Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 HDi 200 4-dr Review: Touring diesel

What we like:

Elegant design coupled with excellent power

torque and handling.

What we dislike:

Cubby hole in the centre console is too small to be useful.

Power in the large estate is quite impressive for something this large. This is no doubt aided by the significant amount of torque from the oil burning turbocharged 2.2 HDi under the bonnet. Producing 200bhp and 450Nm of torque, this large estate gets quite peppy once you shove it in the 2000rpm torque band. Overtaking slower traffic on the expressway is a cinch with much of work done by the torque on tap.

Mated to Peugeot’s own 6-speed torque converter automatic, the shifting is smooth and precise and surprisingly quick when you decide to do some DIY cog shifting through the paddles or gear selector. Most enjoyable is when the ‘S’ mode is activated and transmission selects the right gears to keep you in the meaty portion of the torque band. Although a little slow compared to the rest of the industry, Peugeot has opted not to buy a dual clutch cog box from one of the top transmission manufacturers and are building their own.

Despite being the largest Pug in the model range, the drive in the 508 is quite sublime. Unlike the non GT versions, this 508 GT gets a double wishbone suspension in the front compared to struts in non GT cars. What this translates to is its sublime handling in the corners and excellent supple damping when travelling over bumps (especially expressway expansion gaps).

In the corners, the big Pug’s hydraulic steering rack is accurate but lacks steering feel and is still a little clinical.

The appeal of this large diesel is obvious and will attract owners who enjoy regular road trips up North. With a claimed range of 1224 kilometres, taking the family to Penang and back on a single tank would be effortless.

And with the $5,000 CEVS rebate, the big Pug is now going for $191,800.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline