Monthly Archives: January 2021

Electric/hybrid, Executive saloon, Family hatchback, Peugeot

Chic and sleek 508

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Peugeot 508 Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

TALKING about French chic could be described as a cliche, if you’ll pardon the French pun. But Peugeot’s sporty saloon really does deserve that definition.

Sleek, with almost predatory styling, the company seems to have cracked it with its latest intake of designers, as even from the 108 upwards, each model offers something to attract passing attention.

While the current craze for crossover/SUVs continues, this saloon, with It’s low-slung, almost coupe-like lines make it a head turning proposition both on the road and an attractive alternative executive choice on the car park.

Interior space is compromised somewhat by the styling, but it is still a big family saloon with adequate, if not class leading, boot space of 487 litres. Although shallow, it is wide and long.

The car offers sporty performance, while this plug-in hybrid version delivers excellent economy. In addition, the excellent handling makes for an entertaining drive.

“Bucking the crossover trend, this is a real alternative in the executive vehicle class, and a smart looking family saloon to boot.”

It is also packed with high-end equipment, even the entry level model, with the interior offering premium quality finish to fixtures, trim and fittings with a combination of soft touch finish and harder plastics.

While the exterior is classy and features the firm’s signature i-Cockpit control  and now familiar, small steering wheel, piano-style control switches and powered, leather-effect front seats on this model.

It is dominated by a new 10-inch colour touchscreen and Connected 3D Navigation with Tom Tom live updates available, and controls major functions in the car like connectivity and infotainment.

 The central console houses a stubby gear lever and drive selector, which allows three driving modes, from economy to sport. This Allure specification includes front and rear parking sensors and 180˚ reversing camera, 17-inch alloys active and ambient interior lighting.

Safety features include cyclist and pedestrian detection, full LED headlights, automated parking, adaptive cruise control, lane and blind spot assistance.

 The hybrid combination of a 110 hp 1.6 litre petrol engine and 11.8kW electric motor deliver a combined 225bhp for rapid acceleration. On the road, it feels quick and sporty, powering to 60mph in just over eight seconds.

The hybrid combo gives a theoretical combined fuel efficiency of up to 235mpg and CO2 emissions of up to 39g/km under the latest WLTP tests and is capable of up to 39 miles of fully-electric driving at a speed of up to 84mph.

 The firm recommends using a wallbox charger, so the car comes with a Mode 3 Type 2 cable as standard, unless taking up the option of a booster charge cable which will give 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes at certain charging points.

The standard three-pin plug connector can take up to 14 hours. Economy is further enhanced by stop/start technology and regenerative braking. If on a longer journey, and soon to enter a congestion charge zone, the petrol engine can be used to charge the battery. The vehicle can then run on electric within the  zone, thus negating the cost, but with a downside on fuel consumption. 

Driving the car is a pleasure. It delivers sharp handling and feels balanced, agile and assured when cornering while the ride is firmest but comfortable enough for a family on a long trip, even dealing with the worst of our potholed roads, where lumps and bumps are soaked up with relative ease. It is a particularly comfortable place to be on long motorway journeys.

For ease of charging, customers can also download the MyPeugeot app, which will allow them to manage their vehicle charge remotely, precondition the temperature of the vehicle and receive ‘e-Coaching’ on how to benefit most from their vehicle. 

Bucking the crossover trend, this is a real alternative in the executive vehicle class, and a smart looking family saloon to boot.

Factfile

Peugeot 508 Allure hybrid 225 e-EAT8 S&S

Price: £35,945

Mechanical: Combined 225bhp 1598cc, four cylinder petrol engine and 11.8kW electric motor driving front wheels via CVT auto gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-60mph: 8.6 seconds

Combined mpg: 235 (WLTP)

Insurance group: TBC

CO2 emissions: 28-39 g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Motoring news

No switch for electric car owners

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Electric favourites, Kia’s e-Niro and Renault’s Zoe electric city car are proving popular with owners

Less than 1% of drivers want a return to petrol or diesel

Drivers have taken to electric vehicles with a passion, with virtually none looking to switch back to internal combustion engines.

A new poll of Zap-Map’s community of electric vehicle (EV) drivers has revealed  more than 90 per cent of drivers will not be replacing their current EV with a petrol and diesel vehicle.

A spokesman for the RAC said the figures show the momentum that is behind getting drivers into electric vehicles, something that is likely to build as we move closer to the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The results are strong evidence of the fundamental shift in consumer attitudes in favour of environmentally friendly cars. In the poll, which was carried out in November 2020 with over 2,000 respondents, 91 per cent said “no thanks” to replacing their EVs with a petrol or diesel vehicle; and in stark contrast less than one per cent were hankering for a return to fossil fuels. nine per cent said they were not sure.


The majority of respondents were first-time EV drivers, with 73 per cent stating their current vehicle was their first EV, and 52 per cent making the purchase within the last year. Driver satisfaction was notably higher for both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with EV drivers reporting a satisfaction score of 91 out of 100 (BEV 92, PHEV 84), compared with only 72 for petrol or diesel vehicle ownership.

The data overwhelmingly shows the positive impact of the EV experience on drivers who may have become accustomed to loud, inefficient, and dirty fossil fuel vehicles.

EV models which received the highest satisfaction scores included: the Volkswagen ID.3, Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, and BMW 3 Series saloon (all 100); Tesla Model 3 (96); Kia e-Niro (96); and the Hyundai KONA electric (94). Nearly all the models, including popular ones such as the Renault Zoe (92) and Nissan Leaf (90), also achieved high levels of driver commitment.

The survey results come at a time of record-breaking sales for the electric vehicle industry. Latest industry figures show that for the year-to-date 9.7 per cent of all new car sales had a plug, compared to 3.2 per cent in 2019, and 1.1 per cent in 2015.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-Founder of Zap-Map, commented: “Our latest poll shows the strong and enduring impact of switching to a clean car. The evidence in favour of electric vehicles grows more compelling with each one of our surveys, even in a year as disruptive as 2020. 

“The challenge for the automotive industry is to take advantage of the opportunities that EVs present, not only in terms of the rapidly expanding range, but also ensuring that sales staff are knowledgeable enough to present the benefits to their customers. 

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “While the challenge is often convincing owners of petrol and diesel vehicles to switch to an electric vehicle in the first place, this data shows that once people have done so they seldom look back – which is also positive news for manufacturers that are investing heavily in electric vehicles and cleaner technology. 

“While would-be electric car drivers might worry about range anxiety, they should also be aware that the number public charge points is increasing rapidly and infrastructure continues to improve. They should also remember that the vast majority of their journeys are unlikely to be over several hundred miles meaning that for day-to-day travel, operating an electric vehicle is a clean and cost-effective option.

“These figures show the momentum that is behind getting drivers into electric vehicles, something that is likely to build as we move closer to the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. We are doing our bit in giving drivers confidence they can make the switch, with 80 of our patrol vans now fitted with mobile emergency charging units, and half our fleet fitted with All-Wheels-Up recovery systems, removing the need for drivers to wait for a flatbed if they need a tow.”