Peugeot 508. 2nd generation, 2023 restyling
The French brand Peugeot, owned by Stellantis, has introduced an updated flagship family of Peugeot 508 liftbacks and estates. The second generation Peugeot 508 was released in 2018. In 2020, the manufacturer introduced more powerful PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) modifications. And now it’s time for a planned restyling. The cars will keep on being manufactured at the French Stellantis plant in Mulhouse, and they will be available for sale closer to the summer of 2023. Prices have not yet been announced, but it is expected that restyled cars will rise in price compared to the current ones.
In France, the pre-restyling liftback can be bought for 40,820 euros, while the estate will cost no less than 42,040 euros. In Israel, the second generation Peugeot 508 liftback was offered at a price of 238,345 shekels (as of the end of 2022).
Exterior
The restyled Peugeot 508 liftbacks and estates now look more in line with the current corporate identity of the French brand. Therefore, they feature a new pattern and a radiator grille of a different shape, in the center of which there is a new ‘lion’ logo of the brand. The corners of the air intake integrated into the front bumper are placed lower, which, unfortunately, makes it less reminiscent of the former ‘smile’. Head optics is matrix LED, with thin strips of daytime running lights going down (three from each headlight) instead of two bright ‘fangs’. The rear lights, interconnected by a wide strip, have retained their former shape, but have changed the pattern and slope of the luminous strokes.
Interior
The gear lever on the central tunnel has been replaced by a selector. The steering wheel features a new Peugeot brand name. The software of the i-Connect Advanced infotainment system has been updated, although the 10-inch touchscreen is the same, but the system can now be updated over the air. The digital dashboard has received new options for displaying navigation data and prompts from driver assistants. The previous Allure, GT and Sport Engineered trim levels have been retained. The sport version is distinguished by ‘acid’ decor and seats with advanced lateral support.
Powertrains
The restyled models have kept their engines. The entry-level versions are still equipped with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine with 130 hp or a 1.5-liter diesel engine with the same 130 hp. They are paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The models are front-wheel drive only. The front-wheel drive modifications also have a pair of plug-in hybrid systems, which are based on a 1.2-liter internal combustion engine: with a return of 180 hp (based on a new internal combustion engine with 150 hp) or 225 hp (based on a 180-horsepower engine).
The only all-wheel drive Peugeot 508 is the 508 PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) plug-in hybrid, offered both as a liftback and estate. The powertrain includes a 1.6-liter PureTech turbo four-cylinder engine with 200 hp, working in tandem with a pair of electric motors with 110 hp at the front axle and 113 hp at the rear. The engines cooperate with an 8-speed e-EAT8 automatic gearbox. The total output of the system is 360 hp. During the restyling, the plug-in hybrid received a larger battery with a capacity of 12.4 kW instead of 11.5 kWh. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds (in both liftback and estate versions), the maximum speed is electronically limited at around 250 km/h.
The new Peugeot 508 has won numerous international awards for design, driving dynamics, interior fittings and the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit. Even the authoritative magazine Auto Bild recognized the second generation 508 as the “Best Import Car of 2018”.
