Back in February 2011, we told you that French carmaker Peugeot is hunting for land in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to set up a plant in the country, and re-enter the land that it deserted after it alliance with Premier didn’t quite work out. This time around though, the company plans to make an impact as it enters by launching a premium D-segmenter straight away.
The car in question here is the Peugeot 508, displayed first at last year’s Paris Motor Show. Peugeot upon revealing the car, also let the world know that there will indeed be two point of production of the car. While the French factory, also, the car’s homeland, would cater to the European market, another plant in China would cater to the developing markets in Asia. While the European version of the car was shown to the public quite a while ago, the pictures of the Chinese version have also surfaced from Shanghai now. There isn’t much difference in the two cars visually though, except for an almost unnoticeable indentation of the boot lip at the rear.
The 508 will be brought to India via the CBU route, at least initially. The car, in all probability will feature both petrol and diesel engines. Here’s a list of engines and transmissions available for the new car globally.
Diesel engines:
• 1.6 litre e-HDi 112 bhp, 285 Nm, electronically-controlled 6-speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre HDi 112 bhp, 254 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox
• 2.0 litre HDi 140 bhp, 340 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox
• 2.0 litre HDi 163 bhp, 340 Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox
• 2.2 litre HDi FAP 204 bhp, 450 Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox
Petrol engines:
• 1.6 litre VTi 120 bhp, 160 Nm, electronically-controlled 6-speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre THP 156 bhp, 240 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox
• 1.6 litre THP 156 bhp, 240 Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox; CO2
Of these, the 2.2 liter diesel and the 1.6-liter turbo petrol options seem to be the most apt for our conditions, where the car will have to content with some really potent rivals. The chances of more engine options cannot be denied though. In any case, for a not so well known brand like Peugeot, pricing is going to be crucial in the Indian market. In all probability, it will have to undercut cars like the Honda Accord price wise if it has to stand any chance to succeed.
Following are the salient features of the Peugeot 508 sedan
• Athletic and trendy exterior styling
• Colour head-up display (HUD)
• Four-zone air-conditioning
• Keyless entry and start
• Sun-roof
• Boot volume – 545-liters, 1581 with seats down
• Superior in-cabin sound insulation
• Directional bi-Xenon headlamps,
• Driver’s electrically operated lumbar massage
• New telematics
• JBL Audio
• 2 front air bags
• 2 side front air bags
• 2 curtain air bags
• 2 Isofix fixtures with 3-point attachments at the rear
• Front seats designed to prevent whiplash injuries
Apart from the 508, rumors of the company launching their upcoming 3009 MUV in India are also doing the rounds. Nothing official has come out in this regard though.
Here’s an image gallery of the European version of the car