Blog Auto Review

The Peugeot 508 RXH represents the new, up market positioned Peugeot. It sees the launch of an identity that combines the traditional designation of Peugeot models, incorporating the central zero, and three letters that characterise the Marques specialist vehicles. The new model both heads up and extends the 508 range, with an original design silhouette, justifying its exclusive designation - RXH.

A distinctive appeal
The Peugeot 508 RXH styling has its own distinctive character within the 508 range. Its elegance and style place it immediately in an exclusive world that combines premium-positioning, technology with the ability to experience adventure and promises of a new and unparalleled driving experience.

With a 40 mm wider track and its height increased by 50 mm, the new Peugeot has an individual stance, without sacrificing the characteristics of the 508 range - poise, elegance and status. The use of new, 18" forged wheel rims allowed designers to create a very fine wheel design with an internal diameter increased by 10 mm in comparison with conventional wheel rims. The result is a dynamic and elegantly enhanced body style.

Its adventurous side profile is illustrated through the bodywork extensions in satin stealth grey that envelope the lower body of the car. From the bottom of the front bumper, the line extends over the wheel arches, along the sill panels to meet the rear bumper. The choice of the satin trim finishers contribute to position this estate car within a refined world, as do the satin chrome inserts, with HYbrid4 badging, that adorns the sill panel, and front and rear protective trims. Fully integrated, they reflect the integrity applied to the cohesive design of the Peugeot 508 RXH.

The individual personality is more striking at the front end, which has become even more expressive while maintaining the strength of the brands new style aesthetics. Accompanying a wider and taller body silhouette, the grille is extended on its lower edge. More strikingly, the new grille accentuates the illusion that it is floating within the aperture. To achieve this, designers have taken influence from aviation reference points, notably taking inspiration from aircraft jet engine cowls. The air therefore seems to be well-channelled around the grille, which stands out distinctly from the bonnet line.

Its distinctive style lines give the Peugeot 508 RXH a very individual visual identity. It is the first Peugeot to use the iconic theme of the claw on the front. Its LED daytime running lights illuminate to form three lion claws, instantly recognisable by day and by night to reinforce the characteristic feline appearance of the head lamps. This unique and dynamic signature is complemented with the illumination of seven orange LEDs, from within the LED tube that is an original directional indicator function.

Like the 508 SW, the lines flow together in a harmonious and dynamic manner, falling back to a rear that is well seated on its haunches. The extensive panoramic glass roof has the benefit of being a continuation of the windscreen, with the profiled aluminium roof bars merging with the bodywork to enhance the exclusivity of the car. In this spirit, there are flush surfaces, highlighted by its high build quality finish. At the rear, the lights portray an elegant red band that glows brightly when the lights are on.

Refined interior styling and technology
The styling of the dashboard is centred heavily around the qualities evoked by the exterior design of the vehicle, with continued illustrations of high quality, purity, elegance, etc. Its design supports a multiplex centre console with switchgear that is equipped with technology designed to provide easy control to a host of features.

This purity and simplicity of design and integration is best demonstrated on the HYbrid4 drive mode selection knob and the gear selector lever. It has the design that combines the traditional gear selector lever and a computer mouse called the manettino - it fits perfectly into this pure and technological environment.

White backlighting is available throughout the Peugeot 508 RXH interior (on the instrument panel, displays and the various lighting zones within the car), showing great care in detail and finish. It is this and the attention to detail that illustrates the hallmarks of the latest Peugeot range.

The cars internal trim and decor have been created in harmony, evoking elegance without ostentation. The use of natural materials and colours, sometimes exclusively, enhance the distinctive character of the 508 RXH. Brushed aluminium and shaded lacquers are used on the dashboard for the first time in this way. A spectacular treatment in keeping with the electricity supplied by HYbrid4 technology, this decor is specified in tinted shades of copper. This theme, again unprecedented, is subtly continued throughout the interior with matching trim stitching in this copper shade. The exterior is also themed with a copper colour theme through the colouring of the lock tumblers in Calern Brown, a shade exclusive to the Peugeot 508 RXH.

The choice of light-coloured alcantara leather and an innovative laser-printed fabric creates a two-tone upholstery that reinforces the refined image of the car. Depending on preference, the customer may opt for full leather or half-leather upholstery.

A generously-proportioned, high-quality boot
In keeping with the vehicles interior, the boot of the Peugeot 508 RXH has been fitted out with care, using materials that continue to reflect a high level of quality with the materials specified. The aluminium rails and four solid chrome hooks elegantly decorate the functional boot floor, while a loading sill guard in the same material offers protection for the rugged adventurer potential of this new Peugeot.

The Peugeot 508 RXH boot has a capacity of 423 litres beneath the parcel shelf (or 400 dm3 in accordance with the VDA 210 standard). Its rectangular shape, with motorised tailgate and the storage compartments located under the flat floor (11 litres) make it easy to use. It is also possible to compartmentalise the boot using partition bars available as accessories, which attach to the aluminium rails inside the boot.

Finally, the loading volume can be increased easily by folding the 1/3 - 2/3 split rear bench seat in a single movement.

Enhancement through technological equipment
The Peugeot 508 RXH is offered in a single trim finish, generously-equipped, in accordance with its distinctive high-end positioning. All of the high-tech equipment available either as standard or as an option accentuates its exclusive character: Open and Go Stop Start, Colour Head Up Display (that includes the display of the navigation system information), main beam head lamps assistance, automatic electric parking brake, new telematics, JBL hi-fi stereo, Peugeot Connect SOS and Assistance, Xenon lights, etc.

A high level of comfort
Quality of comfort aboard the Peugeot 508 RXH has been the focus of particular care to ensure that each passenger can benefit from individual treatment. In addition to the generous space given to each seat, notably in the rear with excellent leg room and the panoramic glass roof, dedicated equipment allows everyone to have a high-level of comfort: with quad-zone air conditioning, drivers seat electric lumbar massage, electrically-adjustable driver and passenger seats with adjustable cushion edge and laminated acoustic rear side windows for road noise reduction, etc.

Benchmark for road handling
The suspension and wheel design also contribute to onboard comfort: with a Pseudo-McPherson type front axle and specific HYbrid4 technology, modular multi-arm rear axle. While cleverly incorporating the hybrid architecture and taking into account a new weight distribution, the Peugeot engineers have retained the recognised dynamic characteristics of the 508 range with an excellent synthesis of suspension comfort, light steering and good handling. The Peugeot 508 RXH is one of the latest generation of vehicles that expresses driving pleasure, due to its Peugeot chassis genetics and full diesel hybrid technology.

HYbrid4 technology: A logical combination
Offering the Peugeot 508 RXH with a HYbrid4 technology powertrain that combines diesel and electric motors, is a logical choice primarily because it provides a level of functionality that is perfectly matched to the various customer expectations in this segment:

The next generation enhances driving emotion
HYbrid4 technology also opens up new perspectives in the segment with a breakthrough in improved fuel consumption - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of less than 109 g/km in the Combined Drive Cycle with a completely silent electric mode with zero emissions; ideal for driving around town efficiently.

In terms of performance, Peugeot 508 RXH benefits from the efficiency and power of its internal combustion engine combined with the electric motor during acceleration phases for an immediate increase in power (the boost function maximises performance and available power in the Sport mode). The maximum combined power can reach 147 kW (200bhp) by combining the 120 kW (163 bhp) from the 2.0 l HDi FAP diesel engine and the on-demand peak power of the 27 kW (37 bhp) electric motor. Up to 300 Nm of torque is delivered to the front wheels by the HDi diesel unit and up to 200 Nm to the rear wheels with the electric motor. The maximum combined value however is 450 Nm at lower road speeds, which guarantees excellent traction in most driving conditions including low-grip surfaces like snow and dirt roads, providing customers of this all-wheel drive estate car to comfortably go much further than ever before.

A car manufactured in France
The Peugeot 508 RXH is manufactured in Rennes, with the modular hybrid rear drive axle being assembled and supplied from Mulhouse, and is scheduled for UK release in spring 2012.