Peugots Falcon Commodore Rival. And its DIESEL!!!

[csv8]

First drive: Peugeot's new Commodore rival
Richard Blackburn
July 15, 2011 - 9:01AM

Large cars may be a dying breed, but Peugeot's happy for its 508 to invade Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon turf.

At first glance, the new Peugeot 508 appears to be a car in no-man's land.

It's a replacement for both the 407 mid-sized car and Peugeot's 607 flagship and it's classified as a large car, yet its main competitors are the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Mondeo.

Peugeot general manager, Ken Thomas, says the company is comfortable with the car being classified as a large car, and says he expects it to attract traditional large car buyers, especially those who get to choose their company car.

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"We're finding a lot of customers, particularly in the fleet market, who don't want to compromise the size of their vehicle. They still want a large car. You've got a lot of guys who still have needs, who are travelling big distances and maybe have a multipurpose use for them on weekends. They want a traditional family-sized car, either a sedan or wagon,” he says.

The new 508 sedan certainly has a traditional family-size look about it. The love-it-or-hate-it gaping mouth grill of previous Peugeots has given way to a far more conservative look that borders on plain from some angles. The wagon, on the other hand, is an eye-catcher, with a streamlined, sporty profile.

Inside, the 508 continues what has been a renaissance of sorts in Peugeot cabins in recent years. There's still the odd ill-fitting panel, but the stylish chrome-rimmed dials with white backlighting combine with a classy digital trip computer display on the instrument panel to convey a prestige feel.

That's backed up by the ambient lighting through the cabin, soft-touch materials on the dash, leather seats, frosted chrome door handles and a piano-black finish on the centre console.

The prestige look is complemented by an impressive amount of equipment on the Allure and GT models we sampled.

The Allure, which for the moment is only available as a diesel with a starting price of $42,990 plus on-roads, has four-zone air conditioning with controls for the back seat passengers, Bluetooth with audio streaming and a USB plug, a smart key, an electric park brake, parking sensors and a parking assistant that uses sensors to measure whether a parallel parking spot is big enough for the car.

The wagon is $3000 more and gets a panoramic sunroof that covers most of the roof, while the top-of-the range $52,990 GT gets a more powerful diesel engine, revised front suspension and a colour head-up display.

Bi-xenon headlights with adaptive beams cost an extra $2000. The headlights use a camera to detect oncoming cars and dim the high beams.

Satellite navigation is also an option, costing $1500 on both models.

Safety is taken care of with six airbags and stability control on all models.

The 508 doesn't have the rear seat acreage to compete with a Commodore or even a Skoda Superb, but it does have a decent amount of rear leg and head room for a mid-sized sedan (its 100mm longer than the outgoing 407). A big boot with a ski port and split-fold access qualifies the sedan as a genuine family hauler, while the wagon's load area is equally generous with the rear seats folded flat. Not so generous is the cubby-hole storage space. The glovebox is small, the centre console even smaller.

We drove the Allure model first and it felt solid and composed for the most part, although it prefers sweeping bends to hairpin turns. It demonstrated impressive grip on the patchy wet surfaces encountered on the drive program through Victoria's Black Spur, but the lazy steering and soft suspension detracted from the enjoyment factor on tighter turns. The ride at high speeds was comfortable and the car settled reassuringly after bumps.

The 2.0-litre diesel, which puts out 120kW and 340Nm of torque, was quiet, refined and delivered respectable performance, although the six-speed transmission, if left in normal mode, was a little too eager to change up a gear at times. On tighter, twistier roads it was better to switch to sport mode, which held gears longer and kept the engine in its sweet spot better. There are also paddles, for those who would rather pick their own gears. Fuel consumption is a claimed 5.7 litres per 100km.

The 2.2-litre diesel in the GT is a more potent unit, putting out 150kW and 450Nm of torque, but using exactly the same amount of fuel according to Peugeot figures. The company says the smaller four-cylinder offers better performance than the old 2.7-litre V6 in the 607 (and now in the Ford Territory) while reducing CO2 emissions by 33 per cent. It's certainly a punchy unit. There's a bit of lag off the mark as the turbo spools up, but in-gear acceleration is impressive. The more powerful engine and sports-tuned double-wishbone front suspension make the GT a far more involving prospect on a country road. It sits flatter through corners and turns in more eagerly at speed. The suspension does, however, feel a bit busy at slower speeds on patchy surfaces.

Peugeot will add a fuel-sipping smaller capacity diesel and a turbocharged petrol engine to the range later this year, and the latter model will be priced aggressively at $36,990 plus on-roads. The company is predicting a modest 1000 sales a year for the 508, so it's hardly going to have Ford and Holden quaking in their boots. Its combination of a classy cabin and a reasonably sharp price may, however, prove a tempting alternative to the established mid-sized Euro and Japanese sedans.

[HULK EF]

2.2TD stats look pretty good..

[mrghia]

I would rather a Kia optima this looks a little dull

[2011G6E]

Nice. Should have a few odd touches like any other French car, but that's part of the charm of them.

I do notice it's got the same "droop nose" stance of a lot of new cars...the FG Falcon included...which is required for pedestrian safety regulations in a lot of the world. I'm surprised the Commodore sells overseas so well as it's got a more "upright" nose than the Falcon.

[Mr Hardware]

i don't think there's anyone in the world who is a falcon/commodore buyer who would go, yeah, i think a frogmobile will be a sensible alternative yeah

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

i don't think there's anyone in the world who is a falcon/commodore buyer who would go, yeah, i think a frogmobile will be a sensible alternative yeah

What he said ^^

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

i don't think there's anyone in the world who is a falcon/commodore buyer

Edited for truth.

I think Ford and Holden would be shaking in their boots that theres another competitor stepping into the arena, Ford have a hard enough time selling the Falcon as it is with just the Commodore.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Edited for truth.

I think Ford and Holden would be shaking in their boots that theres another competitor stepping into the arena, Ford have a hard enough time selling the Falcon as it is with just the Commodore.

looking at the profit taking (or lack of it)earlier for the commy i suspect they would be in the same boat.

[GS608]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Edited for truth.

I think Ford and Holden would be shaking in their boots that theres another competitor stepping into the arena, Ford have a hard enough time selling the Falcon as it is with just the Commodore.

Lol do you honestly think that Ford or Holden buyers would swap their XR6T or SS for a TD frogmobile? If so you are delusional.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 5.0

Lol do you honestly think that Ford or Holden buyers would swap their XR6T or SS for a TD frogmobile? If so you are delusional.

Who said anything about swapping? Its about potential customers.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Originally Posted by 5.0

Lol do you honestly think that Ford or Holden buyers would swap their XR6T or SS for a TD frogmobile? If so you are delusional.

People from this forum maybe not but ask the real world and you will be suprised I recon.

Alot of wifes out their driving what their husbands have suggested to buy.

[2011G6E]

I think it probably hurts a few people to know that there are other countries that can screw together a competant and well put together large car. I don't mean America...most of thier cars are "built to a price", and it shows. European stuff is a different kettle of fish.

As for front drive, I too used to be of the opinion that the only car is a rear-drive car...but as motoring writers say, today you would be hard-pressed to pick the difference. I'll qualify that: 90% of drivers wouldn't pick the difference, and probably 99% would never even think to ask "is this front wheel drive?"...it just doesn't come into the equation when someone is asking about cars features. I drive my sons new Aurion, and I have to admit that while it's got that "just a lump of car" styling and the interior could be a bit less bland, the seats are very nice, the ride quiet, and the overtaking very good. Gone are the old torque steer days of yore when you could immediately pick a front wheel drive by the savage tug on the wheel when you floor it.
Not everyone drives around and tries to spin the back wheels or hang the rear out...the simply vast majority of drivers just want a car that's comfortable, steers nicely, and stops safely with a few good features.

if they can manage to price a car like this well without it being artifically inflated by taxes, it should do well.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by FreddyDUZ747

Alot of wifes out their driving what their husbands have suggested to buy.

i'd have thought the other way around

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by 5.0

Lol do you honestly think that Ford or Holden buyers would swap their XR6T or SS for a TD frogmobile? If so you are delusional.

Over the last few years, 4000 commodore buyers a month have swapped their buys for another car, and a few thousand falcon buyers have done the same. I guess a few years ago, people would have been saying the same thing you are now.

However, with the level of discounting being offered on the Commodore and Falcon ranges, and the high percentage that go to fleets, I assume that the release of a new rival (no matter how small), would rank at about number 78 on their list of worries.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Over the last few years, 4000 commodore buyers a month have swapped their buys for another car, and a few thousand falcon buyers have done the same. I guess a few years ago, people would have been saying the same thing you are now.

However, with the level of discounting being offered on the Commodore and Falcon ranges, and the high percentage that go to fleets, I assume that the release of a new rival (no matter how small), would rank at about number 78 on their list of worries.

Large car sales have gone down in volume as Small and mid sized SUVs have increased,
IMO, Ford screwed the pooch by not staying on top of Territory and Ranger updates,
these are two very important growth sectors where Ford should be selling their heads off...
After all, Geoff Polites strategy was to following former station wagon owners into SUVs
and was more than a little emotional a few years back regarding the lack of a diesel Territory...

We all miss that great man of vision...

[csv8]

There is also the Renault Latitude!!! Similar vehicle, built by Samsung!!

[ebxr8240]

Companies are looking hard at fuel bills..
They MAY think a diesel is a better option ??
Euro cars just don't seem to have a good auto
like Falcon / Commodore or even the Jap cars...

[Supercharged]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Companies are looking hard at fuel bills..
They MAY think a diesel is a better option ??
Euro cars just don't seem to have a good auto
like Falcon / Commodore or even the Jap cars...

Maybe but would the Peugots get to where you need to go, their reliability is rubbish.

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by Supercharged

Maybe but would the Peugots get to where you need to go, their reliability is rubbish.

Having had one for the last 5 years and 101,000kms now, yes, they are reliable. Couple little of electrical gremlins at the start whilst under warranty, but apart from that, she gets us from A to B and back again no worries.

[Danny]

I would say this car is more a compeditor to VW Passat, 3 Series beemer, Mondeo TDCi Titanium and the like. Falcon and Commodore are in an Aussie built world of their own.

Originally Posted by Supercharged

Maybe but would the Peugots get to where you need to go, their reliability is rubbish.

Stating as fact? Based on what experience?

Originally Posted by 5.0

nobody is going to cross shop a sexy performance car against an ugly looking TD frogmobile.

Yawn.

Typical neanderthal responses to every French car thread, showing more often that those hanging off the lowest intellectual rung open their mouths far too often.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Danny

I would say this car is more a compeditor to VW Passat, 3 Series beemer, Mondeo TDCi Titanium and the like. Falcon and Commodore are in an Aussie built world of their own.



Stating as fact? Based on what experience?



Yawn.

Typical neanderthal responses to every French car thread, showing more often that those hanging off the lowest intellectual rung open their mouths far too often.

Top Gear quality surveys always have the PSA built cars dead last, and their reputation for quality isn't good. JD power surveys also back this up.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Top Gear quality surveys always have the PSA built cars dead last, and their reputation for quality isn't good. JD power surveys also back this up.

Ohh, you mean these pointless surveys that contradict each other and mirror the results every year.

[billy302]

I'm not showing this to my wife. She will tell me she wants one.

[GS608]

Ok..same difference mate..you would not cross shop those cars..maybe a Ford Mondeo Titanium TD but XR6/T and SV6, SS are safe..nobody is going to cross shop a sexy performance car against an ugly looking TD frogmobile.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 5.0

Ok..same difference mate..you would not cross shop those cars..maybe a Ford Mondeo Titanium TD but XR6/T and SV6, SS are safe..nobody is going to cross shop a sexy performance car against an ugly looking TD frogmobile.

I completely agree, but you'd cross shop against a base model XR6.

[mcnamg]

Many people who buy large cars are not enthusiasts they just need the space and dont want an SUV so if they see a percieved premium alternative for similar money I can definately see people moving from Ford/Holden to these look at how many people buy Camries that used to buy Ford/Holden.

Not everyone cares about 0-100 or Horsepower

[Road_Warrior]

Saying this is targeted at the Commodore and Falcon is a bit of a misnomer. The Toyota Aurion on the other hand, well, if I were Toyota i'd be a bit concerned...so too with the entry level Audi and VW sedans.

[sgt_doofey]

I own a Pug (307 wagon), but wouldn't buy one of these over the Falcon. The 307 had a much higher level of standard features over the Falcon at the time of purchase (2006), but they're pretty much on par these days, so it would be difficult to look past the Falcon to the 508. The only real advantage the Pug would have is diesel, but the EcoBoost and LiLPG should (hopefully) see to that.

[kpcart]

2.0td family car 120kw and 340nm
similar specs to 4.1 family car in 80s (falcon)
half the size engine and fuel is only 5.7l/100km instead of 16l/100km

still i wouldnt give my money to the french. everything they make is overpriced, as they feel they are a class above everyone else, which doesnt work in this modern world. look at champaigne (french wine). its priced the way it is because it is from champaigne is france, and is supposedly high class. yet you can buy better australian sparkling wine for 1/4 the price. (try yellowglen or other moderate price aussie sparkling side by side with moet, have someone pour the wine into glasses and do a blind test, you will get a huge surprise) french resteraunts, patisseries etc, yes they are nice, but overpriced. I teach music in a rich western suburbs boys school in perth. all the kids are forced to learn french, to keep up this upper-class french stereotype, and all the kids HATE learning it. it makes me laugh seeing the french teacher stressed everyday because none of the kids take the subject seriously and just muck around in class!

[jpd80]

The 2.2-litre diesel in the GT is a more potent unit, putting out 150kW and 450Nm of torque, but using exactly the same amount of fuel according to Peugeot figures. The company says the smaller four-cylinder offers better performance than the old 2.7-litre V6 in the 607 (and now in the Ford Territory) while reducing CO2 emissions by 33 per cent.

Technology marches on, the PSA TCDI 2.2 I-4 that's also used in Euro Mondeo
is an impressive unit and certainly produces the goods with 150 Kw and 450 nm...