Peugeot 508 RXH (2012)

Peugeot 508 RXH

Diesel-electric hybrid and distinctive ‘high-end’ appeal combine to offer an original view of the world of all-wheel drive vehicles with enhanced driving pleasure: introducing the new Peugeot 508 RXH.

RXH demonstrates the modern, enhanced ‘top-of-the-range’ vision for Peugeot, and has its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The style of the 508 RXH and its innovative HYbrid4 drive unit provides features that allow it to combine new levels of driving freedom and pleasure in a form not seen before in its segment:

• 200 bhp
• ZEV - 100% electric mode
• Four-wheel drive
• CO2 emissions of 109 g/km

After the successful launch of the 508 Saloon and SW in spring 2011, where they were highly acclaimed for their styling elegance, on-the-road presence, high levels of build quality, and attention to detail, the 508 RXH further elevates the profile of the entire Peugeot brand reinforcing its technological and environmental leadership.

The 508 RXH has a road presence and specific design that immediately places it in the environment of ‘top-level’ all-road vehicles. Unique, refined, higher, and wider, it is also distinguished by a singular visual identity, characterized by its distinctive LED daytime running lights that give an impression of having three vertical ‘lion claws’ on each side of its ‘floating’ grille, the combined style of which is all the more striking.

To reinforce its exclusive character, the interior of the 508 RXH benefits from special features with distinctive colors and the use of luxurious materials.

Its unique level of finish and equipment is coherent with the ‘top-of-the-range’ and technological positioning of the vehicle. Richly equipped as standard with electric front seats, head-up display, 18" wheels, panoramic glass roof, dark-tinted acoustic laminated side windows, half leather trim, head-up display, latest generation audio, and satellite navigation RXH welcomes its occupants with care, refinement, and a high level of comfort features.

Equipped with the 2.0 l HDi FAP HYbrid4 powertrain, a world first when featured in the 3008 HYbrid4, the diesel-electric hybrid in the 508 RXH extends driving freedom and pleasure to traverse all roads. With a maximum power of 147 kW (200 bhp), four-wheel drive, and a maximum torque of 450 Nm, the 508 RXH has been designed to adapt to all uses, in a wide spectrum of conditions. Furthermore, it opens up new perspectives in the segment, offering a ZEV (100% electric) mode, ideal for driving in town and capable of delivering, in the Combined Drive Cycle, 67.2 mpg with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.

Following the launch of the 3008 HYbrid4 in the autumn, the Peugeot Marque continues its innovative strategy, combining enhanced driving sensations and advanced environmental developments by extending HYbrid4 technology to other models.

The 508 RXH will be unveiled as a world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 2011 and goes on sale in spring 2012.

Peugeot 508 RXH

The 508 RXH represents the new, up-market positioned Peugeot. It sees the launch of an identity that combines the traditional designation of Peugeot models, incorporating the central zero, and three letters that characterize the Marques specialist vehicles. This new model both heads up and extends the 508 range, with an original design silhouette, justifying its exclusive designation – RXH.

A distinctive appeal

The 508 RXH styling has its distinctive character within the 508 range. Its elegance and style place it immediately in an exclusive world that combines premium positioning, and technology with the ability to experience adventure and promises of a new and unparalleled driving experience.

With a 40 mm wider track and its height increased by 50 mm, this new Peugeot has an individual stance, without sacrificing the characteristics of the 508 range - poise, elegance, and status. The use of new, 18” forged wheel rims allowed designers to create a very fine wheel design with an internal diameter increased by 10 mm in comparison with conventional wheel rims. The result is a dynamic and elegantly enhanced body style.

Its adventurous side profile is illustrated through the bodywork extensions in satin stealth grey that envelope the lower body of the car. From the bottom of the front bumper, the line extends over the wheel arches, along the sill panels to meet the rear bumper. The choice of the satin trim finishers contributes to positioning this estate car within a refined world, as do the satin chrome inserts, with 'HYbrid4' badging, that adorns the sill panel, and front and rear protective trims. Fully integrated, they reflect the integrity applied to the cohesive design of the 508 RXH.

This individual personality is more striking at the front end, which has become even more expressive while maintaining the strength of the brand’s new style aesthetics. Accompanying a wider and taller body silhouette, the grille is extended on its lower edge. More strikingly, the new grille accentuates the illusion that it is ‘floating’ within the aperture. To achieve this, designers have taken influence from aviation reference points, notably taking inspiration from aircraft jet engine cowls. The air, therefore, seems to be well-channeled around the grille, which stands out distinctly from the bonnet line.

Its distinctive style lines give the 508 RXH a very individual visual identity. It is the first Peugeot to use the iconic theme of the ‘claw’ on the front. Its LED daytime running lights illuminate to form three ‘lion claws’, instantly recognizable by day and by night to reinforce the characteristic ‘feline’ appearance of the headlamps. This unique and dynamic signature is complemented by the illumination of seven orange LEDs, from within the LED tube which is an original directional indicator function.

Like the 508 SW, the lines flow together harmoniously and dynamically, falling back to a rear that is well seated on its haunches. The extensive panoramic glass roof has the benefit of being a continuation of the windscreen, with the profiled aluminum roof bars merging with the bodywork to enhance the exclusivity of the car. In this spirit, there are flush surfaces, highlighted by its high build quality finish. At the rear, the lights portray an elegant red band that glows brightly when the lights are on.

Refined interior styling and technology

The styling of the dashboard is centered heavily around the qualities evoked by the exterior design of the vehicle, with continued illustrations of high quality, purity, elegance, etc. Its design supports a multiplex center console with switchgear that is equipped with technology designed to provide easy control of a host of features.

This purity and simplicity of design and integration are best demonstrated on the HYbrid4 drive mode selection knob and the gear selector lever. It has a design that combines the traditional gear selector lever and a computer mouse called the 'manettino' - it fits perfectly into this pure and technological environment.

White backlighting is available throughout the 508 RXH interior (on the instrument panel, displays, and the various lighting zones within the car), showing great care in detail and finish. It is this and the attention to detail that illustrates the hallmarks of the latest Peugeot range.

The car’s internal trim and decor have been created in harmony, evoking elegance without ostentation. The use of natural materials and colors, sometimes exclusively, enhances the distinctive character of the 508 RXH. Brushed aluminum and shaded lacquers are used on the dashboard for the first time in this way. A spectacular treatment in keeping with the electricity supplied by HYbrid4 technology, this decor is specified in tinted shades of copper. This theme, again unprecedented, is subtly continued throughout the interior with matching trim stitching in this copper shade. The exterior is also themed with a copper color theme through the coloring of the lock tumblers in Calern Brown, a shade exclusive to the 508 RXH.

The choice of light-colored Alcantara leather and an innovative laser-printed fabric creates a two-tone upholstery that reinforces the refined image of the car. Depending on preference, the customer may opt for a full leather or half-leather upholstery.

A generously-proportioned, high-quality boot

In keeping with the vehicle’s interior, the boot of the 508 RXH has been fitted out with care, using materials that continue to reflect a high level of quality with the materials specified. The aluminum rails and four solid chrome hooks elegantly decorate the functional boot floor, while a loading sill guard in the same material offers protection for the rugged ‘adventurer’ potential of this new Peugeot.

The 508 RXH boot has a capacity of 423 liters beneath the parcel shelf (or 400 dm3 by the VDA 210 standard). Its rectangular shape, with a motorized tailgate, and the storage compartments located under the flat floor (11 liters) make it easy to use. It is also possible to compartmentalize the boot using partition bars available as accessories, which attach to the aluminum rails inside the boot.

Finally, the loading volume can be increased easily by folding the 1/3 – 2/3 split rear bench seat in a single movement.

Enhancement through technological equipment

The 508 RXH is offered in a single trim finish, generously equipped, with its distinctive high-end positioning. All of the high-tech equipment available either as standard or as an option accentuates its exclusive character: ‘Open and Go’ Stop Start, Colour Head-Up Display (that includes the display of the navigation system information), main beam headlamps assistance, automatic electric parking brake, new telematics, JBL hi-fi stereo, Peugeot Connect SOS and Assistance, Xenon lights, etc.

A high level of comfort

Quality of comfort aboard the 508 RXH has been the focus of particular care to ensure that each passenger can benefit from individual treatment. In addition to the generous space given to each seat, notably in the rear with excellent leg room and the panoramic glass roof, dedicated equipment allows everyone to have a high level of comfort: quad-zone air conditioning, driver’s seat electric lumbar massage, electrically-adjustable driver and passenger seats with adjustable cushion edge and laminated acoustic rear side windows for road noise reduction, etc.

Benchmark for road handling

The suspension and wheel design also contribute to onboard comfort: with a Pseudo-McPherson type front axle and specific HYbrid4 technology, modular multi-arm rear axle. While cleverly incorporating the hybrid architecture and taking into account a new weight distribution, the Peugeot engineers have retained the recognized dynamic characteristics of the 508 range with an excellent synthesis of suspension comfort, light steering, and good handling. The 508 RXH is one of the latest generations of vehicles that expresses driving pleasure, due to its Peugeot chassis 'genetics' and full diesel hybrid technology.

HYbrid4 technology: A logical combination

Offering the 508 RXH with an HYbrid4 technology powertrain that combines diesel and electric motors, is a logical choice primarily because it provides a level of functionality that is perfectly matched to the various customer expectations in this segment:

• High performance combined with first-rate handling;
• Freedom to travel on all roads with confidence, with all-wheel drive;
• Ease of use with four unique drive modes available (Zero Emission Vehicle, 4WD, Sport, Auto) and battery charging which is carried out automatically;
• Quiet operation, with the ability to drive in the all-electric (ZEV) mode.

The next generation enhances driving emotion

HYbrid4 technology also opens up new perspectives in the segment with a breakthrough in improved fuel consumption - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of less than 109 g/km in the Combined Drive Cycle with a completely silent electric mode with zero emissions; ideal for driving around town efficiently.

In terms of performance, 508 RXH benefits from the efficiency and power of its internal combustion engine combined with the electric motor during acceleration phases for an immediate increase in power (the ‘boost’ function maximizes performance and available power in the Sport mode). The maximum combined power can reach 147 kW (200bhp) by combining the 120 kW (163 bhp) from the 2.0 l HDi FAP diesel engine and the ‘on-demand’ peak power of the 27 kW (37 bhp) electric motor. Up to 300 Nm of torque is delivered to the front wheels by the HDi diesel unit and up to 200 Nm to the rear wheels with the electric motor. The maximum combined value however is 450 Nm at lower road speeds, which guarantees excellent traction in most driving conditions including low-grip surfaces like snow and dirt roads, providing customers of this all-wheel drive estate car to comfortably go much further than ever before.