Peugeot 508 RXH Diesel-Electric Hybrid Car from Peugeot

Here comes Peugeot’s next big sedan. A classic four-door, it’s the same size as a Camry, but it won’t be sold in the United States. The car is made and designed for Europe first. There will also be a chinese version, built in China, but if Peugeot would choose to make its reentry in the US, this 508 would be a very nice model to start with, and here’s why. 189-inches long, the 508 is the perfect size for a family car.A diesel hybrid engine is the stand-out feature of Peugeot’s surprise attempt to take a slice of the market inhabited by the Audi Allroad and Volvo Cross-Country.
The four-wheel-drive 508 RXH is the latest, very different, variant of Peugeot’s recently-launched 508 large family car range.
The French brand clearly expects the car to propel it into previously uncharted territories, like Citroën with the DS line looking to the premium sector for conquest sales.
The 508 RXH uses the 2-litre diesel hybrid powertrain first seen in the 3008 Hybrid4 that is due in showrooms later this year. Rated at 200bhp, it includes an all-electric zero emissions mode for city driving.
This helps slice the car’s overall CO2 emissions rating to 109g/km, alongside a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 67.2mpg – in a car that boasts full four-wheel-drive.
While not giving away too much in the way of detail at this stage, Peugeot says that the 508 RXH is higher and wider than the 508 SW that it is based upon – the extra width no doubt coming courtesy of beefed up wheelarches.
In a clear targeting of premium buyers, the car will feature distinct LED daylight running lights in three vertical ‘Lion’s claws’ each side of the grille.
Equipment levels will include such niceties as keyless open and go, electric front seats, a head-up display, quality audio and sat nav and 18-inch alloy well as standard.
The 508 RXH will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and arrive in showrooms in Spring 2012.