Peugeot unveils 508 SW beauty. Peugeot has lifted the lid on its sleek 508 SW replacement, that’s all new and packed with neat details and surprising features. Highlights include a stunning design based on the radical 508 fastback, a 1,780-litre boot with ‘Magic Flat’ folding rear seats and the arrival of a plug-in hybrid next year with a 31-mile electric range. The 508 SW will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show this October before going on sale in the UK from January 2019.
Sitting 60mm lower and 50mm shorter than the outgoing 508 SW, the new version sits on the same EMP2 platform as the Peugeot 3008, with a handy 70kg weight saving and increased body rigidity. It also looks fantastic, and in an interesting twist, the doors have frameless windows for a more upmarket feel. Its nose sticks to the same design of the fastback, with an expressive lower bumper and grille flanked by vertical LEDs extending upwards into the headlights. A vertical grille and lion badge sit beneath a ‘508’ badge at the leading edge of the bonnet.
Prominent rear wheelarches help to visually plant the 508 SW to the road, and the tailgate is intersected by a glossy black panel with lion’s claw LED lights that remain lit during the day.
The lower bumper has a diffuser-style appearance with a chrome tailpipe at either side. Other neat touches include no visible roof aerial and wheel and tyre combinations Peugeot has designed to perfectly fill the wheelarches.
The boot can be powered and hands-free in operation and its sill is 6cm lower than the fastback and 2.4cm wider, with a stainless steel trim for easier loading. There’s a retractable tonneau cover and 530-litres of space beneath it to the back seats, with minimal intrusions upon the rectangular space. There’s also a Magic Flat function for the 60:40 split and fold rear seats that automatically sees them fold into the floor, with controls in the boot. Peugeot says this results in a ‘virtually flat boot floor’ with 1,780-litres of space, exactly matching the Passat Estate.
Up front, the 508 SW is fitted with the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit digital instruments and infotainment system, while ‘carbon decoration’ adorns the dashboard, console and door panels. There’s also plenty of satin chrome, and a similar setup of seven toggle switches as the 3008 SUV.
Flocked coverings for storage pockets add a touch of class and stop loose items rattling around, while each door can hold a one-litre drinks bottle. Taller drivers may also be interested to note there’s 40mm more headroom in the estate than the 508 fastback.
Other interior highlights will be an optional uprated Focal audio system with 10 speakers and tweeters featuring brushed metal grilles, and a full range of driving aids. Most notable is a first-for- the-class night vision system that can help spot objects 200 metres ahead of the car at night or in low-visibility conditions, displaying its infra-red image within the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Adaptive cruise control that can stop and start the car in traffic (with an automatic gearbox fitted), lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition and driver drowsiness alerts will all be available too.
The 508 SW will launch with diesel engines that will boast best-in-class CO2 emissions and compliance with Euro-6.2 regulations. The entry-level engine is the 129bhp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 with a six-speed manual or eight-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox, while the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 160 and 180 come with an automatic transmission as standard. The SW will be offered with a similar range of trim levels as the Fastback, with Active, Allure, GT Line and GT editions on offer. Prices are expected to start at £26,500 when the full specifications are announced.
“Prominent rear wheelarches help to visually plant the 508 SW to the road…”
