Just a day after the updated Peugeot 508 was leaked online, the French brand has taken the wraps off its flagship fastback and wagon.
As revealed on Instagram the other day, the facelifted 508 features a new front end design that brings it into line with models like the new 308 and 408 and updated 3008 and 5008.
“Following the global reveal of the next iteration of 508, anticipated launch details for the Australian market will be confirmed in due course,” said a spokesperson for Peugeot Australia.
There’s a bold new grille that blends into the rest of the front bumper, as well as a set of thinner headlights, each with new daytime running lights that resemble three claw marks, presumably from a lion.
In Europe, matrix LED lighting is now standard throughout the 508 range.
In the centre of the grille is Peugeot’s new lion shield. While the 508 name above the grille is retained, the typeface has been italicised and given a more modern look.
At the rear, the differences are more subtle. The tail-light graphics have been updated with scrolling indicators, and three-claw lighting strips that are more horizontal than before.
The lion badge that used to reside in the black plastic strip has been replaced by the Peugeot word mark.
There are three new exterior colour available: Okenite White, Eclipse Blue, and Titanium Grey. Four paint options are carried: Selenium Grey, Artense Grey, Elixir Red, and Perla Nera Black. Some trim lines also gain the new diamond-pattern 18-inch Epherra wheel design.
Step inside, and there are changes, but you’ll need to look carefully to see them. The split-level i-Cockpit dashboard and piano key-style buttons are all carried over.
The 10.0-inch central touchscreen now runs Peugeot’s latest i-Connect Advanced infotainment operating system, which includes internet connected navigation, natural language voice recognition, wireless smartphone mirroring, two simultaneous active Bluetooth connections, and over-the-air updates.
There are two USB-C ports for those in front seats, and two USB-A ports for those sitting in the rear.
Peugeot’s new lion logo lives in the centre of the steering wheel, and can also embossed on the front headrests.
In the centre tunnel, Peugeot has deleted the oversized handbrake-style gear selector, and replaced it with a small column of buttons.
In Europe, buyers will be able to choose between three plug-in hybrid options. The new entry-level 180 e-EAT8 variant pairs a 110kW 1.6-litre petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor built into the eight-speed automatic transmission.
The step-up 225 e-EAT8 PHEV variant has a more powerful 132kW version of the same engine.
At the top of the pile is the Peugeot Sport Engineered (PSE) model, which uses a 360 e-EAT8 drivetrain with a 147kW engine, the same 81kW electrified gearbox for the front axle, and an 83kW electric motor for the rear wheels.
All three PHEVs use a 12.4kWh battery pack, but only the PSE comes with a 7.4kW on-board charger as standard. The two lower-spec models are equipped with a 3.7kW single-phase charger.
Just three pure internal combustion engine options will offered, a 97kW 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 97kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, and a 163kW 2.0-litre petrol aimed at non-European markets. All three pure ICE options have an eight-speed auto.
Unlike smaller Peugeot models, the 508 rides on an older architecture, and is not available with an all-electric drivetrain.
Sales of the updated 508 begin in Europe at the start of the third quarter of 2023.
MORE: Everything Peugeot 508
