Peugeot 508 Allure and GT 2011 review

Peugeot's new 508 replaces not one but two models _ the 407 and larger 607 which has been around for years.

It's a more conservatively styled car, right down to the badge which now floats on the bonnet and no longer the main focus of attention.

The French car maker hopes the new look will have a longer shelf-life than the confronting, "frog-mouthed" look epitomised by models like the 308 and 407.

Explore the 2011 Peugeot 508 range

• Peugeot 508 Allure and GT 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 Touring 2.0 Allure 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 GT diesel 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 GT 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 Allure Touring 2011 review
• Peugeot 508 2011 review: road test

DESIGN

Available as a sedan or wagon, there's no word yet whether there will be a coupe but the two-door SR1 concept car shown last year strongly suggests so.

Just to confuse matters, there is in fact a 408 but it's a 308 sedan with a longer wheelbase that is also coming here.

The 508 shares the same platform and power trains as the gorgeous Citroen C5 with which it shares a production line in Rennes, France.

It's 116mm longer than a 407 and 110mm shorter than the 607 sedan, but actually has a longer wheelbase than either.

It's also 77kg lighter than a 407 and the longer wheelbase translates to 53mm more legroom. Of perhaps more interest is the expected arrival in May next year of a hybrid, jacked-up, all-wheel drive version of the 508 wagon called the HyBrid4.

TECHNOLOGY

It will be powered by a combination of diesel and electric motors, with a diesel engine at the front driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear axle down the back. Peugeot claims it is a solution that breaks new ground in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The 508 will be available initially with a choice of 2.0 or 2.2-litre turbo diesel engines, with a 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine and super economical 1.6-litre turbo diesel to follow. The 150kW/450Nm 2.2 -litre engine produces the same amount of power but slightly more torque than the twin-turbo 2.7 litre V6 that it replaces.

The 2.0-litre delivers 120kW/340Nm and fuel economy for both engines is a claimed 5.7 litres/100km.

In future all Peugeots will be offered in a choice of three grades _ Access, Active and Allure. The 508 gets the ball rolling, with a sedan in mid-spec Active and top spec Allure grades. The Touring station wagon is offered in top spec Allure only .

Over and above these models sits the top of the line GT sedan, powered exclusively by the 150kW 2.2-litre diesel.

Described as more of a driver's car, it features a different front suspension setup. But, it's no sports sedan _ think relaxed tourer.

All models are fitted with a six-speed Japanese Aisin transmission that allows the driver to change gears manually.

VALUE

Peugeot is pitching the car against the new VW Passat.

Priced from $36,990, it's $1000 less than the Passat but has a number of advantages including fixed price $330 servicing each year for three years or 60,000km.

DRIVING

We drove the 2.0-litre Allure sedan and 2.2-litre GT sedan at the launch of the car in Victoria's Yarra Valley this week.

It's a handsome thing, with flowing lines suggesting a touch of Jaguar's XF and BMW 6 series around the boot line.

Fit and finish are good but the first thing we noticed was how quiet both models are inside, despite the rattler up front.

Both exhibited plenty of grip on damp winding roads, with finely tuned stability control that is not intrusive.

The GT feels quantifiably more communicative and responsive to the wheel thanks to its lightweight double wishbone front suspension.

With its looks, price and performance Peugeot could have a winner on its hands.