Here is that massive press-release verbatim:
The New PEUGEOT 508: the radical saloon!
Thu, 22/02/2018 - 01:00The new PEUGEOT 508 changes everything. Its structure is more compact and
its height reduced. The new exterior design is sharper and more robust,
while the car’s spectacular interior includes an evolution of the iconic
PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®. Its exemplary road-handling, new engines, countless
technology features and quantum leap in quality means the new PEUGEOT
508 sets a world class standard within the D-segment and further
supports the Brand’s upmarket strategy.
“The new PEUGEOT 508 is finally here! Following the success of our latest
major launches and our SUV offensive with the PEUGEOT 2008, 3008 and
5008 models, we needed a vision for the large PEUGEOT saloon that would
continue to shake up the market with a vehicle that rivals the best. And
in D-segment cars, we’re competing with the world’s greatest
automakers. More than ever, the new PEUGEOT 508 embodies the ambition
we’ve been stating for several years already: to make PEUGEOT the top
high-end generalist automotive brand.”Jean-Philippe IMPARATO, PEUGEOT CEO
A changing concept for a changing segment
In the European market, the traditional D-segment saloon has been stagnant
for the last four years, after more than a decade of decline. Under
pressure from a diverse range of customer preferences and designs,
especially from the SUV market, the large saloon now only finds favour
through offering wider variety and adopting a more pronounced identity, .
It was against this backdrop that the designers behind the new PEUGEOT 508
stated their clear aim: to move away from the conventional boot-lid,
four-door shape and towards a five-door fastback coupé-saloon.
A bold design
“The design of the new PEUGEOT 508 completes an entirely revamped range. It
benefits from all the stylistic features we included in our latest
concept cars like the PEUGEOT Exalt and the PEUGEOT Instinct. The
i-Cockpit® in the new PEUGEOT 508 is actually taken directly from the
Exalt concept car.”
Gilles VIDAL, PEUGEOT Director of Design
At first glance, the new PEUGEOT 508 surprises onlookers with an energetic and expressive presence. The
car’s height has been reduced – it now barely reaches 1.40 m – and the
aerodynamic lines of the vehicle are reminiscent of the coupé style.
The front end is impressive, even aggressive.
The finely fashioned, radiator grill with chrome-plated chequerboard
asserts itself between the Full LED headlights, inspiration for which
was drawn straight from the brand’s latest concept car: PEUGEOT
Instinct. With the famous lion centred on its radiator grill and the 508
logo upon the nose of the bonnet, the new PEUGEOT 508 pays tribute to
its acclaimed predecessors, the PEUGEOT 504 and 504 coupé.
The vertical visual signature of the opalescent LED daytime running lights
provides a distinct, exclusive identity. Sharp and slender, they frame
the car’s front end, running from the headlights to the bumper’s air
intakes.
The horizontal bonnet has been lowered as much as possible to enhance the dynamism of the new PEUGEOT 508
and the overall silhouette has been designed to appeal from every
angle. This attention to bodywork design is usually reserved for the
most premium of vehicles. All of these standout features at the front
of the new PEUGEOT 508 culminate to give the car a real sense of quality
and character, all of which are perfectly aligned with modern PEUGEOT
design language.
The roof line of the new PEUGEOT 508 is low and sleek, following the premium sector design cues. The car appears compact: its length is limited to 4.75 m, vs 4.83m of the outgoing car, for improved manoeuvrability. The low glazed surfaces further sharpen the car’s outline and reveal frameless doors.
Nothing spoils the model’s silhouette: there is no conventional overlap
of the bonnet, glazing support and door frames; gap and flush-fitting
have been reduced in size with first-class know-how; the wheels have
been adjusted to perfectly fill the wheel arches; and the roof aerial
has been removed (now silk-screened). PEUGEOT has utilised its expert
knowledge to maximise the car’s aesthetic appeal and quality.
Spanning the rear end and framed between the rear lights is the glossy black horizontal strip that now characterises PEUGEOT’s latest vehicles. Yet what immediately stand out are the three-dimensional Full LED rear lights.
Taken straight from the design of the most recent PEUGEOT concept cars
and first seen on Quartz, these lights, which are illuminated throughout
the night and day with adaptive intensity, make the coloured
claws constantly visible. To further impress, these iconic lights will
differ in appearance depending on side or full rear view. They are instantly identifiable and a clear signature of the brand.
The
back of the car also reveals an original feature of the new PEUGEOT
508: a deftly hidden tailgate that blends elegance with practicality and
gives optimal access to the 487-litre boot. (See detailed description on page 12).
