Peugeot unveils the 508

The 508 is based on the '5 By Peugeot' concept car that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will go head to head with rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. Available in sedan and estate forms, the car features Peugeot's new and more subtle design language first previewed on the SR1 sports concept, and is set to be a feature on future Peugeots.

The new 508 uses the same platform as the Citroen C5 and the outgoing 407 model, and measures 4790mm long, which is exactly 100mm longer than the 407 and 100mm shorter than the 607 that it both replaces. The 508 Estate is slightly longer than the sedan, measuring in at 4810mm.

Peugeot did not release any details about drivetrains available for the 508, but confirmed that there will be a HYbrid4 version that will be launched around 2011. The 508 HYbrid4 will have a standard turbo diesel engine mated to an electric motor situated at the rear of the car, which will be able to churn out around 200bhp sent to all four wheels.

The 508 will be available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, with fuel saving technologies such as a start and stop system. The interior comes with hi-tech features which uses "high quality materials" both "visually and to the touch". The 508 will begin production in Rennes, France from next year, with Peugeot also having plans to produce the car in China from next year.