Hybrid mix of style and substance

WE RECKON the Peugot 508 is one of the most stylish cars you can buy today, and it has certainly helped this French brand to move steadily upmarket.

Going head-to-head with the likes of the Volkswagen Passat and Vauxhall Insignia, this sleek fastback has certainly impressed since it arrived in 2018, though it has never proven hugely popular. Is that set to change with a new company car-friendly plug-in hybrid? We’ve been behind the wheel to find out.

All that’s new is the powertrain. While this PHEV powertrain is new for the 508, it’s one that’s used widely across Peugeot itself, as well as sister brands Vauxhall and Citroen.

Combining a turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor, it produces 222bhp in all. That allows for 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and a top of 155mph.

It also uses an 11.8kWh battery which, when charged, allows for a claimed electric range of 33-39 miles. During our winter test run, though, this figure was more like

25 miles. Charge the battery regularly (it takes less than two hours with a 7kW charger) and there’s scope for some very low running costs; Peugeot claims around 200mpg, along with CO2 emissions of 33g/km.

A superb cruiser, it feels refined and supple even at higher speeds.

Even in the Sport driving mode, though, it never feels especially engaging, while there’s a certain amount of hesitancy to the eight-speed automatic gearbox when you’re trying to press on.

The switch between electric and petrol power is largely seamless.

The hybrid skips the entrylevel Active model and goes straight into the Allure grade.

The hybrid costs £2,000 more than a regular petrol model. Prices start from £34,945 for the Allure and rise to £40,695 for the top-spec GT.

It is easy to recommend.