Peugeot Laps The Prius

A few months ago, I wrote about a concept car which Peugeot showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. It was going to emit small levels of CO2, sip diesel, rather than drink it, and have more power than Ferdinand Piech. Everyone was sceptical as concepts rarely turn out they way they were planned once marketing, accountants and managers have had their way with the car. Well, something funny happened….

ShutterVoice.com reports that Peugeot has unveiled their latest car, the Peugeot 508. It’ll replace the 407 and 607. Peugeot is aiming for the car to have a CO2 emission of 99g/km (the same as a first generation Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion) and a fuel consumption of 3.9l/100km (72mpg, imperial). The car will go on sale next year, 2011, but be officially debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October. The car will use PSA’s HYbrid4 powertrain, which will produce 200bhp and give the car a truly hybrid 4 wheel drive: The ICE will be powering the front two wheels, the electric motor will be spinning the rear two. Sound familiar? It should do. It’s the same powertrain which will power the New Ford Focus RS. In addition to the diesel hybrid powertrain, it will also have an e-HDi Start and Stop system to further aid fuel economy. But before you NA piston heads start salivating all over this car, don’t hold your breath (well, do – it restricts the salivation.) Where doesn’t PSA do business? That’s right, North America. There could be a glimmer of hope. Due to PSA’s close ties with Mitsubishi (insert one of Bertel’s twisted pictures of women tied up), they could licence the technology to close friends. How would a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a HYbrid4 powertrain grab you…?

We know who will definitely get the 508: The Chinese. The Peugeot 508 will make its official debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show this October, will be launched to the European market in the first quarter of next year, and then be introduced to the China market in mid-2011, reports Gasgoo. The car will be be produced in China next year at the Dongfeng-PSA joint venture.