It is a given that the Peugeot 508 is a very handsome car. The classic car shape has being losing market share to the rise of SUVs but when you drive one you always end up asking why! We’re testing the tax band A1 (€170) 508 Hybrid, the greenest version yet. With a combined output of 225hp the Hybrid is powerful too yet is some 40% more fuel efficient than its combustion versions.
The 508 fastback saloon and 508 SW estate (150mm longer) now come with a PHEV plug in hybrid option. Our first 508 test drive will give you a lot of general info on the model: http://motorhub.ie/peugeot-508-review/
With an emissions figure of 29g CO/2 (30g SW) the 508 Hybrid is extremely efficient. Under the bonnet is a 180hp petrol engine and a 110hp electric motor. The motor gets its power from a 11.8kWh rechargeable battery pack that is positioned under the rear seats. The battery pack is roughly a quarter the size of ones used in electric car’s and it gets its power from being plugged in to an electric charge point (home or public). It can also get a charge from the usual on board methods: regenerative braking, using the ‘B’ position on the gear selector and by using the ‘e-SAVE’ function that lets you select an electric energy reserve of 10km, 20km or maximum. This function is ideal if you are driving to a zero or low emissions area and want to ensure you have sufficient electric only range when you get there.
A full from empty battery charge at a 7kW home charger (Type 2 plug) takes circa 1h45m if you opt for the €390 7kW monophase on board charger upgrade. This quicker on board charger would make sense for a user who would do high mileage and use public chargers more frequently – other wise the standard charger is perfectly adequate for domestic overnight charging. You can also charge with a domestic three pin plug and this takes roughly 5 hours. In electric mode the car can drive up to 54km (52km SW) without the petrol engine. PHEVs really are the best stop gap to full EV motoring that as we all know is not quite ready for mass adoption. Fuel consumption is quoted at 1.3 litres per 100km or 217mpg! Of course to get this figure you have charge the battery and not just run the car as a petrol only machine.
On the road the 508 Hybrid is a smooth drive. The new 8-speed automatic (e-EAT8) can run in electric only mode alone at speeds up to 135km/h. In truth the 508 as a car is so well insulated that you’d be hard pressed to hear whether the engine was running or not. Beside the gear selector there is a rocker button with three selectable drive modes: Sport, Hybrid, Comfort and Zero emissions. Sport harnesses the petrol engine and electric motor to deliver maximum power to the driven front wheels. Hybrid as the name implies uses a mix to deliver efficient motoring while Comfort mode… well its obviously the most relaxing way to use the car. Full electric driving can happen in all these modes depending on the battery level and the demand on power through the accelerator or cruise control. You can also select zero emissions electric only mode (battery power dependent).
The Hybrid is built on the same EMP2 platform as the 508 (and many other models) and there is no compromise on cabin space. The Hybrid’s boot remains the same size as petrol and diesel too at 487 litres or 1537 litres with the rear seats down (530/1780 litres SW). The 508 range starts from €31,570 and the 508 PHEV retails from €38,895 (Allure trim, plus delivery but inclusive of VRT relief and the SEAI grant). 508 Hybrid trim levels are comprehensive and there is no Active entry point grade just Allure, GT Line (from €41,895) and GT trim (from €46,395). SW pricing is: €40,495 (Allure), €43,495 (GT Line) and €47,995 for the GT. Full LED headlights + 3D LED rear lights are standard on the GT Line and GT and a cost option on the Allure at €1,170. Company user can also enjoy a reduced BIK tax rate compared to the petrol and diesel powered 508s as the the Hybrid attracts a 10% rate.
