Category Archives: Family hatchback

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

Family hatchback, Motor reviews, Volkswagen

New Golf better than ever

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Volkswagen Golf 8

By Bill McCarthy

THE iconic Golf has now been around since 1974. A runaway success that has endured for decades with its combination of quality, practicality and reliability, not to mention a few technical firsts.

 The latest, eighth generation, is a bit of a leap forward in design and tech. A new car, still unmistakably a Golf, but with sharper styling, leaner, more efficient engines  and an innovative interior with state-of-the-art technology.

Usually the reserve of more expensive and larger models, these can include a head-up display, adjustable ambient lighting with 32 colour options, and the ability to use a mobile phone as the vehicle key

It is still an excellent drive, with pin sharp steering and first class handling and has the  desirability that challenges even the more upmarket German models.

The Golf 8 will, says VW, eventually have the widest selection of engines in its class, the most efficient of these offering a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 17per cent compared with the outgoing car. These include petrol, cleaner diesels, mild and full hybrid.

Still based on the firm’s MQB platform,  it is slightly longer than the outgoing model but with virtually the same wheelbase, however the new slippery design means the Cd or drag figure is reduced, making it the most efficient yet. Essentially boot and passenger space remain pretty much the same. 

 As ever, there are myriad variations with new trims and engine choices, from  Life, Style and  R-Line at the top end. Even the entry Life model has an upgrade on standard kit than the previous equivalent model with smart alloys, electric windows and door mirrors, parking sensors, central instrument panel and multimedia touchscreen.

The Style driven here additionally offers 17-inch  alloy, front sports seats, bespoke interior trim and upholstery, climate control, door mirror puddle lights and LED headlights including cornering function and ‘Style’ exterior badging.

It is an altogether sexier looking model than predecessors, with swooping bonnet and narrow front grille flanked by LED headlights, with the signature VW badge centre, and a large air scoop below. To the rear, the word Golf is emblazoned on the boot, the sign of a company’s confidence in its product.

The so-called digital Innovision Cockpit is standard across the range and includes 10-inch display, and online navigation, connectivity and infotainment system within the additional 10-inch touch-screen display. It does take a bit of getting used to, a bit like the Peugeot 308’s digital screen, with a lack of buttons. The centre console has touch pad sliders for the air conditioning system and infotainment system. 

This mid-range model featured the 150PS, TSI petrol engine which delivers plenty of power, but excellent economy. It’s not all that long ago that the thought of a petrol engine of this size delivering around 50mpg would have seemed improbable. A sign of how petrol engine technology has moved on. 

It’s lively and can hit 60mph in just over eight seconds, plenty of pace for most needs and on to a top speed of 139mph where permitted. Mated to the usual slick VW six-speed gearbox, it delivers instant acceleration and has enough torque for effortless overtaking on the motorway.

It also handles beautifully, the suspension reacting expertly to changes in road conditions and it feels stable and well-planted while cornering.

Technology includes a raft of safety kit, plus it is also the first VW to use the Car2X car-to-car wireless communication technology.

This enables the vehicle to exchange information between other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure and can exchange data about hazards on the road ahead, for example broken-down vehicles, traffic jams or even approaching emergency services 

Still practical, there Is plenty of room for five people, along with a 381-litre luggage capacity. When the asymmetrical  rear seat backrest is folded down, the load capacity increases to a maximum of 1,237 litres.

The best Golf so far so, after more than four decades, perhaps the last word should go to Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of VW Passenger Cars: “A Golf always remains a Golf because the underlying concept is timeless.”  

Volkswagen Golf Style 1.5 TSI

Price: £25,230

Mechanical: 150PS, 1,498cc, four cylinder turbo charged petrol engine driving front wheels  via six speed gearbox

Insurance: 20E

Max speed: 139mph

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 50.2

CO2 emissions: 125g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles