Talking about Peugeot’s 508 plug-in hybrid fastback sedan, recently joining the impressive pure petrol model I talked of last weekend. Priced at $76,990, $17,150 more, one would expect the plug-in hybrid to offer some real benefits.

Disappointingly it offers little, Peugeot Australia suggesting it’s the company’s first step towards electrification. And herein lies the problem – this plug-in 508 hybrid is a transitional model – with technology moving quickly to full electrification meaning it will soon be dated.

Resale on this 508 Hybrid will be huge question mark. So what does it offer for $17,150 more – a detuned 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine linked to an 81 kW electric motor fed by a 11.8kWh battery providing an electric range of 55km.  The pure electric performance brisk, smooth and quiet however from my charging over 7 hours I could only gain 34 km of range.

Regenerative braking provides partial charging on the overrun and whilst braking. The drive experience impressive but limited in distance on pure electric power. I simply don’t see the cost benefits with such limited range. The battery under the floor also weighs a hefty 300 kilos.

For my money I’d stay with the impressive pure petrol 508 fastback – you can do a lot of motoring for $17,000. Standard warranty 5-years unlimited km, Battery warranty 8- years/160,000 km.

I’m David Berthon.

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