A fresh report out of Australia suggests a high-performance Peugeot 508 R is being developed to take on the likes of the Audis S4 and Mercedes-AMG C43, as well as the upcoming BMW M340i.
According to motoring.com.au, a “senior insider” at Peugeot confirmed the 508 R would draw its urge from the brand’s new plug-in hybrid powertrain.
“In the future, we won’t have a powerful engine without electrical assistance,” the insider told the Australian publication, which speculated two powerful electric motors would be used in conjunction with the familiar 1,6-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The source also suggested the 508 R would employ all-wheel drive, with motoring.com.au predicting a zero to 100 km/h time of “around 4,5 seconds”.
Meanwhile, Peugeot design chief Gilles Vidal virtually confirmed the automaker would eventually offer “sportier versions of the 508”.
“I don’t think it would take much [for the 508] to become a hot sedan. You don’t need to go crazy [with design],” he added.
Vidal also revealed the high-performance would not wear the GTi badge.
“You couldn’t name this a GTi. It relates to small cars like the 208 and 308. It sounds funny to put a badge like this on a big car,” Vidal said.
