PEUGEOT will unveil the high-performance 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept at the Geneva International Motor Show as the brand’s electrification strategy gathers pace.
The PEUGEOT SPORT team confirmed plans to develop a range of high performance electric vehicles last year and the new concept car is the first step on the journey towards electrification.
The experts at PEUGEOT SPORT took the all-new 508 Hybrid as a starting point and enhanced its design, performance and efficiency. With an advanced PureTech 200 engine and 110bhp electric motor driving the front wheels and a separate 150kW (200bhp) electric motor powering the rear wheels, the four-wheel drive 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and hit a mechanically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
This electric performance is underpinned by an 11.8kWh battery, which gives the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept a zero-emission range of up to 31 miles (50 km) when switched to 100% electric mode and CO2 emissions of 49g/km, on the WLTP test protocols, when in Hybrid mode.
When the concept car makes its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show, its redesigned front bumper, which incorporates a 3D-printed valance designed to direct incoming air towards the radiator and new rear diffuser, are just some of the exterior enhancements. The 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept car has enhanced aerodynamics, with flaps fitted to the subframes to reduce aerodynamic drag and streamlined winglets located on the quarter panels, where GT Line and GT monograms usually reside. This helps to smooth the flow of air.
Adding to the car’s character, the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept comes with a specially designed ‘Selenium Grey’ paint finish which changes in the light and carbon fibre door mirrors, while the iconic Lion badge features the distinctive anodised finish first seen on the PEUGEOT e-LEGEND concept car.
To maximise driving pleasure, the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept comes fitted with new “comfort fit” seats created with leather and Alcantara® upholstery with Kryptonite and Onyx Black overstitching enhancing the bold design.
Inside, the concept car is designed to maximise comfort and efficiency with a touch-sensitive gear lever fitted with an Alcantara® section and a sporty asymmetrical compact steering wheel covered in Alcantara® and carbon fibre inserts. The lower section of the compact steering wheel brings the design cues of the concept model straight to the driver’s fingertips with three PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED lines alternating in Kryptonite and Onyx Black overstitching.
The Alcantara® design continues through to the roof, A-pillars and quarter panels, providing excellent visibility augmented by the innovative PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, which gives drivers intuitive access to the latest on-board technology. The cabin comes fitted with Kryptonite finishing around the door handles and dashboard, along with an all Kryptonite 10” capacitive HD touch screen and 12.3” head-up digital instrument display panel.
The innovative concept car marks the beginning of an important year for PEUGEOT, as it begins making the transition towards a fully electrified range. PEUGEOT has committed to providing an electrified version across its entire range by 2023, with the first commercial Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model set to arrive later this year.
With a rich sporting heritage including the 908 HDI FAP and 3008 DKR, which triumphed in the Le Mans 24-hour race and Dakar Rally respectively, PEUGEOT SPORT is able to tap into a legacy of proven performance cars to inspire the engineering behind the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED concept.
Jean-Philippe Imparato, PEUGEOT Brand CEO, said: “Electrification provides a marvellous opportunity to develop new driving sensations. We are creating a “neo-performance”, new energy sources, new features, new territories, new challenges….sheer pleasure for only 49g of CO2/km.”
David Peel, Managing Director of PEUGEOT UK, said: “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 is 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.”
