I have currently tasted the Peugeot 508 for the second time. Could it be said that its charm is irresistible? Yes, I'd say he can't. However, quite frankly, I wanted to test this car in a different specification than the one originally tested. My first meeting with this car took place at the beginning of March, when the tested piece had the basic ACTIVE equipment, with the presence of a diesel turbocharged engine with an output of 160 horsepower, which was supported by an eight-speed automatic.
However, I currently got my hands on a variant with the highest GT equipment, a turbocharged petrol 16 and again an eight-speed automatic.
Sleek "ghetto"
The Peugeot 508, a liftback carrying the elements of a four-door coupe, simply succeeded. It impresses with a very low silhouette of the body, which is equipped with a slight "fastback" slope of the roof, which not only gives the rear part a great twist. The car has a low silhouette, and the impression of a four-door coupe is completed by the frameless glazing of the side doors.
The new "five-five" is a car that will turn many a passerby behind. And not only thanks to the pleasing external proportions, but also thanks to the interesting concept of the front part. Its distinctive light "fangs" of the daytime running lights give the car originality and ferocity. There is also a very low side silhouette and an elegant and horizontally oriented rear. The horizontal proportions of this part are then supported by a black bar that connects the same colored rear lamps, which also have a very interesting light signature.
The tested "getéčko" then stood on nineteen-inch discs, which were shod with low-profile tires of dimensions 235/40. Compared to the originally tested piece equipped with ACTIVE equipment, you will therefore appreciate the 100% light "tusks" motif, which is not (quite illogically) replaced by a chrome strip and also really decent shoes.
The Peugeot 508 is a beautiful car even in its basic design, the GT equipment subsequently moves it to where each of us definitely wants to have it.
The old familiar i-Cockpit
The i-Cockpit principle, together with the proportions of the Peugeot 508 interior, fits perfectly. The horizontality of the entire dashboard speaks perfectly with this principle. The interior design and the materials used in the car are at a very high level.
The sporty character of the car results in a low seating position, the dashboard and the raised central panel surround you pleasantly. A double-sided flattened multifunctional steering wheel with a GT plaque is also a matter of course.
After two consecutive test cars applying the i-Cockpit principle, I am currently testing a classic concept car. And let me tell you, I suddenly feel like the helmsman of an ocean liner. I-Cockpit is simply different and quite addictive.
The fully digital display in the instrument cluster in front of the driver is certainly worthy of praise. It displays data in very good graphics, and one of the modes includes classic speedometer and tachometer indicators (quite a rare phenomenon after the last tested DS and C5 Aircross ). The tachometer then points in the opposite direction, but you get used to it very quickly.
On the next level of the dashboard, which, like the upper one, elegantly follows the door panels, sits the on-board infotainment display. It is effectively bitten into the dashboard. In its lower part there is an effective keyboard with individual controls. As is the case with cars of this brand, many elements of the car are controlled via the touch screen, which results in a rather positive minimization of individual controls in the car. Under the keyboard there are other controllers that do not have classic buttons, but are only touch-sensitive. So a very effective and minimalistic solution.
The already mentioned massive and inclined central panel is connected to the dashboard, which is equipped with an automatic transmission selector, a driving mode selector, a start button or an electronic handbrake, and in the next part, a storage box and drink holders. Tilting the panel has made it possible to create another storage space, which is under the panel and allows to put away a mobile phone with a wireless charging function.
The sporty line of the body quite logically also affected the interior spaciousness of the car. The sporty character of the car also brought with it a low roof, which, mainly in the rear, makes getting into the car a little uncomfortable. However, once you slide in, it seems like you've won. The low seating position allows quite a lot of headroom. The tested GT equipment then offers, for example, massage seats with a multi-point function for the front positions, or an excellent Hi-Fi Premium FOCAL audio system.
The luggage compartment has a volume of 487 liters and, thanks to the liftback design of the body, it also offers very decent access.
The sporty spirit of gasoline motorization
The tested piece was powered by the already mentioned turbocharged 16-litre petrol engine. This unit has an output of 165 kW, i.e. 225 horses and a torque of 300 Nm. As a result, its running is very quiet, refined and without any hint of overcharging. In conjunction with the excellent eight-speed automatic, it provides a very linear pull. Traditionally, the gradation of the automatic, which revs the engine slightly above two thousand at highway speed, should be praised.
In the context of the previously tested turbocharged two-liter BlueHDI , the gasoline power unit is clearly more suited to the very character of the car. Its dark side, compared to diesel motorization, is its certain gluttony. As part of the editorial test, my consumption was around 8.5 liters. Here, the scale pans are clearly the most unbalanced in comparison of both engines. The diesel engine also has decent power (130 kW and 400 Nm of torque in the GT version). However, it can drive under 6 liters of diesel per 100 km.
The Peugeot 508 GT will also offer individual driving modes. From classic ECO, through COMFORT, NORMAL to SPORT. Sport mode sharpens the car's response to the gas pedal, stiffens the chassis, softens the effectiveness of the power steering, and the transmission revs the engine in which you are rewarded with a pleasant "real" sound response. The chassis of the car is very confident, but the low-profile shoes inform you quite noticeably about the state of Czech roads.
In conclusion
The 508 starts at a price of CZK 730,000 including VAT in the basic Active configuration with a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The currently tested car, which had the highest GT equipment, a turbocharged petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic, can be purchased from CZK 1,055,000 including VAT.
The Peugeot 508 is definitely a great car that offers a very attractive and original design, both in terms of exterior and interior. I liked it very much, I would even enjoy owning it. And if I could choose, I would choose this tested specification.
