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FireFlyz | 67
of suppleness and sportiness. Typical of
a Peugeot, the 508 has excellent wheel
control over bumpy roads yet allows you
to corner hard before the 235/45 R18 tyres
squeal in protest. It’s entirely possible
to keep up with performance-oriented
hatchbacks on your favourite winding
road, except the 508 will be carrying five
in comfort.
The interior has come in for some
minor updates. The i-Drive like controller
has disappeared with a touch-screen
interface now commanding your
attention. The move has cleaned up the
dashboard and centre console a touch
but the 508 still looks like it’s half a
generation behind the smaller 208 and
308 THP. This is confirmed the moment
you get into the driver’s seat because
it’s completely conventional, unlike the
wheel in my lap driving position of the
other two.
As with every Peugeot sold inMalaysia,
the kit list is long and impressive. No
other D-segment rival has got more
equipment and in most cases, you’d be
hard pressed to find more toys on cars
costing twice as much. For RM175,000
this car is an absolute steal.
However, you and I and Peugeot all
know it’ll be a hard sell. Objectively, there
are loads of good reasons to buy the 508
THP but buyers have long memories and
building brand equity takes a very long
time. Is it fair to the car? Of course not but
at the end of the day, an excellent product
is no guarantee of sales success.
Factf ile
Peugeot 508 THP
PriceMalaysia:
RM175,000
0-100km/h:
9.2 secs
Top speed:
220km/h
Engine:
Inline-4, 1598cc, turbocharged
Installation:
Front, transverse, FWD
Power:
163bhp at 6000rpm
Torque:
240Nmat 1450rpm
Fuel consumption:
14.1km/l
Gearbox:
6-speed automatic
Kerbweight:
1552kg
Wheelbase:
2817mm
Length:
4830mm
Width:
1828mm
Height:
1456mm
Brakes (f/r):
Ventilated disc / solid disc
Tyres (f/r):
235/45 R18
The number corresponds to power so
we’re talking about 163bhp along with
an unchanged torque figure of 240Nm
from 1450-4250rpm. Power is directed
to the front wheels via an Aisin six-speed
auto with paddle and sequential manual
shifters, though rather oddly, Peugeot
claims similar performance figures to the
old car. 0-100km/h takes 9.2 seconds with
a 220km/h top speed while fuel economy
is rated at 13km/L.
Behind the wheel, you don’t really feel
the added power of the improved engine.
Peugeot’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four has
always punched above its weight and
has enough torque to keep up with rivals
sporting larger engines. Surprisingly, it
doesn’t give away anything in terms of
refinement and maintains its composure
even at high revs, which can also be said
of the smooth shifting gearbox. It slurs
perfectly when going up and down its
ratios and reacts intuitively to the way
you drive.
Up the pace on a winding road and
you’ll be glad Peugeot specified fixed shift
paddles and a sequential shift pattern
for the gearbox. There are no holes in
the torque band to fill per se but the
added control afforded by changing gears
manually makes it easier to set up the
508 THP for corners. And you’ll use it
too because this car is capable travelling
at a very decent clip.
From the eager engine to the quick
gearbox, everything gels with a nicely set
up chassis that has just the right amount