Singapore 2019: Peugeot 508 GT Previewed

Just under a year after its global debut, a left hand drive sedan version of the all-new Peugeot 508 has been previewed at the ongoing Singapore Motor Show. Its first official appearance in the ASEAN region.

In its second-generation, Peugeot’s D-Segment contender boasts a radical new design, new engines, and a substantial leap in technology and build quality.

The 508 was inspired by the Peugeot Instinct concept, from which it derives vertical opalescent LED daytime running lights and the wide and sleek stance of the front end. Peugeot also opted to move away from the conventional four-door proportions of the outgoing car, in favour of a five-door fastback coupe body style. At the rear, the car’s width is further characterised by a glossy black horizontal strip which is flanked by three-dimensional Full LED rear lights.

In terms of dimensions, the new car measures 4.75 meters, 8 cm less than the predecessor and some 11 cm less than Volkswagen’s Arteon, making it among the most compact saloons in its class. The width, at 1.84 meters is 2 cm wider than the outgoing model, and the new car also sports a low-silhouette, measuring just 1.40 meters in height, approximately 6 cm less than the predecessor.

The Peugeot 508 is underpinned by the Peugeot’s EMP2 platform, which achieves a weight-reduction on average of 70 kgs less compared to the previous model. Peugeot also implemented a new body-welding technique which is strengthened with structural adhesive, to provide greater body rigidity and acoustic insulation.

Globally, there are two petrol engine variants offered with the 508, based on a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, in two power levels: PureTech 180 and 225, which refer to their power outputs of 180 PS and 225 PS respectively, although there’s no confirmation on which unit resides under the hood of the preview car. Power is sent to the company’s ‘EAT8’ 8-speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with Aisin.

On the inside, the Peugeot 508 features the latest version of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, which is highlighted by the new compact steering wheel, a large 10-inch wide HD touch-screen, and head-up display unit with a 12.3-inch digital screen. In terms of connectivity, the new Peugeot 508 offers MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The ‘wide-opening’ panoramic sunroof and a premium audio system by Focal are other highlights of the new car’s interior. The Peugeot 508 also includes the i-Cockpit Amplify system, which augments the car’s ambience settings, such as the lighting, audio, and seat massage functions to offer greater comfort to passengers.

The 508 also comes packed with the company’s latest driving aids. The common array of Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring system, and Traffic Sign Recognition is further updated with Active Safety Brake which works at speeds up to 140 km/h, and a Night Vision system, a first for the segment.

We have previously reported that the Peugeot 508 is slated to be launched in Malaysia in 2019.