Peugeot 508 GT has arrived. The 508 GT is an all new vehicle that boasts excellent technology and drivetrains plus stunning design.
All-new 508 is available with one engine/transmission choice and two body styles. The sleek Fastback and elegant Sportswagon. Priced from $53,990* and $55,990* respectively and exterior colour choice and an opening panoramic sunroof the only options.
Exterior
Stunning design is the first though that comes to mind. Both variants are elegant and sleek. It has won many design awards around the globe and it’s easy to see why. The Sportswagon may just be the most elegant on the market right now.
The exterior features include: full LED headlights, GT Sports styling kit, GT ‘equaliser’ grille with chequerboard motif, LED three-claw tail lights with unlock animation and 18” machined and black-finish alloy wheels.
Interior
Like the exterior, the interior exudes elegance and style. The Nappa Leather seats are extremely comfortable, with electronic adjustment for both front occupants. Both can also luxuriate in heated seats and a unique feature and a most welcome one, a multi choice massage function.
I have that running all the time when in the 508 GT.
There are also other little comfort touches throughout that make the 508 GT a premium offering.
The dash is the unusual Peugeot i-Cockpit design that tends to polarise people. I don’t mind it, I especially like the steering wheel, but it can cover some of the instrument panel with the top rim at times.
The ergonomics and comfort for the driver and passengers are first class. With a configurable instrument panel and intuitive touch on the centre screen. One thing I took a little getting used to, was the transmission lever. It’s beautiful, just a little different.
Rear passengers aren’t forgotten. There is adequate knee room, typical for the segment, but the seats are again first class. The Sportswagon seatback tilts to 27 degrees and has an extra 4cm of headroom compared to the Fastback.
Access to the back seat is easy thanks to the wide-opening, frameless rear doors which also incorporate the quarter-glass. Passenger compartment lighting includes individual touch-operated LED reading lights embedded in the headlining. Boot space in the Fastback is huge and cavernous in the Sportswagon
Features
508 GT comes fully equipped and features include:
- FOCAL 10-speaker premium audio
- Latest-generation Peugeot i-Cockpit
- 10” high definition centre screen
- 12.3” digital head-up instrument cluster
- Carbon-effect interior trim
- Smart key entry
- Electric tailgate with gesture control
- Qi wireless phone charging
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Optional equipment is limited to an opening panoramic sunroof ($2,500) and a choice of six metallic and two pearlescent paint colours ($590 and $1050 respectively). Hurricane Grey is a no-cost option.
Drive and Engine
The GT is the only model powered by an all-new, high-output version of Peugeot’s 1.6L, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine developing power of 165 Kw @ 5500 rpm and torque of 300 Nm @ 2750 rpm. This drives the front wheels through an all-new Aisin eight-speed automatic transmission.
Acceleration from a standstill is modest with a 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds (8.2 seconds for Sportwagon), however when on the move the engine really hums along. Fuel economy is rated at ADR combined cycle 6.3 L/100K.
i-Cockpit® Amplify also controls the car’s driving performance. ECO, Sport, Comfort and Normal modes are set with the driving mode selector set for ECO, Sport, Comfort or Normal modes. The electronic suspension’s selectable damping is also altered depending on the driving mode choice.
The 508 GT was a delight to drive. Apart from bottoming out on some potholes in these things we call roads, the adaptive suspension was compliant and smooth complimented by a sporty ride. The ability to dial in what type of ride/handling you want is a bonus.
It actually fits the bill for a GT ie a Grand Tourer that allows the occupants to cover many kilometres in comfort and ease. If only it had more power.
Safety
Peugeot 508 GT comes with a five star ANCAP safety rating and in addition to the usual safety features the highlights are
- Highway Positioning Assist [segment first]
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Advanced Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Active Blind Spot Monitoring System
- Pre-Collision Warning System
- Advanced Driver Attention Alert
- Auto-dimming exterior side mirrors
- Four-mode adaptive suspension
Good Bits
- Stunning design
- Open road cruising
- Cavernous Sportswagon
Not So Good Bits
- Would like more power
- Steering wheel can intrude on dash
- Doesn’t like deep potholes
Summary
Peugeot’s 508 GT is an excellent vehicle in an unfortunately shrinking segment of the market. The sportswagon should be the bigger seller of the two, but the fastback is also really appealing.
When looking for words to summarise the 508, it’s hard to go past some of the marketing blurb from Peugeot.
Compared to its predecessor the all-new 508 is lighter, lower and shorter yet offers greater interior space, more technology, a significantly more powerful engine and vastly improved fuel economy, not to mention substantially more design presence on the road.
All-new Peugeot 508 comes with Peugeot’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year Service Price Promise program.
Also Look At
Facts and Figures: 2019 Peugeot 508 GT
- Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder turbo petrol producing 165kW/300Nm
- Transmission: Eight-speed sports automatic
- Warranty: 5 Year7/ unlimited km 5 Yr. Roadside Assist
- Safety: Five stars
- Origin: France
- Price: from $53,990* for the Fastback and $55,990* for the Sportswagon
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.