Peugeot 508: Subtle step towards premium class

Peugeot 508. Photo / Supplied

For a car whose predecessor's calling card was jaw-dropping style (not necessarily in a good way), the Peugeot 508 is an astonishingly subtle sedan.

Design maturity, an attempt to find a wider market - call it what you will, Peugeot's new styling template leans a lot more towards German elegance than French experimental art.

Perhaps a little too much so, in some respects. The 508 is an undeniably sophisticated-looking car, especially in the aluminium silver of our test vehicle. But in case you hadn't noticed, this is the range-topping GT version, which has a larger 2.2-litre engine, bespoke double-wishbone front suspension and extra cabin equipment. At $65,990, it costs $11,000 more than the 2.0-litre Allure.

Hate to sound superficial, but will the neighbours notice? The GT has a small badge on the left of the grille and one-size-up 19-inch alloy wheels. That's about it appearance-wise. The GT is not one for the status-conscious.

It is a superb machine, though. The larger engine gives 150kW/450Nm - an extra 30kW/90Nm over the standard car - which serves up an immediately noticeable lift in performance. It lacks refinement at low speed but you can't argue with the power/torque delivery. Unusually for a French car with two pedals, I'm not even going to complain about the transmission, because the six-speeder is smooth and sensibly calibrated. The gearing is long but the torque can take it - with a good result for fuel economy, too. The combined figure of 5.7 litres per 100km is just 0.8 litres more than the 2.0-litre version.

A different front suspension design might seem extravagant for a single variant, but I totally approve - it justifies that GT badge and reminds us all that once upon a time, Peugeot really cared about ride and handling. Maybe it does again.

That's "GT" for Grand Touring, mind. The double-wishbone architecture (other 508s have simple struts) doesn't make this flagship 508 super-sporty. But it does bring the GT a very confident turn-in stance and an ability to flow through corners. Keen drivers will be delighted, yet it's not aggressive enough to upset the family.

Inside, the GT gains a colour head-up display, higher-quality leather and a massage function/memory for the power-adjustable driver's seat. The head-up display is a waste of time - a flimsy, pop-up Perspex affair like that on the 3008, located at the bottom of the windscreen where it's of least use.

So this is not a car that converts that extra purchase cash into cabin goodies. Even the regular 508 gets high-end stuff such as multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry/start, quad-zone climate air conditioning, bi-Xenon directional headlights and automatic headlights/wipers.

Quality in this (or any other) 508 is outstanding, with soft-touch materials and elegant design in abundance. But the ergonomics remain haphazard - I can't help but think that 43 individual buttons on the dashboard/console centre section alone suggests a bit of a rethink is in order.

But that's not a dealbreaker when the rest of the car is so well-considered. Peugeot is always banging on about breaking into the premium class, but the 508 is a pretty convincing step towards that goal.

The bottom line:

Marginal gains in looks/equipment don't justify the extra $11,000 for the GT version - but the extra performance and more fluid handling do.

Alternatives:

Alfa Romeo 159 JTD Ti $69,990
Audi A4 2.7 TDI $81,900
Ford Mondeo Titanium $54,990
Volkswagen Passat TDI 125kW $57,000
Volvo S60 D5 AWD $71,990