Peugeot updates 508 with new face and plug-in power

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Peugeot has updated the 508 with some new styling, tech and updated powertrains. Oh, and a go-faster PSE version.

Peugeot has given the 508 a sprucing up, including a new nose, updated cabin and a new plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Starting with the exterior, Peugeot’s designers have given the 508 the brand’s new frameless grille as seen on the 408 coupe-SUV, more aggressive lighting and a larger lower air intake. The range-topping PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) model extra little upswept winglets on the edges of the front bumper for more attitude.

The refreshed 508 keeps everything that made the outgoing model so attractive.

Around back are fewer changes, largely limited to more aggressive taillights, Peugeot’s ‘claw’ lighting signature, and smoked lighting surrounds.

The 508 PSE is also slightly larger than the regular car, being 22mm wider at the front and 12mm at the rear. It gains 380mm front brakes, 20in wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as standard, along with variable damping with Comfort, Hybrid and Sport driving modes.

Fewer changes are going on inside the 508, but the tweaks are still appreciated.

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Inside is a new-look centre console featuring a 10-inch infotainment screen with Peugeot’s latest i-Connect Advanced operating system. It doesn’t look like the 308’s touch-based configurable ‘i-Toggle’ buttons make to the 508, however.

The same squished steering wheel is present, with an updated 12-inch digital instrument cluster sitting behind it.

Other tech upgrades include adaptive cruise control with stop/start and lane-keep assist, as well as a new night-vision camera that can detect animals, cyclists and pedestrians along the roadside.

Power will be sourced from a range of options, including three plug-in hybrid options. All use an 81kW electric motor with a 12.4kWh battery and an eight-speed transmission.

Two front-drive models use either a 111kW or a 134kW petrol engine, while the PSE version gets a 147kW engine and an additional 83kW motor. Peugeot isn’t claiming combined power figures yet.

Other powertrains include Peugeot’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder making 111kW and the four-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel also making 111kW.

A local launch is yet to be confirmed, so hopefully we hear something from the local arm sooner rather than later because the previous 508 was a brilliant vehicle and one of the last holdouts of the station wagon body shape.