Peugeot has been known in the past for some really engaging sporty models but it doesn’t plan on rolling out any more, instead focusing on electric vehicles (EVs).
Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson told Top Gear the brand has no plans to introduce additional Peugeot Sport Engineered models to join the high-performance plug-in hybrid 508 PSE, which remains off the table for Australia.
“Right now, we’ve stopped at the 508,” Ms Jackson told Top Gear.
“It gives us the ability to have a flagship and be able to make the link [between road and racing].
“Who knows what might happen in the future, but right now to be honest with you my biggest priority is to launch electric vehicles. I never say no to the future, but that’s my focus right now.”
With Peugeot focusing on electric vehicles and the PSE nameplate already applied to a plug-in hybrid, it seems a logical move would be to introduce a high-output EV with the PSE name.
However, Ms Jackson wouldn’t commit to such a move, telling Top Gear, “I’m not promising yes and I’m not promising no”.
“But we have to see where it goes. Right now, I need to make sure that I prioritise where my volume and profit opportunities are because this is all about that business, and let’s be honest 508 PSE is a great image-maker, but it’s a limited segment. We have to find the right opportunities.
“Who knows what will happen, but there’s no doubt if we were to do something in the future it would obviously have to be integrated into our electrification strategy. But we have no plans at the moment.”
Locally it looks like Australia will continue to miss out on the 508 PSE, with Peugeot Citroen Australia managing director Kate Gillis confirming last year it’s not currently on the cards.
“The PSE is fairly limited in the number in production, so right now we’re not considering it for this market but if ever there comes a time when we can, we definitely will,” said Ms Gillis.
“But it certainly won’t be here in the short-term.”
The PSE fastback and wagon feature a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain with total system outputs of 268kW of power and 520Nm of torque, good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds.
There’s an electric motor on each axle, giving the PSE all-wheel drive, and an 11.5kWh lithium-ion battery under the boot floor.
Claimed electric range is 42km.
The Sport Engineered also features three-mode dampers, a wider track than the standard 508 (24mm front and 12mm rear), 380mm front brakes with four-piston calipers, and 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, as well as various sporty aesthetic tweaks inside and out.
The 508 line-up in Australia currently consists of the front-wheel drive GT fastback, available with either petrol or plug-in hybrid powertrains, and the petrol-powered GT Sportswagon. A plug-in hybrid version of the load-carrier is coming this year.
To the end of June, Peugeot has sold just 53 examples of its 508 range. That has seen it tied with the Jaguar XE, and bookended by the Genesis G70 (48) and Volvo S60 (70).
MORE: Everything Peugeot 508
