Test drive of the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered, a plug-in hybrid sports family car

It introduces a new family of vehicles designed by Peugeot Sport Engineered, a dedicated division that will handle the brand’s high-performance models based on electrification, aiming to compete with the sporty specialist brands RS, M or AMG, from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, seeking lower emissions and greater efficiency.

From April onwards it will be available for 62,200 euros in the saloon five-door version and 63,400 for the SW estate, including the promotions offered by the brand, although more advantageous prices could be obtained, with discounts of up to 2,900 euros when financing or trading in a used vehicle.

The new 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered is based on the two available body styles of the model, saloon and SW, but stands out for some styling details that make it very special, such as the front end with a specific grille featuring the brand logo in Onix black and the distinctive claws painted in kryptonite green, aerodynamic elements on the side of the bumpers, electrolytic black exhaust outlets, air intakes painted also in kryptonite green on the front apron, rear air diffuser and specific 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 245/35 tyres. It is offered in three different colours, one of which is specific (Selenium Grey) and exclusive to this sporty version.

The interior has also been suitably modified for the occasion, with a leather steering wheel with green stitching, as well as sports seats, upholstered in leather and Alcantara, which are heated and feature a massage function. The instrument cluster is the same as in the other editions of the model (12.3 inches), but includes graphics, needles and details in the same green used for the body and interior details.

There is no difference in seat or boot space compared with the “standard” 508 versions. What does set it apart from other models is the way it is sold, as it will be sold exclusively at the so-called PSE Expert Centres, dedicated dealerships that will have demonstration units and specially trained staff. There are already 15 of them in Spain, but the intention is for this number to increase significantly over the course of this year.

Specific tuning

Not only are there details in the bodywork and interior. The chassis has also received important modifications to handle the increase in power compared with the other versions of the model. To begin with, it has larger-diameter anti-roll bars, wider tracks (24 mm at the front and 12 mm at the rear), specific suspension with variable adjustment and shorter springs that allow the body height to be lowered by 11 mm at the front and 4 at the rear, steering with more precise calibration, or 380 mm ventilated front disc brakes with four-piston calipers.

The ESP and ASR traction control programming has also been modified to favour more dynamic behaviour, and the sound in Sport mode is artificially amplified by the high-power Focal sound system.

This very special version is based on the hybrid variant of the model, with which it shares the electric components. It has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 200 CV and two electric motors, one at the front producing 81 kW (110 CV) and another on the rear axle producing 83 kW (113 CV), combined with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with electric actuation and “B” regeneration mode, for brake.

The combined powertrain is capable of delivering up to 360 CV and 520 Nm of torque in Sport mode, and 140 CV in fully electric mode (the rear motor can operate up to 190 km/h), although one or both motors may act depending on the selected driving mode and grip conditions.

First-rate performance

It promises 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds, 80 to 120 km/h in-gear acceleration in 3 seconds, covers the kilometre from a standing start in 24.5 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/h (up to 140 km/h on electric power alone), and claims 46 g/km of CO2. In addition, it is homologated for up to 42 km of range in fully electric mode, which earns it the Zero Emissions label from the DGT and its corresponding advantages in some areas.

It has five driving modes. In Comfort, it selects the smoothest suspension setting and greater steering assistance, while the Sport mode sharpens throttle response, stiffens the suspension, is more permissive with the ESP and traction control settings, and reduces steering assistance. It also includes a 4WD mode that allows rear-wheel propulsion in electric mode regardless of battery charge, with no mechanical connection to the front axle, with a front/rear weight split of 43/47.

As in other models in the group, it allows the energy reserve to be selected for a journey so it can be used when convenient. It has an 11.5 kWh battery under the rear seat that does not reduce cargo capacity in either the cabin or the boot. To charge it, in addition to the petrol engine and the regeneration system during deceleration and braking, it can be connected to the mains with a domestic 8 A socket, a reinforced 16 A socket or a 32 A wallbox, so charging times range between 7 and 2 hours, since 3.7 kW is the power absorbed by the car’s onboard charger, although, as an option, a 7.4 kW unit can be specified.

On the road it feels firm and inspires great confidence, as it corners very flat and handles linked bends without any complaints; it is quick, very precise and efficient. It has enough power to deliver spectacular acceleration figures. The weight increase from the batteries and electric motors is noticeable, adding more than 400 kg compared with the non-hybrid versions, reaching 1,850 kg in the saloon and 1,875 kg in the SW estate. Nevertheless, the good work of the suspension and the larger brakes provides excellent dynamic behaviour.