The Peugeot 508 loses its plug-in hybrid engines by the restyling planned for this summer. Could this be the end of the PSE version, with low sales? We take stock.
Appearing in 2018, the second-generation Peugeot 508 arrives at mid-career. Its sales figures have plummeted over the years, falling to 3,747 copies in 2022. Pending the restyling, which will arrive in June 2023 according to our sources, the sedan and the station wagon continue their career with a reduced range.
Indeed, Peugeot has decided to temporarily stop the marketing of plug-in hybrid versions of the 508 and 508 SW, an engine that is nevertheless popular with companies. The Hybrid 225 version has completely disappeared from the configurator, while the 360 hp PSE sports version is still displayed on the Peugeot site but redirects to an “Error 404” page when selected.
The 508 and 508 SW therefore remain for the moment marketed in thermal only, with 130 hp PureTech petrol and 130 hp BlueHDi diesel. Both engines must be associated with an EAT8 automatic gearbox. Obviously, customers interested in a 508 PHEV can fall back on copies in stock at their dealership. But the stock should be relatively limited to last until the summer.
The premature end of the PSE label?
Does this temporary stoppage of the PHEV (back in June with the restyling, therefore) mark the end of the PSE label? This one, launched with the 508 with the aim of offering electrified sports versions after the discontinuation of the GTIs in 2020, could well end prematurely. Indeed, despite a nice start with a cap of 2000 copies reached quickly, the blown quickly fell for the only model representing the young Lion label.
In 2022, Peugeot thus sold 314 units of the 508 PSE and 508 SW PSE in France. Blame it on a niche product, certainly offering 360 hp (like the DS7 and DS9) and around forty kilometers of electric range thanks to an 11.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. But above all to a very expensive product: €71,170 for the sedan and €72,470 for the station wagon. A salty price, close to a 374 hp BMW M340i xDrive (from €72,800) or a 381 hp Mercedes C-Class 400e (from €70,800).
Photos : DR.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
New Peugeot 508: we finally know when it will be renewed
The Peugeot 508 PSE against the Audi S5 Sportback and BMW M340i Touring
Peugeot 508 Hybrid 225 test: test and opinion over 2,000 km
