Peugeot is moving on with the times by looking to
expand the current 508 lineup with a plug-in hybrid version. The car will reportedly combine a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol
engine driving the front wheels with a rear-mounted electric motor powering the
rear axle.
Assisted by a starter/generator motor, the internal
combustion unit will probably deliver approximately 200 PS,
whereas the electric motor should give it an additional 100 PS.
The latter will take its juice from a lithium-ion battery, located beneath the
boot floor, which should allow it to travel on electricity alone for roughly
50 km.
Thanks to clever packaging, the extra gear added to
the rumored 508 PHEV won’t affect cabin practicality or boot space, regardless
if it’s the fastback or estate model. The British publication estimates that
the ICE could channel the output to the front axle via an eight-speed automatic
transmission, while the electric motor should send power directly to the rear
wheels with direct drive reduction gearing.
This layout won’t be kept solely for the 508, as the
French automaker will reportedly expand it to other vehicles underpinned by the
same EMP2 platform, with the best candidates being the 3008 and 5008 SUVs.
Peugeot is also rumored to launch yet another
version of the new 508, powered by the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder
engine of the 308 GTi. This model could premiere in early October at the 2018
Paris Auto Show.
