Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid 2.0 HYbrid4 EGC (A) Review
28 Apr 2014|20,032 views
PSA Peugeot Citroen has been at the forefront of engine efficiency for years and is also hailed as the first to make the important diesel particulate filter a standard fitment in cars, starting with the Peugeot 607 in the year 2000.
More than 10 years later, Peugeot has a new model that is a rolling showcase of the brand's green initiative and is also positioned as its top-of-the-line prestige model.
Introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and based on the popular 508 SW, the 508 RXH is essentially a diesel hybrid model with four-wheel drive as well as a full electric mode.
Up close and Personal
Growing a little bit in size, the 508 RXH stands at 4,823mm by 1,864mm by 1,521mm (L x W x H), which is 10mm longer, 11mm wider and 45mm taller than the regular 508 SW.
Peugeot has also beefed up the looks of the handsome-looking 508 SW without compromising on its elegance and poise.
The front end has been tweaked to make the car more expressive with an improved grille and LED daytime running lights in the enhanced front bumper.
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Inside, the car is littered with soft touch materials, as well as plenty of brushed aluminium and piano black trim for a thoroughly premium look and feel.
But finding a button from the cluttered and complicated centre console can get a little tricky at times.
Otherwise, occupants have good space all round. Plus, with the plush Nappa/Alcantara leather seats, the car's got pretty much everything you need for a comfortable driving experience.
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The Drive
Driving 163bhp and 300Nm of torque to the front wheels is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. On the other hand, the rear wheels are powered by a 27kW electric motor that produces 37bhp and constant torque of 100Nm, up to a peak of 200Nm.
This unique combination is mated to the familiar six-speed semi-automatic Electronic Gearbox Control (EGC) transmission, where gear shifts tend to get a little sluggish at the lower range.
Fortunately, the lumpish feeling here seems to be minimised by the hybrid setup unless you get a little impatient with it.
If you're expecting outstanding efficiency from the diesel hybrid offering, you may be in for a little disappointment. The Pug returned 10.8km/L during our test drive - far from the 24km/L as claimed.
Although the 508 RXH is bigger and heavier than the standard 508 SW, it still handles in a pretty nifty way, staying neat and secure in corners.
The level of comfort and refinement also remains largely the same, with a pliant ride and a good level of sound insulation.
The 508 RXH can be driven in four modes - Auto, Sport, 4WD or ZEV. Auto is the recommended mode for day-to-day driving while Sport mode helps to provide more oomph. 4WD will continuously power the front and rear wheels.
There's also the full electric ZEV mode, which would do well in the event of a traffic jam. But as soon as the charge gets too low, the diesel seamlessly kicks into life.
Conclusion
The 508 RXH is a car people will ask you about. They will probably be interested to hear about the technology under the beautiful sheet metal, and they will most likely be impressed by it.
But it wouldn't be so impressive when they ask you about the purchase details. At a rather steep $224,900 (as at 24th April 2014), the car is only available for sale on an indent basis.
PSA Peugeot Citroen has been at the forefront of engine efficiency for years and is also hailed as the first to make the important diesel particulate filter a standard fitment in cars, starting with the Peugeot 607 in the year 2000.
More than 10 years later, Peugeot has a new model that is a rolling showcase of the brand's green initiative and is also positioned as its top-of-the-line prestige model.
Introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and based on the popular 508 SW, the 508 RXH is essentially a diesel hybrid model with four-wheel drive as well as a full electric mode.
Up close and Personal
Growing a little bit in size, the 508 RXH stands at 4,823mm by 1,864mm by 1,521mm (L x W x H), which is 10mm longer, 11mm wider and 45mm taller than the regular 508 SW.
Peugeot has also beefed up the looks of the handsome-looking 508 SW without compromising on its elegance and poise.
The front end has been tweaked to make the car more expressive with an improved grille and LED daytime running lights in the enhanced front bumper.
Inside, the car is littered with soft touch materials, as well as plenty of brushed aluminium and piano black trim for a thoroughly premium look and feel.
But finding a button from the cluttered and complicated centre console can get a little tricky at times.
Otherwise, occupants have good space all round. Plus, with the plush Nappa/Alcantara leather seats, the car's got pretty much everything you need for a comfortable driving experience.
The Drive
Driving 163bhp and 300Nm of torque to the front wheels is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. On the other hand, the rear wheels are powered by a 27kW electric motor that produces 37bhp and constant torque of 100Nm, up to a peak of 200Nm.
This unique combination is mated to the familiar six-speed semi-automatic Electronic Gearbox Control (EGC) transmission, where gear shifts tend to get a little sluggish at the lower range.
Fortunately, the lumpish feeling here seems to be minimised by the hybrid setup unless you get a little impatient with it.
If you're expecting outstanding efficiency from the diesel hybrid offering, you may be in for a little disappointment. The Pug returned 10.8km/L during our test drive - far from the 24km/L as claimed.
Although the 508 RXH is bigger and heavier than the standard 508 SW, it still handles in a pretty nifty way, staying neat and secure in corners.
Driving 163bhp and 300Nm of torque to the front wheels is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. On the other hand, the rear wheels are powered by a 27kW electric motor that produces 37bhp and constant torque of 100Nm, up to a peak of 200Nm.
This unique combination is mated to the familiar six-speed semi-automatic Electronic Gearbox Control (EGC) transmission, where gear shifts tend to get a little sluggish at the lower range.
Fortunately, the lumpish feeling here seems to be minimised by the hybrid setup unless you get a little impatient with it.
If you're expecting outstanding efficiency from the diesel hybrid offering, you may be in for a little disappointment. The Pug returned 10.8km/L during our test drive - far from the 24km/L as claimed.
Although the 508 RXH is bigger and heavier than the standard 508 SW, it still handles in a pretty nifty way, staying neat and secure in corners.
The level of comfort and refinement also remains largely the same, with a pliant ride and a good level of sound insulation.
The 508 RXH can be driven in four modes - Auto, Sport, 4WD or ZEV. Auto is the recommended mode for day-to-day driving while Sport mode helps to provide more oomph. 4WD will continuously power the front and rear wheels.
There's also the full electric ZEV mode, which would do well in the event of a traffic jam. But as soon as the charge gets too low, the diesel seamlessly kicks into life.
Conclusion
The 508 RXH is a car people will ask you about. They will probably be interested to hear about the technology under the beautiful sheet metal, and they will most likely be impressed by it.
But it wouldn't be so impressive when they ask you about the purchase details. At a rather steep $224,900 (as at 24th April 2014), the car is only available for sale on an indent basis.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid 2.0 HYbrid4 EGC (A)
CAT B|Diesel|24km/L
Horsepower
149kW (200 bhp)
Torque
450 Nm
Acceleration
9.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid
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