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WATCH: Peugeot to unveil its electric high-performance 508 Sport Engineered concept car at Geneva

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<i>Image: Newspress</i>
<i>Image: Newspress</i>

Peugeot will unveil the high-performance 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered concept at the Geneva International Motor Show as the brand’s electrification strategy gathers pace.

The Peugeot Sport team confirmed plans to develop a range of high-performance electric vehicles last year and the new concept car is the first step on the journey towards electrification.

Electric performance

The Peugeot experts took the 508 Hybrid as a starting point and enhanced its design, performance and efficiency.

WATCH: Peugeot's new 508 luxury sedan

An advanced PureTech 200 engine and 82kW electric motor drive the front wheels and a separate 150kW electric motor powers the rear.

The four-wheel driven 508 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds and hit a mechanically limited top speed of 250km/h.

This electric performance is underpinned by an 11.8kWh battery, which gives the car a zero-emission range of up to 50km when switched to 100% electric mode and CO2 emissions of 49g/km, on the WLTP test protocols, when in Hybrid mode.

Peugeot 508

                                                                    Image: Newspress

When the concept car makes its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show, its redesigned front bumper, which incorporates a 3D-printed valance designed to direct incoming air towards the radiator and new rear diffuser, are just some of the exterior enhancements.

Specially designed finishes

It also has enhanced aerodynamics, with flaps fitted to the subframes to reduce aerodynamic drag and streamlined winglets located on the quarter panels, where GT Line and GT monograms usually reside. This helps to smooth the flow of air.

Adding to the car’s character, it comes with a specially designed 'Selenium Grey' paint finish which changes in the light and carbon fibre door mirrors, while the iconic Lion badge features the distinctive anodised finish first seen on the Peugeot e-Legend concept car.

Peugeot 508

                                                                         Image: Newspress

To maximise driving pleasure, the car comes fitted with new "comfort fit" seats created with leather and Alcantara upholstery with Kryptonite and Onyx Black overstitching enhancing the bold design.

Inside, the concept car is designed to maximise comfort and efficiency with a touch-sensitive gear lever fitted with an Alcantara section and a sporty asymmetrical compact steering wheel covered in Alcantara and carbon fibre inserts.

Peugeot 508 badge

                                                                        Image: Newspress

The lower section of the compact steering wheel brings the design cues of the concept model straight to the driver’s fingertips with three Peugeot Sport Engineered lines alternating in Kryptonite and Onyx Black overstitching.

Next gen cockpit

The Alcantara design continues through to the roof, A-pillars and quarter panels, providing excellent visibility augmented by the innovative Peugeot i-Cockpit, which gives drivers intuitive access to the latest onboard technology.

The cabin comes fitted with Kryptonite finishing around the door handles and dashboard, along with an all Kryptonite 10" capacitive HD touch screen and 12.3" head-up digital instrument display panel.

Peugeot 508

                                                                        Image: Newspress

The innovative concept car marks the beginning of an important year for Peugeot, as it begins making the transition towards a fully electrified range. 

Peugeot has committed to providing an electrified version across its entire range by 2023, with the first commercial Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) model set to arrive later this year.

With a rich sporting heritage including the 908 HDI FAP and 3008 DKR, which triumphed in the Le Mans 24-hour race and Dakar Rally respectively, Peugeot Sport is able to tap into a legacy of proven performance cars to inspire the engineering behind the 508.

Peugeot 508

                                                                     Image: Newspress

"Electrification provides a marvellous opportunity to develop new driving sensations," says Jean-Philippe Imparato, Peugeot Brand CEO.

"We are creating a "neo-performance", new energy sources, new features, new territories, new challenges....sheer pleasure for only 49g of CO2/km," he adds.

"The work of everyone at Peugeot involved in developing our electric dream is starting to move faster than we ever thought possible," said David Peel, Managing Director of Peugeot UK.

"The 508 concept shows what is possible and gives us a taste of things to come over the next five years as we continue the path towards the electrification of our entire line-up," Peel concludes.

Tying in with Peugeot’s #unboringthefuture ambitions, the concept will be unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show.

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