Thursday, June 2, 2016

2011+ Peugeot 508 SW

The French maker's best car currently being produced? You decide.

In case you're wondering; no, you can't get any exciting paint colors. Ugh.

Let's let our pal from yesterday introduce the 508 SW.


Note that he said "all diesel". Oops. While that would be a great option here in the States, despite current and past unfair revulsion on the part of Americans ("Mah-ns got uh Cummins!"), there would need to be at least a petrol (gasoline for all you heathens) motor on tap. And it better be a good one. Peugeot does supposedly offer a 2.3 petrol 4-banger in the 508 sedan, so that could be an option and there's a diesel/electric hybrid in the "crossover" RXH version.

Built in China, the 508 has never sold particularly all that well, with 131,658 units in 2011 being the highlight. Note that I don't have the numbers for 2013 and newer, so it's conceivable that it's doing rather well.

Pricing for a 2016 ranges from $27K up to $41K. A V6 Passat sedan starts at $36,835; figure $40K with options and in wagon form (if that was offered here). So there's a comparison...but there's the sticky issue of the number of cylinders. Peugeot doesn't currently have a 6-cylinder on tap for any of its current passenger cars, I believe. But in ten years' time, it's highly liked that Americans will understand that they don't need a V6. Ever. We'll see, on that point.

Here's another view on the 508 SW. Those are some hideous cupholders, for sure. "But how does it drive?" you may ask; that starts around the 4:00 minute mark in the video below. Sadly, the need for speed in every grocery-getter, burning down the road in Grandma's car, appears to be an American thing. At least, it is if you watch the videos I've posted here. Ah, well.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting these reviews, K2. I have not been visiting Europe as often as I once did, and so I was not familiar with this model. Looks like a pretty reasonable package, avoiding the 'Roid Raged Cross-over Technobuggy craze.

    I found the Dutch review very useful. How the heck did those cup holders ever get approved? Even if you got to the end of the project and then went "D'Oh, we forgot the cup holders", these should never have lived.

    I have no experience with HUDs. Do they work with polarized sunglasses? I know cell phones often do not, unless you turn the screen or your head sideways (not an option when driving!).

    And on another topic, it is impressive how drones have changed the cinematographic standards for self-produced video!

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  2. I've driven both the 308 and 508, in sedan form. I find it difficult to get comfortable in them, they're just a bit too compact for me. But I haven't been able to get situated in a Peugeot since the old 607.

    Those cup holders are indeed ludicrous. It used to be not long ago that those of us on this side of the pond didn't really care about such things but now they're expected.

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    1. Well, I know I commented on the cup holders, but I don't think I have ever actually used one, as a driver. I have only manual transmission cars, and so I would not have a free hand to manage a drink anyway. I always laugh at North American car reviews that make it a point to count and comment on cup holders, especially the truck ones that can hold a 32 oz Super-Slurpee (or whatever they are called).

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  3. Yeah, you're right; I keep seeing drone shots in television shows a lot more now, too. Cheap, easy and safer. Just ask Vic Morrow.

    I'm guilty of using the cup holders in all of my cars, be they manual or automatic. Not all the time, but sometimes. The Shadowagon has some pretty pathetic ones, just two and only for the front driver and passenger, which slide out of the center arm rest. I'm glad when I need them, pissed when my drink doesn't fit and frankly don't even think about it when I don't.

    The Hyundai Enter Rage Against the Machine has seemingly a million of them and truthfully, we use all of the front ones for nicknacks AND paddywacks. And the occasional drink, of which any size seems to fit. Of course, we don't really drink those giant ones, as you mentioned, Bobinott. Tiny bladders!

    The NA has two, right behind the shifter. You'd think it would be an obstacle and dangerous. It isn't. In fact, it works brilliantly as long as you remember your drink is there and don't try to lay your arm down on top of it.

    Pair up some cold drinks from the Hyundai Elantra Touring's cooled glovebox with some decent sized holders...

    But really, cupholders ARE rather ridiculous.

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  4. Creative solutions abound.

    [img]http://i.imgur.com/cgaw8KC.jpg?1[/img]

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  5. Just took a look at the UK Peugeot 508 SW site. I can have black, white, grey or blue? Yuck.

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