2011 Peugeot 508 Reviews

The Peugeot 508 arrived in Australia in July 2011 and replaced two cars, the Peugeot 407 and 607. Clever engineering means the 508 has less mass than the significantly smaller Peugeot 407 and is well under the weight of the 607. Not all 508 models arrived simultaneously, rather they dribbled in over the next 12 months

Peugeot has more recently been best known for its smaller cars - 207, 308 et al - with some SUVs as an aside, but the larger end of the portfolio has long been underdone. The 407 soldiered on, the 607 fell well short of expectations and now finally the 508 is here. Bigger and to many eyes not as pretty as the 407, it's striking and has presence, but the feline grace of some of its forebears seems lacking.VALUEWe're not shopping in the bargain basement at $52,990 but the biggest passenger Pug has no shortage of gear - there's quad-zone filtered climate control, sunblinds for the rear and rear-side windows, parking sensors front and rear, hill-start assist, an electric parking brake, reach and rake adjustable steering, an alarm, folding and heated exterior rearvision mirrors, and an auto-dipping rear view mirror.The GT also gets the little head up display screen with colour output, keyless entry and go, cruise control with speed limiter function, satellite navigation, a top-quality eight-speaker sound system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, controlled via the slightly busy leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18in alloy wheels, but it's not all standard. Leather seats with position memory is an extra $2500, or there are two satnav options - nav and the head-up display alone are $1500, or those two features with the sound system upgrade add up to $2300.TECHNOLOGYTop of the list is the high-pressure common-rail direct injection turbodiesel engine, which shrinks to 2.2 from the outgoing 2.7 litre V6, but gains 10Nm and improves fuel consumption by 33 per cent - 8.4 down to 5.7 litres per 100km. Peugeot says the use of lightweight and low-friction engine and turbo components - including a titanium turbocharger impeller and piezo injectors - has helped reduce fuel use.The 508 GT car also has a double-wishbone front-end (instead of the MacPherson strut for the rest of the range) which the company claims improves the steering and overall dynamics.DESIGNThis is a big car - 92mm longer in the wheelbase than its predecessor - and for some it's a like and others are more in the "yikes" camp when it comes to the looks. Certainly striking, the 508 sedan has a sculpted shoulder line that extends through the snout, which carries the new-look family resemblance. The rear is squared-off and almost abrupt by comparison, with tail lights in LED form to stand out.It's cabin is more conventional, with more than enough room for four adults - at 190-odd cm I was able to sit behind my own driving position, which is a good indication of enough head and leg room. Seating is comfortable, if not overly-endowed with lateral support - but there are heaters for the front pews and the driver gets a massage, so there's compensation. The dashboard, centre stack and steering wheel are all a little busier than is ideal, due the long list of features - although no standard satnav is a bit cheeky in a car over fifty-thousand.SAFETYThe 508 has a European New Car Assessment Program rating of five stars, with six airbags and stability control, emergency brake assist and brakeforce distribution as well as pretensioning and load-limiting front seatbelts and load-limiting outer rear seatbelts (all seatbelts are lap-sash). The 508 has the clever electric rear child-safety lock (for the doors and windows) allowing parental control with one touch.Faster reacting LED tail-lights, automatic adaptive bi-xenon headlights and rain-sensing wipers, front and rear fog lights, tyre pressure sensors and daytime running lights.DRIVEGetting to grips with the new Pug, the first challenge is negotiating a busy centre stack - it's got plenty of gear, but the top-spec GT's myriad buttons and menus aren't always the easiest to decipher. It's French. Mon Dieu.The GT-only front end does give it a willing nose for corners and the body is well-controlled, but anyone looking for more compliant ride quality will have to forgo the sportier front-end, as well as losing out on the frugal diesel, which claims a combined figure of 5.7 l/100km and gets single-digit averages in the real world. You're not left in any doubt about fuel requirements but it's not harsh and at cruising speeds it is far less audible, the payoff coming from in-gear acceleration on part-throttle - 450Nm is a solid chunk from a little powerplant.The six-speed auto works well enough with the engine, although the gated shift is not as easy to use as some. The GT's driver's seat has power-adjustment, heating and a massager, so there's no need to stress in the traffic - cool breeze from the quad-zone climate control, warmer loosening up the back and who cares about being late for work? Rear headroom isn't cavernous but there's enough lower-limb space for my 190-odd cm frame to sit behind a similarly sized driver.The sound system has USB and Bluetooth connectivity, although when running an iPhone's music player (on a USB cable or via Bluetooth) the delay from dash button to track change often meant two or three were skipped. The telephone side suffered none of these issues and easy enough to use through the car's infotainment system. The satnav is clear and relatively easy to use, as was the centre trip computer display - unlike many cars with such screens, the Pug had a speed readout, which was a good back-up to the head-up display screen that flips into place on start-up.The boot (which has no button on the bootlid that I could find) is not that deep but useful at 497 litres - if there was a full-size spare it would be too shallow, so the 508 makes do with a space-saver. Something the bulk of French cars are doing well is the rear child locks, a simple button that does door locks and windows, leaving the driver in control - too many window lock buttons remove all control and don't leave the driver's switches in play.VERDICTSome will love the looks, others will just be pleased to have an alternative to the Germans who dominate the compact prestige market, but the Gallic lion finally has something to roar about again. Well-equipped but not as engaging as perhaps it could have been, it's a welcome and positive step back into the market for Peugeot - with a model that is worthy of genuine consideration.RATING

Peugeot's new medium-large wagon is a pretty good place to be, once you've come to realise a European does not have to be a pin-sharp sportster.The French automaker has got it spot-on by naming the wagon "Touring" and it should well satisfy owners and drivers who want some Euro prestige with lots of tech and toys, a stylish lifestyle vehicle, comfort and safety for (whisper it) less than 50 grand.So far in Australia, there's only one version of the 508 wagon - having a turbo-diesel engine and equipped to Allure trim level. A 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine (115kW/240Nm) is on the way.VALUEAt $45,990 the 4.8m Peugeot 508 Touring has few direct rivals, the obvious being the VW Passat Highline diesel. The Passat's lesser-known cousin, the Skoda Superb, is $2000 less and the fellow French Citroen C5 Tourer is $49,990.Which means the Peugeot is priced well under the luxury Swedish and German marques for this type of vehicle. If you're prepared to do away with the Euro image and some of the gadgets, diesel motoring can be found in a Mazda6 wagon for $36,250.This Peugeot 508 Touring stands up in the value equation: keyless entry and start, front and rear park assist, electric park brake and hill assist, eight-speaker sound, Bluetooth and USB, quad-zone climate control, power front seats and leather trim. A capped service program at $990 for the first three years/60,000km is offered.DESIGNPerhaps the most stylish Peugeot wagon ever seen. It's fresh, sleek, elegant yet has more space than the predecessor 407 wagon. The wagon space is large (612 litres with rear seat up).There's a ski port, the rear seat folds flat 60, 40 or all with the flick of levers by the tailgate, it has chromed tie-down hooks plus two upper hooks, elastic side straps and a cargo blind. There's a wide rear bumper to reach over but the load height is reasonable.Points lost for tiny glovebox and centre console bin sizes. A feature is the full length panoramic glass roof, which can be covered to various stages by a horizontal electric blind. Rear side windows have roll-up sunscreens/privacy blinds.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is what you'd expect from a Euro, which means quite OK. The 120kW of power and 340Nm of torque is par for a two-litre turbo-diesel. It feeds to a six-speed automatic transmission that has a sequential manual control with paddles behind the steering wheel and a Sport setting. Official diesel consumption is 5.7 litres/100km. We saw as low as 6.2 thanks to a country drive but ended with 6.6 in mostly gentle throttle use: it's warming to see 538km covered and still 520km to go on the tripcomputer (tank is 72 litres).Peugeot boasts of good aerodynamics and the 1544kg weight is commendably low for this size diesel wagon, aided by an aluminium bonnet. The tailgate has assisted opening and electric closing. SAFETY Six airbags, all the acronyms for braking, collapsible steering column and brake pedal, three rear child seat restraint anchorage points, flexible cargo net and five-star ANCAP crash test score should assure buyers.DRIVEKeyless entry and start is not just a party trick but very practical. The power seat has plenty of adjustment although, as is the way with many modern cars, the driver must peer around the A-pillar at intersections. Rear seat passengers get comfort and separate vent controls (and love the full glass roof).The flat-bottom steering wheel is leather-clad but the driver lacks direct feel with the road. Yes, it safely gets around corners but this wagon is no sports car. Notably, the GT sedan version gets a different front suspension. Slip the auto shifter across to the S setting and the car becomes more willing (0-100km/h in 9.5sec) and even in normal D mode the paddle shift can be used to invoke engine braking down a hill.Engine noise is well suppressed. Passengers might never know it's a diesel - unless a window is down at cold start-up. But tyre roar and road noise are there, although we drove a Touring with lower, 45-profile tyres on optional 18in instead of 17in standard rims. It's not the only Euro car to let you know you're on a coarse Aussie road surface.VERDICTThe real plus in this stylish wagon is to enjoy the comfort, the fair value and space plus the prestige of a Euro car badge. Don't expect it to be a German-like sportster wagon in nimble handing and steering. But do cash in on the diesel engine's frugality and range. This Touring is a good tourer.

The 508 replaces two models for Peugeot — the 407 and long in the tooth 607.There's a sedan and touring wagon as well as the upmarket GT (also a sedan). The confronting "frog mouth" grille has been discarded in favour of a more conservative look this time around.The idea is that the car will appeal to a wider range of people and hopefully have a longer shelf life. But, just to confuse matters, there is in fact a new 408 model but it's actually a stretched version of the 308 sedan — and it's coming here too.VALUENice package. Looks the goods. Plenty of prestige. Diesel economy and plenty of kit from the French car that seems to be getting back on track. To an already extensive equipment list, the GT adds head up display, 18 inch alloys, directional bi-xenon lights, automatic high beam and memory settings for the driver's seat. Note however the trim is a combination of cloth and leather rather than full leather.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.2-litre 150kW/450Nm engine produces the same amount of power but slightly more torque than the twin-turbo 2.7 litre V6 diesel that it replaces.The coloured head-up display is projected on to a small screen which sits on top of the dash rather than on the windscreen itself. There's four-zone climate airconditioning with rear controls, automatic high beam, hands-free entry and keyless start, automatic electric parking brake, drivers electrically-operated lumbar and a JBL audio system.The parking sensor system also includes a features that determines whether a parking is large enough to accommodate the car. Also comes with Bluetooth and full iPod connectivity.DESIGNThe 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 about 77kg lighter than a 407 and the longer wheelbase translates to 53mm more legroom.Peugeot claims benchmark acoustics for this car and we're inclined to agree. This has to have one of the quietest interiors that we've driven outside of a top end Lexus.Contributing to the result are is an acoustic front windscreen to filter noise from outside, hydro-elastic suspension mounts to reduce noise and vibration coming from the road and an active damper on the front axle to reduce engine vibration.SAFETYComes a five-star safety rating and all the gear, including six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes. The bi-xenon lights swivel when cornerning and a camera monitors the surrounds switching on high beam as soon as possible at night.DRIVINGForget the letters GT. They're a bit of a furphy and Peugeot may have been a bit ambitious. When most people think GT they associate the term with fast, expensive sports cars. The 508 is not. It does however offer an easy, relaxed driving experience true to the strict definition of the term, being a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving.The dash from 0-100km/h takes 8.2 seconds and with a 72-litre fuel tank it's good for a low 5.7 litres/100km. Apart from the extra power of the larger engine, you can actually feel the difference in the suspension's set-up. The GT feels more supple, more communicative with better steering response and better turn in in to corners. It's also less likely to be unsettled by poor roads.VERDICTLike the car. Just not sure whether it's worth the extra $10,000 asking price over the 2.0-litre sedan.

Big expectations for this car from us and from Peugeot. It is upper-echelon in France and is a showcase of Peugeot's new design direction. We like the look and the keen local pricing and the car certainly gives nothing away to its competitors apart from the Ford Mondeo wagon which scores a dual clutch auto and is just as keenly priced from $45,990.DESIGNBig arcing roofline is a grab-you feature of the new Pug wagon as is the new face and rear end treatment. You certainly won't miss it in a crowd. And the clean exterior design carries through on the inside with an elegant dash layout with three different fascia materials and easy to use controls. It offers plenty of room for five and a large load space.Most of the roof is sliding glass that has a retractable blind to keep out the sun. The tailgate is electrically operated and the Pug's overall dimensions are average for the medium class.TECHNOLOGYPower comes from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 120kW/340Nm output. It's the same 2.0-litre as you'll find in the 308, 3008 and RCZ and scores a Euro5 emissions rating while using a mere 5.7-litres/100km in the 508 Touring.Drive is to the front wheels via a slick shifting six-speed auto with sequential change paddles on the steering column and sequential stick shift too.It has strong performance if a little tardy off the line. You can hear a muted engine growl at low speeds. No real complaints about the powertrain at all. Gotta love the fuel economy.FEATURESPlenty of kit for the money including Bluetooth , a multi-info screen, multi-function steering wheel (gorgeous to hold), decent audio, leather upholstery and four zone aircon to name a few goodies. Rolls on handsome 18-inch alloys with low profile rubber. Electric park brake, front and rear park assist - doesn't lack much at all.SAFETYRates a strong five stars and comes complete with multiple air bags and stability control. Strong chassis structure capable of withstanding front side and rear collisions as well as offering a high level of pedestrian safety.DRIVINGPeugeot seems to be back on the rails with its ride and handling if the 508 is anything to go by. It offers up a comfortable ride but corners flat as a biscuit with absolutely minimal body roll - impressive for a weighty wagon. You can jump on the brakes hard and it tracks true and the electric steering adapts to your driving providing accuracy and plenty of feel.We hammered it over some fairly crappy sealed roads and the 508 simply floated over the bumps - just like the good old days at Peugeot. We took it to our favourite winding road and were surprised at how adept it was. Just needed about 240kW but that's not really a family wagon is it? Loved the drive, no complaints at all.HOW MUCHThis is the second most expensive 508 at $45,990 but compares favourably with competitors. They got the price right this time and the car is good value with all the standard kit.VERDICTYep, would shop it against the Mondeo but the Pug has more class than that though not quite as big. No Mazda 6 diesel wagon in auto ... Passat wagon a direct competitor. The 508 is a car you could easily live with, rarely visit the servo and chuck all the kids and your own stuff in the back.

Large cars need large engines, is the traditional wisdom. Capacity is king and you need at least a six, preferably an eight. But times are changing. Soon, there will be mandatory emissions standards for all cars sold in Australia that mirror the sorts of schemes in place in Europe and elsewhere.They will be especially challenging for local makers, which specialise in large cars. They are already under a lot of pressure because the traditional large sedan has declined markedly in popularity during the past decade.Where they used to represent about 30 per cent of sales, now fewer than 8 per cent of buyers opt for one. Every year the large sedan slips further down buyer wish lists, with nothing seemingly able to arrest the fall.So four-cylinder large cars are taking a larger piece of the pie, and European makers can exploit some of this. The idea of a large sedan with a four-cylinder engine is less alien in Europe and, in technological terms, they have a head start. Their engines already achieve standards still to be implemented here.At least as important, prices have moved decisively in favour of imports, with vehicle tariffs as low as they can go and a high Australian dollar making them cheap. With premium prices, they have struggled to get mainstream traction. Now it's going to get easier.Some are already on sale, disguised as “medium cars'' in the official listings. They include the new Volkswagen Passat and even Ford's European-made Mondeo. It comes as a wagon, too, when the Falcon no longer does.The first European to be listed in the mainstream large category was a Skoda sedan called the Superb. It arrived two years ago with a 2.0-litre diesel and 1.8-litre petrol, both turbocharged four-cylinders. It has been no more than a nick in the side of the locals, with sales in the hundreds.But now there's another. The Peugeot 508 pushes the price and economy argument even further. It arrives with two diesels and will soon be available with a 115kW turbo 1.6-litre petrol from $36,990, undercutting the cheapest Falcon or Commodore by thousands.The 1.6-litre petrol, which many Australians would view as on the small side for a hatchback, uses 7.1 litres per 100km while both the diesels achieve just 5.7. The best a Commodore can do is 9.1l/100km and the Falcon 9.9l/100km.The 508 will soon be able to offer so-called ``micro-hybrid'' features such as stop-start at idle to return fuel economy of 4.4. These systems are common at the luxury level of the market but still making there way into the mainstream. However, Ford and Holden are years behind.Running costs are a huge issue for fleets but fuel is only one factor. To dispel concerns about the price of servicing imports, Peugeot has tailored a three-year capped deal that offers three scheduled pit stops for no more than $330 each. It's the same deal for private buyers and fleets.The 508 replaces two cars in the Peugeot line-up: the 407, which started in the low-$40,000 and came as a sedan, wagon or coupe; and the 607, a $70,000-plus car that whittled out a lonely career as an unloved sedan.The 508 falls between the two on size, with a shorter front overhang and less obvious grille than the ugly 407. It's the first Peugeot to use some of the new design language explored in the SR1 concept from last year. The SR1 itself suggests a coupe may join the sedan and wagon later.TECHNOLOGYPerhaps Peugeot will save a six-cylinder for a two-door because there's no V6 in this line-up. The smallest diesel, a 2.0-litre, starts at $42,990 and a wagon adds $3000.All engines comply with the latest Euro V toxic emission standards and come in well under the expected Australian CO2 emissions target for 2015 of 190g per kilometre.The GT model with more power gets the same economy but is quicker to 100km/h, at 8.2 seconds. It gains wishbones at the front suspension instead of struts, and larger alloys.DESIGN AND FIT-OUTThe list of features available is impressive and includes a head-up display for the driver, clever directional headlamps and electronic park brake. It presents well, with the wagon more pleasing visually and a well put together interior that's two notches above the locals for quality and appeal.There's leather and soft plastics, a bit of chrome bling and enough comfort features. The chairs are as accommodatingly wide as any in a Falcon or Commodore. Who says the French don't get fat? The cabin itself isn't as roomy, of course. None of the European aspirants are, unless you go up a badge or two.DRIVINGThe 508 is unlikely to change the minds of Commodore and Falcon buyers about what constitutes a desirable set of wheels. The two diesels were available at the launch drive in Victoria and they do the job well enough, although you'd miss the Falcon's six up a hill. Or for overtaking.Less so in with the 150kW 2.2-litre, which might test the 3.0-litre Commodore at some speeds. Certainly, Peugeot believes it can outperform its previous V6.The two 508s have different dynamic personalities. The 2.0-litre is pillowy and rolly, with an eagerness to run wide in corners. The bespoke front suspension and larger wheels on the GT lift the thresholds substantially but don't change the character of the car. It's not as precise as one of the local rear-wheel drives.When it comes to the ride quality, the large wheels in the GT are noisier and fussier about road imperfections than the 2.0, but at least both are more comfortable than Peugeots have been recently, with a less troubling ride.Drivers may not have changed what they want, but fleets have changed their buying patterns already. Steeper petrol prices have shifted some to smaller cars. Others have been swept up by the trend to SUVs, which with diesel engines can be relatively cheap to run.Demand for large cars won't rebound on the strength of imports, with Peugeot expecting to ship in about 1000 a year. It badly needs to hit that target if it's going to reach its goal of 8500 buyers next year. That would be its second best result in a decade or about 3000 more than last year. 

Any time a carmaker tears six grand out of the bottom line on a new model it's time to pay attention.When the new model is also a sea-change car for one of the great European brands, there is even more to get you interested. And so we have the all-new Peugeot 508.It's basically the replacement for the French company's mid-sized 407, but so much has changed - from a starting price at $36,990 to a cabin that's as big as the flagship 607 - that the 508 demands a re-think. The styling is much more conservative, there is a new emphasis on quality, equipment levels have been boosted across the board, and the driving experience is far less quirky than in the past.It's almost as if Peugeot decided it needed to be more like Toyota to survive in a world where competition as never been tougher and customers expect far more for every dollar they spend.The 508 has landed as both a four-door sedan and smooth looking station wagon, with a range of petrol and diesel engines and even a GT with the promise of Peugeot-style long-distance express travel.The price leader is not here yet, but Peugeot expects most buyers to go for the mid-level 508 Allure with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel and a starting price of $39,490. Perhaps with a 50:50 split for wagon buyers, who pay an extra $3000 for the Touring."This car takes Peugeot back to its heartland in Australia, but also moves the brand forward," says Ken Thomas, managing direct of Peugeot in Australia, summing the 508 in a single sentence.VALUEThe easiest way to put the 508 into perspective is to look at the 407 it replaces. The new car is significantly bigger, most importantly in the cabin, and also picks up extra standard equipment including four-zone aircon that's a big bonus for rear-seat passengers.Equipment varies depending on the model, but some of the good new stuff includes a colour head-up instrument display, front and rear parking radar, efficient new headlamps with 'light tube' daytime lamps, and even a system that can measure a potential parking space and give a verdict on its suitability.Peugeot says the Australian dollar has helped with pricing from $36,990 through to $52,990 for the GT sedan, but also says the car is cheaper to make. And it has introduced capped-price servicing as extra buyer bait.It has decided to slide it into the large-car class in Australia, although it could also qualify as a medium contender, which means its closest Euro rival is the Skoda Superb. But it can also be measured against everything from the Mazda6 and Toyota Camry to Falcon and Commodore.TECHNOLOGYDevelopment of the 508 began with a rigid new body and all-independent suspension, with things like the parking space system and adaptive Xenon lamps to provide the window dressing.The really important stuff includes four new engines, both petrol and diesel, with C02 that's down by a claimed 15 per cent over the 407 with similar improvements in overall efficiency.The basic 1.6-litre petrol makes 115kW/240Nm with 7.1 litres/100km and CO2 of 165grams/km, the 1.6-litre turbodiesel is 82/270/4.4/115, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is 120/340/5.7/149, and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel is 150/450/10.0/150 and the engine for the GT.It's no surprise the 508 is front-wheel drive, with a six-speed automatic gearbox that comes with a paddle shift behind a wheel that now houses all the minor controls - instead of having them shotgunned around the dash.DESIGNThe 407 was a mistake and Peugeot has learned from it. The giant gaping grille has been replaced with a restrained opening that points to a new French face - and is already reflected in an updated 308 - and the body doesn't look like the front and rear were designed by different people. But the 508 is not as uniquely Peugeot as past cars.At first glance it even looks - whisper it - a bit like a Mitsubishi 380. It is strongly styled and the new dash is more user-friendly, but the back-seat space is only good enough for two Aussie adults despite the boot capacity.SAFETYPeugeot says the 508 is the first car built from its new 'Platform 3' and that brings significant safety benefits in a crash. It was developed for the first time for both side barrier and post impacts.The suite of safety equipment is the standard stuff with ABS and ESP, but the 508 also gets cornering brake control - for added stability when you need to slow in a curve - and hill-start assistance, first seen on off-roaders. It's a five-star car with six airbags as well.DRIVINGPeugeot tragics - and my experience of the brand runs back to the 203 - will find the 508 a bit bland. But for people who are moving out of a Japanese car, perhaps tempted by Peugeot's new deals for fleets and 'user chooser' buyers, it will have enough personality to give them a bit of flavour without provoking a gag reaction.My time at the press preview of the 508 is spent mostly in the Allure turbodiesel, that sits in the middle of the lineup, and it gets along well enough, is comfy and quiet, and feels secure and easy to handle in turns.It's only once I get well out of Melbourne on some long loping roads that I rediscover the sort of long-legged ability which has always set Peugeots apart. There is some annoying thump through the low-profile tyres and some quality glitches - a loose gearknob, one piece of cabin trim that doesn't fit, some wind noise and a rattle in the back door - but the package comes together more convincingly in the sporty GT model.The styling is nothing special, and the back end even looks a bit Korean, but the 508 is intended to bring new people to Peugeot and it should do the job.I cannot close without highlighting the incredible number of warning bells and chimes in the car - the 508 seems to have an audio reminder for everything, from an open door to the handbrake, and what starts as a bit of fun quickly becomes annoying.VERDICTThe 508 is good but not great, effective but not memorable. It's a car that has been driven by a new approach at Peugeot to a new group of customers, and it will definitely give them something to consider.The price line is very appealing and the 508 makes a strong case against rivals such as the Camry, but is less convincing when it's lined up against a Skoda Superb or a Volkswagen Passat.It should definitely make big gains for Peugeot in Australia, but it's not the landmark car the brand needs. Perhaps that's the baby 208 that's coming next year . . .

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.DESIGNAvailable 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.TECHNOLOGYIt 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.VALUEPeugeot 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.DRIVINGWe 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.