Peugeot 508 RXH for Oz
Large French wagon is ready to head for Australia but not as a hybridPeugeot is ready to press the button on 508 RXH production for Australia, although it won’t be hybrid version.
Confusingly, Peugeot has two 508 RXH models — the diesel RXH and diesel-electric RXH HYbrid4 — and it is the former that will be ready to head out way once local importer Sime Darby has crunched the numbers with Peugeot head office.
Speaking to motoring.com.au at the Paris motor show last week, Peugeot 508 brand manager Michel Gombaud explained that some countries were interested in the non-hybrid RXH — and it seems Australia is among them.
“We are going to commercialise a BlueHDi with six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive only. Production starts in November and production is available for the Australian market.”
Peugeot’s Hybrid4 technology has been an on-again, off-again proposition for Australia since 2012.
Local importer Sime Darby in 2012 cited the lack of hot-climate testing of the hybrid powertrain as a sticking point for bringing in the HYbrid4 versions of 3008 and 508. The hybrid models are only sold in cooler, northern-hemisphere markets.
More recently Sime Darby chief John Startari told motoring.com.au the cost of servicing infrastructure for the hybrid models could not be justified given low sales volumes expectations.
The 508 RXH BlueHDi is powered by the new Euro 6 emissions-compliant 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 turbo-diesel engine, which develops 133kW and 400Nm.
Hooked up to the new Aisin-sourced AM6 III six-speed automatic, the RXH BlueHDi accelerates to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds and averages 4.6L/100km fuel consumption.
The 508 RXH HYbrid4 is powered by the 2.0 HDi 163 (with 120kW and 300Nm) and a 27kW electric motor. Acceleration to 100km/h is 8.8 seconds and average fuel consumption is 4.0L/100km.
A six-speed automated manual transfers the engine power to the front wheels and the rear wheels are powered by the electric motor.
Both RXH and RXH HYbrid4 have different front and rear bumper treatments to the 508 SW and also have side skirts and wheel-arch flares as part of their distinctive crossover-style exterior treatment.
The 508 RXH HYbrid4 accounts for just 14 per cent of 508 SW sales globally.
With the exception of RXH, the facelifted 508 sedan and wagon are confirmed for local launch in the first quarter next year.
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