New Peugeot 508 set to revolutionise Sri Lanka’s premium car market

• The latest award-winning saloon from Peugeot balances sports-oriented design and dynamics with premium interiors and features

Peugeot’s all-new premium sports saloon is now in Sri Lanka. The latest Peugeot 508 is a radical departure for the saloon-car segment, with aggressive styling and sleek design elements combined into a scintillating package. 

The new 508 promises to be a compelling entrant to the market, backed with the confidence instilled by a comprehensive three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and comprehensive maintenance package.

The new 508 has been designed to grab attention. A bold front fascia, dominated by an intricate, chrome checkerboard grille flanked by full-LED headlights, is paired with a lower, sleeker silhouette that straddles the line between a practical saloon and sporty coupe. The aim in the design of the 508 was to intentionally move away from the traditional boxy saloon, and so the designers did away with the conventional boot lid, embracing the fastback design language.

Elements such as a lowered bonnet, frameless doors and opalescent LED daytime running lights provide a distinct, exclusive identity. The 508 has been designed to appeal from every angle, with the attention to detail underscoring Peugeot’s move upmarket. 

The European design language has translated into an unmistakable, attention-grabbing sports saloon, and has firmly placed the 508 in the premium car segment.

Inside the new 508, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit has transformed what was thought possible with automotive interiors. Stepping into the cabin, a resolutely high-end instrument panel forms the control centre of the i-Cockpit, which incorporates a compact multifunction sports-steering wheel, a large 8” or 10” HD touch screen and a heads-up instrument cluster with another high-resolution 12.3” digital screen.

The cockpit, as alluring as it may seem, is not simply a case of form over function. Each element has been ergonomically designed with the driver in mind. For instance, the heads-up display includes all necessary driving information, ensuring that the need to take your eyes off the road is kept to a minimum. 

The capacitive touchscreen is placed at eye level and is accompanied by seven piano-key inspired toggle switches that give direct access to features such as the audio, air-conditioning, telephone, navigation (when paired with a compatible phone) and vehicle settings. The interior ambience is adjustable to user preference, with customisable settings designed to awaken the senses via ambient lighting and screen colours. Turn-by-turn GPS navigation with voice control is possible with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.The 508 does all this while remaining true to its dynamic DNA. With a 1.6-litre engine coupled with a Tiptronic automatic transmission, it will remain unstressed and eager to perform, with plenty of punch throughout the rev range, courtesy of 163 bhp. The Peugeot 508 is backed by a comprehensive three-year worry-free package. It incorporates Carmart’s industry-first maintenance package which includes all parts, consumables and associated labour for three years or 60,000 km, ensuring peace of mind when committing to this world-renowned marque. Combined with the three-year or 60,000 km factory warranty, the only running costs for the first three years should be fuel and insurance.