Peugeot still won’t confirm when the updated 508 is coming to Australia, but it’s set to be plug-in hybrid-only.
In announcing pricing for the new 508 GT Sportwagon Plug-In Hybrid – a pre-facelift model arriving after the facelifted model was revealed – the company confirmed petrol 508s were getting the axe for model year 2023 as the range is “refined”.
A Peugeot Australia spokesperson has subsequently issued a statement, which appears to pour cold water on the petrol models returning come update time.
“The ICE variants of the 508 have been retired for MY23 in support of our continued electrification journey. There are no current plans for the introduction of new variants to our current 508 line-up at this stage,” said the spokesperson.
The company has also confirmed there’s stock “readily available” of MY23 plug-in hybrid models, as well as some limited MY22 stock if you’re still after a petrol model.
The 508’s PHEV variants offer the same features as their petrol counterparts, but come with a price tag almost $20,000 higher.
Last year, of the 130 508s Peugeot sold in Australia, just 19 were plug-in hybrids.
The 508 was the second worst-selling vehicle in its segment, ahead of only the Honda Accord (96 sales). It has now been pushed into a new segment in VFACTS due to its price, which puts it in the company of other slow sellers like the Jaguar XE.
-
Facelifted 2024 508
For 2024, the 508 is getting a bold new face with a frameless grille, Peugeot’s new logo and three-pronged LED daytime running lights.
There’s also revised lighting and badging at the rear, new colours and, inside the cabin, a new gear selector and infotainment system.
But Peugeot Australia is being coy about just when it will arrive here.
“Information on anticipated local arrival timings for the Australian market will be announced in due course,” the company spokesperson said.
The outgoing 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine produces 165kW of power and 300Nm of torque.
It doesn’t feature in the 2024 range globally, though there is a 163kW turbo 2.0-litre four for markets like Asia and the Middle East that would theoretically be a good fit for our market.
In Europe, the updated range offers three different plug-in hybrid options, including a new ‘180’ with a 110kW petrol engine and 81kW electric motor, as well as the sporty all-wheel drive Peugeot Sport Engineered model that remains off the table for Australia.
Currently, the only plug-in hybrid powertrain offered in the 508 locally comprises a 133kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with an 81kW/320Nm electric motor and 11.8kWh lithium battery for total system outputs of 165kW and 360Nm.
Drive is sent to the front axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and WLTP-certified electric range listed at 55km.
The Sportwagon is priced at $82,915 before on-road costs, while the liftback rings up at $81,610 before on-roads.
MORE: Everything Peugeot 508
