After some teasers and a concept version in 2019, the 2021 Peugeot 508 PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) has been revealed as the fastest production car that PSA (Peugeot Citroen) has ever produced. Combining a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and two electric motors, the 508 Sport Engineered produces 270kW of power and 520Nm of torque – 2kW less but 10Nm more than the twin-turbo V6 Kia Stinger.
Not yet confirmed for Australian release, the 2021 Peugeot 508 PSE will be available in both liftback-cum-sedan and wagon bodystyles and will be the first of a number of performance models from the brand’s new Peugeot Sport Engineered sub brand – expect a 208 PSE, 308 PSE and even SUV models like a 2008 PSE and 3008 PSE in the future.
Under the bonnet of the 508 Sport Engineered is the same 147kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the normal 508, matched to the same eight-speed auto gearbox. In addition to the petrol engine are an 81kW front and 83kW rear electric motor, which enables all-wheel drive, and in total the drivetrain produces 270kW and 520Nm.
The 0-100km/h sprint is dealt with in a quick 5.2 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 250km/h. Those figures don’t tell the whole story though as the 508 PSE (as it’s otherwise known) sprints from 80 to 120km/h in just three seconds flat – on par with the new BMW M3 also revealed this week.
The power for the batteries comes from a 11.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can be recharged in under seven hours using a 240V household wall socket – though with a 32-amp wallbox, this falls to under two hours. The 508 PSE is rated at just 2.03L/100km on the new WLTP fuel consumption cycle with CO2 emissions of just 46g/km – an all-electric range of 42km is possible, according to the same test cycle.
Peugeot has made a number of chassis tweaks to the 508 in its transformation to the Sport Engineered, including new adaptive dampers, 24mm front and 12mm rear wider tracks, new 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and even 380mm front disc brakes with four-piston callipers.
The 2021 Peugeot 508 PSE also looks sportier than the 508 GT that sits below it – there’s unique front, side and rear styling, as well as an aggressive rear diffuser, dual exhaust tips and even winglets on the front, side and rear skirts. Inside the PSE, changes include a new flat-bottomed steering wheel, half leather/suede sports seats, lime green contrast stitching, a heads-up display, a Focal sound system and the brand’s 12.3-inch ‘i-Cockpit’ digital driver’s display.
Standard active safety kit is generous, just like the regular 508 – auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, night vision cameras, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear auto braking and lane keep assist are all standard equipment.
The 2021 Peugeot 508 PSE is yet to be confirmed for Australian sales, though we’re hoping that Peugeot’s local distributor earns enough interest from potential buyers to bring it here.
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