The Panoramic Peugeot

Road Test

The new Peugeot 508 benefits from a stop-start system which is claimed to enhance driveability and economy by up to 15 per cent. Angela Pisanu finds out how it drives

The Peugeot 508 SW Active is an attractive and athletic car with bags of instant appeal owing to its beautifully streamlined body, tinted windows and its distinctive headlamps. Taking a seat on the inside and the impressive stylistic features continue as you are greeted with a large panoramic glass roof stretching the length of the vehicle which lets in plenty of natural light and gives extra visibility.

I test drove 112bhp, 1.6 litre diesel with a six-speed automatic transmission. This model achieves a top speed of 120mph and eases from 0-62mph in 12.3 seconds. During the test drive the car performed well, with the automatic transition showing no notable hesitation between gear changes.

STOP START
Fuel economy on the 508 benefits from the latest engine technology including the new e-HDi stop and start system which the manufacturer says improves driveability and economy by up to 15 per cent. The stop start system is not completely discreet like some other systems but it is instant, turning off the engine when you push down the brake pedal and starting it again when the brake is released.

What’s more, the car reveals data about how long the car was in ‘stop start’ mode, which is interesting to learn how much fuel you would have wasted during this time.

The CO2 figure for the model I drove was 116g/km which is impressive given the size of the car and the fact that it was an automatic. This puts the car in band C, which means zero VED to pay for the first year and £30 a year after that. It is worth noting however that the CO2 on the range does go as low as 109g/km on the 1.6 manual diesel.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE
The official figures for fuel economy are 55.3mpg on the urban cycle, 68.8mpg on the extra urban cycle and 64.7mpg on the combined cycle.

I achieved an average of 57.8mpg on a 205 mile trip which included a bumper to bumper trip in London as well as smooth flowing motorway driving. On this trip I used just a quarter tank of fuel. The fact that I got close to the manufacturer’s official figures without altering driving behaviour was impressive. Based on a driver doing an average of 12,000 miles a year, achieving 58mpg means drivers of the 508 having to fill up just 13 times a year. Given today’s out-of-control fuel prices, this is a saving that most would jump at.

A noteworthy feature of the car was the additional speedometer which comes out the dash board. As well as telling the speed it gives the next command from the sat nav in single arrow icon. This was a great safety feature as you did not have to constantly look down at the speedometer or to the side at the sat nav.

CREATURE COMFORTS
The 508 enjoys exceptional interior space and a very generous boot, especially when the rear seats are folded down. It comes with a solid list of mod cons such as cruise control with speed limiter, heated seats, electric windows, and air conditioning. The safety features include anti-lock braking, electronic brake force distribution, emergency braking assist, electronic stability, traction control, and so on. Further up the models to the GT and you even get a SOS button that automatically calls the emergency services if the vehicle is involved in a severe accident.

Given its high spec, numerous safety features, excellent fuel economy and reasonable starting price of £19,175, the new 508 SW is set to be successful within the fleet market.

FACTS AT A GLANCE
Engine: 1.6 diesel
MPG: 62.7 (combined)
CO2g/km: 116g/km
RFL: C
Insurance Group: 21 E
0-62mph: 12.3 seconds
Price range: from £19,175