“It’s not just the SUV in life,” Laurent Blanchet, director of the brand’s product, told AFP Peugeot. Sedans have clearly lost ground in the last decade in the face of growth in the city 4×4 market.
32 000 euros for 225 horses
But they retain benefits in terms of fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions, due to a better aerodynamic profile and lighter weight. And there are still fans of these lower and more sporty lines. The Peugeot 508, sold starting from 32,000 euros, will be equipped from next year with a “plug-in hybrid” version combining a petrol engine, an electric motor allowing 50 km of autonomy without CO2 emission, for a power of 225 horses.
This model, which will also be broken down into a specific, longer version for China, should sell 60% to a clientele of companies, for whom the cost of use is a major criterion, explained Mr. Blanchet. He stressed the style efforts to give the model “a very attractive line, inspired by coupe sedans”. The sales target posted is rather modest: 35,000 to 40,000 cars a year in Europe. But, beyond, this large sedan must sit the image of the brand to the lion.
“We also have an image objective”, this car “will come to cap” the product offer of Peugeot “with a notion of upscale,” said Mr. Blanchet.Il recognizes that the second European manufacturer clearly aims at German premium brands. “In recent years, they have dominated the market” of large sedans, he admits.
The old 508 sold more than 90% in diesel version. Peugeot estimates that this share will be between 70 and 80% for the new model, while these engines are increasingly singled out in the public debate.