Peugeot 508 RXH: Savagely Special

The mighty Roland Rendell takes to the road in a 508 RXH, Peugeot’s diesel-electric hybrid with four‑wheel drive, and is suitably impressed by its class, power and dual-fuel economy.

The last decade has seen Peugeot do well in the small car segment, with the 307 introduced in 2001, that went on to win European Car of the Year in 2002, and most recently, the 208 helping them scoop City Car Manufacturer of the Year at our GreenFleet Awards. Add to that the 107, the 207 and the 308, and you realise that when it comes to city vehicles, Peugeot were very focused on delivering cars that were more of a cub than a fully grown beast. But now they are looking at the fleet car segment again, and their latest offering is really quite special.

Despite abandoning its attack on the Le Mans 24 Hours, that doesn’t mean the company’s fierce rivalry with Audi is over. The new 508 RXH is aimed directly at the recently revised A4 Allroad, and the battle between these production models looks set to be just as competitive.

A BIG OLD BEAST
I was delighted to take delivery of the 508 RXH, the model that is a step up from the 508 SW. If its younger brother was the scar of the family, the RXH is most certainly the Mufasa, as it sits 50mm higher and has a 40mm wider track than its sibling.

At 4823mm long, it is certainly a big old beast. And from ear to ear, or wing mirror to wing mirror, it’s a staggering 2068mm. The nose sits higher than that of the A4, giving it a taller overall stance, and under the hood there is a 1997cc diesel/electric engine and powertrain. All of this adds to the 2325kg of weight, supported by 245/45 R18 ‘feet’, which house the striking 18” ‘Attila’ alloy wheels.

Being an estate, this is designed for the ‘Rep on the Road’, but due to its pricing, which I will come on to later, it’s probably going to attract more senior management.

Internally, this car does not disappoint. The gorgeously detailed light fittings and hi-tech head-up display provide the cabin with a very smart, modern feel, and as with its distant relative, the Citroen DS5, and closer sibling, the 3008, this Hybrid4 envelops you and makes you feel strong and secure.

The RXH holds the upper hand for interior space, over its rivals, including the A4. Because its rear wheels are driven by electric motors, not a conventional driveshaft, the rear passenger footwell isn’t impeded by a transmission tunnel. This means three adults can easily fit in the back.

As with the 3008, the RXH is controlled by the dial in the centre consul. It features the all too familiar AUTO, ZEV, 4WD and SPORT modes, and as usual, I select AUTO as the entire system is then electronically controlled, including operation of the HDi diesel engine and electric motor. I slip it in to reverse and a whirring catches my attention. I have seen it on the BMW 320d, and I liked it. The nearside wing mirror moves down to show me the kerb – they really want you to look after the Atillas. No need to release the handbrake, just apply some throttle and it releases itself.

ROARING TO LIFE
The automated manual 6-speed gearbox with optimised shifts, is incredibly smooth, if you drive it properly. Apply too much gas, and the roar of this beast sounds a bit strained, and it appears to reach very high revs before the next gear is found. That said, I have it in a mode that is designed for MPG, not speed and acceleration, and I discover that there is real bite, a little later on. The 7-inch widescreen in the centre console reveals the workings of this car, such as whether the 27kW (37hp) electric motor fitted to the rear axle is active or not. The Power Train Management Unit (PTMU) that manages the operating modes of the diesel engine and electric motor, will automatically select the mode that will deliver the best fuel economy

The SPORT mode frees up the maximum 200bhp combined output of the 2.0-litre HDi engine plus electric motor. And boy could I notice a difference. The whole ‘feel’ of the car becomes a lot more ‘responsive’. The acceleration is there, and in terms of manoeuvrability, it is more than capable of quick shifts in direction.

DRIVE IT RIGHT, REAP THE REWARDS
On the motorway, the Peugeot is a great cruiser thanks to its large fuel tank and hushed cabin. I didn’t quite manage the claimed 70.6 mpg for Extra Urban, but was nearer the 68.9 combined figure at 66mpg. But it again comes down to driver style. Drive it properly and you’ll reap the benefits.

When you’re looking for a tree for the lion to rest under, the question then is will this car park easily? The answer is – yes. Peugeot have made it as easy as possible for you to shoe‑horn this beast in to pretty much any space. With front mounted parking sensors on the bumper, the car’s electronics can measure the size of a parking space. A similar sensor on the back means you can lay this beast down to rest pretty much anywhere.

THE BOTTOM LINE
So, all in all, the benefits of this hybrid are clear on the open road, and especially around town: the RXH can travel at up to 2.5 miles purely on electric power (ZEV mode). This also means that the Peugeot is cleaner than the Audi it so wants to beat. The lower CO2 emissions (107g/km) make the 508 RXH a decent executive company car choice, but as is always the case, it may come down to price.
At £33,695 OTR, some may say this is over the top. Who am I to say one way or the other? Would I buy one? Yes, I would.