The Peugeot 508 PSE could be ready to enter production

The high-performance electric saloon with petrol power has an electric range of 50 kilometres and a top speed of 249 kilometres per hour. The hybrid four-wheel-drive setup aims to strike a balance between efficiency and performance.

The Lion brand will use the Geneva Motor Show to launch the production-ready version of its performance showcase, called Peugeot 508 PSE, which previews a range of electric performance vehicles.

Shown in concept form at last year’s event, the Peugeot 508 PSE, named after Peugeot’s motorsport engineering arm, uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 197 CV and a 110 CV electric motor to drive the front axle, while a separate 200 CV electric motor powers the rear.

The same powertrain features appear in the new range of mid-size hybrid SUVs from the PSA Group: the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4×4, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and the Opel Grandland X Hybrid4.

The Peugeot 508 PSE, a new electric beast, could be ready

Peugeot claims the 508 PSE can reach 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and has a mechanically limited top speed of 249 kilometres.

An 11.8 kWh battery provides a range of 50 kilometres in electric-only mode. When running as a hybrid, the 508 PSE emits 49 g/km of CO2. The regular 508’s visual changes come in the form of a redesigned front bumper, a rear diffuser and aerodynamic wing-mounted spoilers.

Design elements such as the carbon-fibre door mirrors and the front air-catching lip hint at the model’s performance aspirations, while the anodised lion badge pays tribute to the e-Legend concept of 2018.

Inside, grey and black Alcantara upholstery surrounds a touch-sensitive gear lever, an asymmetric steering wheel and a 10.0-inch touchscreen. Bright green interior stitching and exterior decorative accents break up the dark colour scheme.

David Peel, managing director of Peugeot UK, has pointed out that the concept “shows what is possible and gives us an idea of what will come in the next five years as we continue on the path to electrifying our entire line-up”.

Peugeot first hinted at its ambitions to produce a range of electric performance vehicles when it withdrew from the World Rallycross Championship in 2018. Although production has not been confirmed for the Peugeot 508 PSE, the concept, which will be shown again at the Geneva Motor Show later this year, previews the technology and design of future Peugeot electric cars that could go on sale early next year. Will we finally see this high-performance saloon on our roads, or will we have to wait a little longer? We’ll have more information in just a few days.