New Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered 2021 detailed: BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival powers up with hybrid

Peugeot has released further details of its performance-focused plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the svelte 508 mid-size sedan and wagon, more than 18 months after the concept was unveiled at last year’s Geneva motor show.

While a spokesman at Peugeot Australia says it is too early to confirm the 508 Sport Engineered for Australia, it is hopeful that a small number may arrive here by the end of next year.

Released under the company’s new ‘Peugeot Sport Engineered’ (PSE) sub brand, the 508 PHEV has a 150kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine up front, accompanied by two 150kW electric motors on each axle, enabling all-wheel-drive capability.

Along with 42km of pure-electric motivation at up to 140km/h, the upshot is a substantial performance lift over the regular 508, delivering 265kW of power and 520Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h sprint-time of 5.2 seconds, on the way to an electronically limited 250km/h V-max.

Underlining the instantaneous response of the hybrid powertrain, the French company is also claiming an 80-120km/h acceleration time of just 3.0s.

The 508 PHEV has a 150kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, accompanied by two 150kW electric motors.

Conversely, the 508 PHEV averages 2.03 litres per 100km for a 46 gram per kilometre carbon dioxide emissions rating, according to the WLTP protocol.

Peugeot reckons the newcomer requires under seven hours using a regular household socket, four hours on a 16-amp plug and less than two hours on an optional 32A Wall Box to charge.

Aiding this performance is a thorough reworking of the current 508’s EMP2 architecture, which sees the adoption of PSE-enhanced three-mode adaptive dampers offering Comfort, Hybrid and Sport settings, wider front (+24mm) and rear (+12mm) tracks, a significant brake boost that includes 380mm front discs with fixed four-piston callipers, and 20-inch lightweight alloys shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Read More About Peugeot 508

Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered concept revealed

Sport mode, by the way, alters the electric power steering, dampers and throttle and engine mapping, for more urgent responses.

A lowered driver’s seat is also fitted, to amplify the racier nature of the 508 PHEV.

Crucially, as the EMP2 was designed for electrification, there is no decrease in interior space or boot volumes compared to the regular 508s, despite the introduction of two electric motors and a battery pack.

Visually, you can spot the 508 Sport PHEV by its deeper front bumper and sharper grille treatments, PSE ‘Kryptonite’ claw motifs on the sides, blacked-out exhaust and diffuser finish, and bespoke alloy wheel design. Colours are Selenium grey, Perla Nera black and Pearl white.

Read More About Peugeot 508

Peugeot 508 Sport confirmed for production

Further differentiation over regular 508s can be found in the PHEV’s instrumentation showing the PSE Claws with special graphics and animations, seat upholstery is finished in a leather/mesh/Alcantara blend, there’s unique stitching and an audio upgrade.

European-market production commences next month, with sales rolling out soon after.

More information, including possible Australian timing, will be released later on.