unique signature at night. In addition, two horizontal chrome strips compliment a faux-diffuser which, on the GT model, houses a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts. Overall, the design of the new 508 is far less polarising than that of its 407 or 607 predecessors and results in an elegant and almost bejewelled-like nature.

The Peugeot 508 is available in three levels of trim, namely, ‘Active’, ‘Allure’, and ‘GT’. We sampled the Allure and GT spec cars on launch and found that regardless of spec, the 508 offers a premium feel above expectation. Quality materials and their associated tactile nature give the 508 a welcoming character. The soft-touch dashboard, leather-covered steering wheel and leather seats (on top-spec GT model) are combined with a high-gloss black laquer insert on the centre console and touches of chrome on the fascia, to give the car a sophisticated ambiance. An off-white headliner contrasts against the black dashboard, carpets and door inserts, to brighten the cabin and adds further credence to the car’s class. Together with low NVH levels, the 508′s fit and finish is also excellent, having experienced zero squeaks, creaks or rattles over our two days with the car, which validates Peugeot’s marketing tagline of, “Quality Time”.

Comfort and convenience features include a multi-function steering wheel; cruise-control; rear park distance control; an electrochromic rearview mirror; as well as Bluetooth and USB connectivity as standard equipment across the range, whilst satellite navigation is standard on the GT and optional on the Allure. Also optional on the Allure and standard on the GT is a colour head-up display (HUD), which communicates speed, navigation and cruise control information. The display can be adjusted for position and brightness, although the HUD’s dashboard mounting produced a reflection on the windscreen that took the edge off what is otherwise very pleasant and ergonomic driving position. Heated front seats and a massage function for the driver’s seat, add to the GT’s range-topping status.

At 4 792 mm long and with 1 456 mm between the wheels, the Peugeot 508 offers a generous amount of interior room for all-passengers. Rear passengers also have access to retractable sun blinds that can be raised on the side and rear windows. In addition, the boot area holds 545-litres and features a load-through hatch for longer objects. Passenger safety is aided by the usual Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), as well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC), traction control, oversteer and understeer control, together with a hill assist function. Driver and front passenger airbags, as well as side and curtain airbags, are standard on all 508 models.

With a kerb weight of just 1 400 kg for the entry-level Active model, the 508 is lighter than expected for a car of its size. In combination with the MacPherson strut-type front suspension (12 kilograms lighter than the double wishbone layout employed on the 407) and a multi-link rear setup, the 508 is rather nimble and Peugeot have successfully managed to combine a compliant ride with progressive body control. The 508 took the Outeniqua and Robinson passes in its stride and dispatched the combinations of fast sweeps and tighter switchbacks with confidence and composure. Just how serious Peugeot are about achieving this balance between handling and comfort is evident in the GT, which uses a dual wishbone setup for more precise handling and to counter the additional mass added by the larger diesel engine. The result is very predictable handling over bumps and during enthusiastic cornering. The 508′s stopping power is also worth mentioning, due to the progressive and relatively feelsome character of the brakes – 290 mm discs at the rear, 304 mm at the front, replaced in favour of 340 mm items up front for the GT model.

So what gives this lion of the motoring world its prowess? Well in true French fashion, it’s not so much brawn as it is finesse. The line-up comprises of Peugeot’s popular 115 kW 1.6-litre THP petrol unit, 120 kW 2.0-litre HDi turbodiesel engine and for the flagship GT, a new 2.2-litre HDi engine credited with 150 kW and 450 Nm of torque.

On paper the 1.6 THP may not sound too encouraging, but the real-world performance is pleasantly surprising. Mated to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, the engine responds well and delivers a surprising turn of speed when coaxed, yet according to Peugeot, is also capable of returning 7.1 L/100km in the two-pedal Allure model we sampled at launch – when linked to the manual ‘box this figure drops to 6.4 L/100km. The ratios of the 6-speed auto could potentially be better spread, with almost 1 250 r/min difference between the 3rd and 4th cogs, however, as things are, the engine is admirably quiet and frugal.

The high-power 2.2-litre diesel packs the biggest punch and pulls over a wider rev range than the 2 000 – 2 750 r/min stated on the car’s data sheet. A variable-geometry turbocharger, with a titanium impeller, hard-coated gudgeon pins and rings, all serve to lower inertia and friction within the engine, ultimately contributing to a claimed overall consumption figure of just 5.7 L/100km. Top speed of the flagship 508 GT is 232 km/h and the benchmark 0 – 100 km/h sprint is dealt with in a prompt 8.2 seconds – figures that are enough to scare pricier rivals like the new Jaguar XF 2.2D.

Peugeot have achieved a balance of performance, practicality, refinement, sophistication and economy that usually sees German’s ‘Big-Three’ come to mind. All the more impressive then, is the recognition by the Germans themselves of the 508′s stature amongst its executive saloon counterparts, having been awarded the 2010 Auto Trophy title, as judged by over 103 000 ‘Auto Zeitung’ readers from 400 models. Peugeot SA’s biggest challenge, however, is convincing the buying public that the brand’s previous shortcomings are behind them, soothed by their 3-year/100 000 km warranty, 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan, 20 000 km service intervals and the promise of comprehensive parts availability, improved customer service and expansion of the dealer network within the next 12-months.