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AKE a good look at the car above – at first glance a top of the range Audi or Jaguar? Well no, actually, this is the new multi award-winning Peugeot 508.

Yes that’s right, it is a Peugeot – and it’s also a bit of a looker. I have been lucky enough to have tested many exotic or just released cars over the years and so am used to people stopping taking pictures.

But I never thought Peugeot would produce a car that had the same effect – more than once when I left the 508 parked-up I returned to find someone taking a quick picture.

Also I got a few ‘nice car mate’ comments, lots of looks on the road and it even caused a bit of a stir on the M.E.N car park - where they are used to seeing all manner of vehicles in my parking space.

So exactly what is the new 508? It is Peugeot’s flagship executive saloon, released earlier this year, and the first one I have seen ‘in the flesh.’ A direct rival to well-specced German executive saloons but for a lot less money – several thousand pounds less than an equivalent Mercedes or Audi (although more than a Mondeo or Insignia).

And when I say well specced the kit list is long and interesting. Top of that list is night vision – a system using the front parking camera